I'm creating a fish tank but need some help, especially with chiclids.

Question

I'm putting together my old retired 10 gallon eclipse fish tank for my new apartment. I love plants and big rocks so I'll probably have some sort of rock formation and live plants. What I need advice on is picking out the fish. I love chiclids because they are intelligent and active, but I know that its 10 gallons isn't ideal for them. I heard I could put a couple of blue rams or bolivian rams in a 10 gallon tank and they'd be all right. First of all, is this true? Secondly, is there any other pair of fish I could put in with them? I know its already pushing it with putting chiclids in a 10 gallon, but a tank with only two fish may get boring. Oh, and how about bottom feeders or algae eaters? Any advice?

Answer 1

If you want your fish to be happy, a 10 gallon and a pair of rams is really too little. If you want to try it though,  they prefer plants over rocks and do okay with community fish. Another option would be a single pair of kribs or any other shell cichlid. I wouldn't recommend bottom feeders except perhaps a small pleco or school of ottos. Cory cats are a bad idea because they will be bullied for territory. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

The problem you have here is that 10 gallons simply isn't enough space to allow larger number of fish to occupy and be safe.  It's like saying how many people can I cram in a studio apartment.

A couple of Rams should be ok in a 10, but you don't want to consider bottom feeders with only a 10 gallon footprint.  Normally in like a 20 or 30, which you could add more Rams, there's more sheer space and bottom feeders have a chance to take cover if Rams assert aggression.  In a 10 there's almost literally no where to run.

Algae eaters IMO are a total waste of time and tank space.  Algae really only is an issue if you are not doing water changes, cleaning out the substrate, and such.  You can well control algae by watching the lighting, keeping both phosphates and nitrates down with water changes, and avoiding any direct sunlight.  If you could get a larger set up, this would open up more options really.

Another fish you can consider for cichlids, are African Shell Dwellers which don't get but maybe 1 inch long as adults.

You cannot possibly keep Kribs with Rams in a 10 gallon tank.  This is totally irresponsible and lack of intelligence to even suggest that because there isn't enough footprint to keep them for one, and if that Krib pair is a male and female pair, when they spawn, you can kiss those Rams good bye.  Maybe if one would spell raising properly, there might be an influx of intelligence.  I've been breeding Africans and cichlids in general for some time now, and if needs be, I can call in some other more experienced cichlid keepers and let them give some input here.

Answer 3

well with the size rams get you could have more than 2 in a 10 gallon and for a cichlid they are quite peacefull you could also have a couple krbensis with the rams they to are peacefull and do not get very big and with the plants it would work well as far as an algae eater you would end up replaceing them regulary as they out grew the tank I don't think I would bother with on the plants will help keep the algae down and it takes no time to wipe the inside of the glass

Answer 4

hi the 10 gallon tank is to small for cichlids but why dont u try a couple convicts. get a couple pinks and a couple normal 1s

Answer 5

First, one gallon of water per INCH of fish.   The common question is “What other kinds of fish can I put with my cichlids?” Well, the response to this question depends HEAVILY on which cichlids you're talking about. In general, fish that do well with Africans are Synodontis catfish, most Botia Loaches, most Labeo Sharks (including related fish such as the “Flying Fox”), larger Rainbowfish & Danios, most suckermouth catfish (Plecos) and the larger Tetras (the “African Redy-Eye Tetra,” “Diamond” Tetras, “Black Tail” Tetras, and “Congo” Tetras. Be aware that some of these have neutral pH requirements but can tolerate higher pHs, like those required by African cichlids. This is something to take into consideration when mixing cichlids with other freshwater fish.