I have an empty 20 gallon tank and I would love to keep cichlids. Are there any cichlid's that could live in a 20 gallon tank for life? I have always wanted cichlids but I always thought they needed large tanks like 50 gallons or more. The 20 gallon tank I have set up has been running for about 2 years and is established. I did have a baby bluegill in the tank (for about 3 or 4 days) but unfornately he jumped out of the tank. I'd be okay with just keeping one fish in the tank. The only cichlids I have kept before were bolivian rams so i'd like to try and keep something other than rams if possible. I am on a budget some unfornately money is a factor. I'd appreciate any suggestions.
what cichlid could go in a 20 gallon?
- Thread starter Flower1982
- Start date
I think a 20 would be fine for a breeding pair of certain dwarf cichlids, or a single specimen as part of a community tank setup. Let us know what you water is like so you can get better recommendations for a specific species.
I usually keep the temperature at around 78 degrees (it's set to about 74 to 75 degrees right now because of the bluegill I had)
I haven't tested my water lately. I'll test my water later tonight and let you know what the results are. Now the 20 gallon tank I have is a 20 high so I would imagine that would make a difference.
I haven't tested my water lately. I'll test my water later tonight and let you know what the results are. Now the 20 gallon tank I have is a 20 high so I would imagine that would make a difference.
Yes having a 20H changes things a little, not much though. Square inches(surface area/footprint) matters more than gallons(for most fish anyways) so having a twenty high means less space for the Cichlids to establish territories and have places to hide. I think it would still work with the right fish though.
I just tested my water and here are the results:
ph: between 7.0 and 7.2
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 10
temperature: 75
ph: between 7.0 and 7.2
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 10
temperature: 75
I would go for a pair of smiling Acara's, either Laetacara Dosrigera or Laetacara Curviceps. Both are beautiful and peaceful little fish who top out around 2 - 2 1/2 inches and are easy to keep and breed.
If you don't mind raising the pH of your water, you could have a very nice colony of multifasciatus shell dwellers.
I would love to have shell dwellers but I don't know if my pet store could get them in or not. I'll have to do some research on them to see how many
i wouldn't mind raising the ph. are they expensive? i don't have a big budget unformately.
Are smiling Acaras hard to find? they look really nice.
i wouldn't mind raising the ph. are they expensive? i don't have a big budget unformately.
Are smiling Acaras hard to find? they look really nice.
I have some juvie cutteri of various sizes from 1/2" fry to young adults on hand, one of those would be fine with the other fish in the 20 high for life. They're generally hardy fish, not inclined to hassle other species IME, males grow to about 5", females a bit smaller.
I would think apistos would also be an option, even though a 20L would be more ideal than a 20H.
But my vote will always go to shelldwellers given the option.
But my vote will always go to shelldwellers given the option.
