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i was wondering what kind of cichlids i could put in a ten gallon, could i keep some rams in there?

You could probably keep a ram in there, maybe two. How many you'd be able to have depends on the person, there really isn't a number that everyone has agreed upon. You could also fit apistos in there, and you could have a small group of shell-dwellers. If I had a choice, I'd go with the shellies. They have some crazy personalities, and they will even breed in a ten gallon, if you get a species that is small enough.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I've read in several different sources that you can keep a pair of Golden Dwarf Acaras in a 10g. Here's the link to their profile: [link=http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/goldenacara.xml]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/goldenacara.xml" style="COLOR: #FF0000[/link]. I've never tried it personally, so it might be nice to hear if anyone's ever done it. But it might be an option.

[link=This link]http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_10g.php" style="COLOR: #FFFFC0[/link] might give you some ideas.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I recommend Apistogramma species (esp. cacatuoides or borelli). I have a breeding pair of Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlids right now. Colourful fish, mating and parenting behaviours are very interesting to watch :88) . (I have a dozen babies presently, almost 2 months old and about 1cm. long ).

You need to give 'em lots of structure: ceramic pots, a coconut shell, or caves to spawn in and to explore. Some pieces of driftwood and plants are also appropriate. Theorectically they prefer neutral or soft water but artificial propagation has made them flexible. Mine are raising young in pH 8.0 with 220ppm hardness.

For breeding success the only companion species that are acceptable are docile fish that reside in the upper stratum. (I have a few Pencilfish in there, but they do take a bit of a beating from the parents).

When not mating or raising babies, Cockatoos are quite peaceful and a single fish could likely be added safely to any community tank. However, they don't seem perfectly happy without a mate.

Best of luck, whatever you choose!

A pair of Golden Eyed Dwarf Acaras (Nannacara anomola) won't work in there when the spawn...the female is VERY protective of the fry and will kill the male most of the time (even though she is half the size). Unless you have a second tank to move the male to, I wouldn't recommend other than a 20 long for these fish. The male is stunningly gorgeous, though!

If you have hard water, other options are shell dwellers from tanganyikan like Neolamprologus brevis, N. simils, or N. multifasciatus...they're some of the best cichlids for smaller tanks like a 10.

Eric

Thanks for the clarification on that, Big E -- I've read that Golden Dwarf Acaras work in a 10g, but there's nothing like the voice of experience. So, mitcheese, disregard my previous suggestion!

Glad I could help DoctorJ --- you see, I fell for those web pages saying they would work in a 10, too! After they didn't work out, I asked around with others who had kept them through my local fish club, and about 2 or 3 out of 10 females will allow the male to hang around in the 10, but 7 or 8 out of ten pairs won't work in a 10 when spawning.

So, it may work, but that extra space in a 20 long really, really helps.

Eric

thanks for the suggestions, i think that i will go with the
Apistogramma species, or shellies... if i can find some, i have never seen them at any of the fish stores down here.

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I want to follow up Eric's post on the golden dwarf acaras. Eric, the same places where I've read that they work in a 10g also suggest that they would work in a community tank, even for spawning. I'm curious about whether that's been your experience.

The female is a VERY good mother. She'll clear out a section of the tank and woe be unto whichever fish gets in the way.

So, it would depend on the size of the tank and the other dwellers. In the 10 I had them in at first, the female killed a school of 6 pencilfish. So, I added a trio of platys...gone overnight.

I think in something like a 29 or larger they'd do OK. When not spawning, they are great community fish, but the 29 gives the height and length for the other fish to get out of the way of that mother golden eyed dwarf.

Eric

I have lots of room: a 75 gallon. I saw these in a store a few weeks back and had been wondering whether they were community-friendly. Thanks, Eric!

You should be more than fine in a 75! The male is just stunning when mature...very nice fish.

Eric