Starting new small cichlid tank, I want activity and color

[zachjohnson65]

I would like to set up a small tank(15-25g) for small colorful active cichlids. I know of rams and kribs but they don,t do it for me. I also know of shell dwellers but i do not like the idea of having anymore sand in my tanks. ( long story) I also would like to work with my current water conditions which are hard and alkline. Any ideas:read:

 

[Ruben Tolon]

Perhaps a pair of one of the smaller Julidochromis will look good in there.

 

[zachjohnson65]

they are the long and slender ones right.

 

[Jayhawk]

Yes, they're long and slender, like rockwork, don't need sand, and will even swim upside down if your rockwork has a ledge that sticks out.

You'd need the dwarf species - J. dickfeldi or J. ornatus or J. transciptus (kisse bamba is better than gombe which is really not a transcriptus).

Apistogramma borelli is really a fine looking fish - google some images and you might change your mind...they are OK with harder water, too. The same is true of Bolivian rams.

Eric

 

[zachjohnson65]

Could i also keep a sydontitis with them. I like to have atleast one cat in a tank. He is about 4". He really only out at night. I know that the julies like caves and so do sydontitis.

 

[Coler]

They're from the same lake. what kind of synodontis ?

 

[Ruben Tolon]

In a small tank I wouldn't really consider Synodontis, except possibly the common upside down cats.

 

[Coler]

yeah...the smallest native to tanganyika is petricola and that still gets to 5 inches...they are reasonably active too

 

[lucky777ca]

A smaller type of upside down catfish only get to 4" max (Synodontis nigriventris).

I would agree with the smaller julidochromis cichlids.

 

[newsom00]

once u have color get convicts

theyre awsome with colored fish