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Jus wondering if any cichlids can go in a 5 gallon tank ?

I saw some1 say that african cichlids could go in a tank of that size, is this true ?



Last edited by LEE_WILMOT_706 at 13-Mar-2005 13:44

Yes, two species can go in there, N. Multi and N. Brevis. They are Tang. chichlid shelldwellers.

Sorry about the abbriviations, I can't spell the full names.
- DJ :88)

Just to help djtj out the whole names are Neolampprologus brevis and Neolamprologus multifasciatus
and here are the links to the profiles:
http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/brevis.xml

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/multi.xml

Also as a side note; I would not put no more than 3(1 male to 2 females) of whichever one of the two aforementioned species you decide in the tank, and thats all I would put in the tank period.

Last edited by cichlidiot at 13-Mar-2005 14:17

I hate to disagree with these guys but I have to say no. Due to the territoral behavior, aggressiveness and even possibly size I'd say they should be in nothing less than a 10 to 20 gallon tank. Even the 2 that were named the multis that are in fact the smallest cichlid known(males reaching around 2 inches and females 1 inch) can have a really bad attitude. The males are usually terrotorial and will usually create a colony around several shells and if there are any females present will try to entice them to live in one of his shells.Five gallons just isn't enough room. The brevis cichlid thou usually only reaching about 2 to 2 1/2 inches in size can also be aggressive and I'm just afraid a 5 gallon tank just isn't large enough.

I agree.. a 5 gallon is good for 1 male betta(or 2 if you get a divider) some platties(3) endlers, guppies... and thats about it

72 gallon bowfront:Tanganyikan Lake set up
75 gallon: A. Baenschi trio,Cyanotilapia Afra Cobwe(4), copadichromis trewavase, protomelas sp. tangerine tiger(breeding pair)

I agree, multis aren't fit for a 5 gal, in no small part because they're so endlessly fertile.

But brevis are, in my opinion, another story. A pair - not two males, not two females, not a male and female who have nothing to do with one another - of brevis maintain and stay in such a tiny territory that when placed alone in a five gallon tank they may not even use the entire space. Bachelor brevis do a lot of swimming (I've had lone males enjoy all of a 6' tank) but pairs stick extremely close to home - usually within a 5" radius! As long as you can keep water quality pristine, I think a pair of brevis is far better suited to a 5 than any active swimmer that's more commonly recommended for that size.

-Molly
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