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I have a 25 gallon tall eclipse. I have 7 harlequin rasboras, 2 ottos and 1 golden apple snail right now, and I am willing to relocate some or all of these fish if need be. I got the tall tank with the idea of getting a pair of angels. Someone told me to get at least 5 small angels until a pair formed and then return/sell the others, and then someone else told me a 25 gallon tank is too small for them. Another person told me I could put a pair of angels and even a pair of rams or kribs in there(though I think that would be pushing it).
What cichlids could I put in my tank? I'd like to get a breeding pair so I can observe the parental behaviour. If this tank is too small for angels, I've got my excuse for getting my next, bigger, tank :88). Can anyone give me suggestions for a cichlid centrepiece for my tank? I'd like to keep my other critters in there, but they can be moved if necessary - if so, please recommend other residents to put in the tank(I've had my eye on some lovely dwarf neon rainbowfish).

Ooops! I guess I should mention my pH is 7.5 and hardness is 11-12 dH! Anid it is a planted tank with a biowheel filter and air curtain.

How about a breeding pair of rams which should go nicely with the fish you presently have in your tank. Are a pair of convict cichlids that are usually very easy to breed , but are also "very agressive" during breeding and would probably require you to move the fish you have in your tank.

If you want to breed Angels a 29 gal. works well. But even bigger is better. If you need an excuse for a 55 a pair of Angels and a pair of Gold Severums would do. Add some cories and you've got a tank.

As far as getting a pair of Angels, getting 6 and letting them pair off on their own works best.

Don't put a breeding pair of Kribs with anything. They defend their babies much too aggressively for Angels and most other fish to survive, especially in a smaller tank.

As for a centerpiece for a 25, Rams or Apistos. Some strains of Blue Rams are okay in harder water and even breed. I've kept Apistgramma Cacatioudes and Agasizzi in water like yours but never got them to breed.

Have fun, Mike

Thanks - I have a chance to buy a pair of rams from someone who has successfully raised and bred them in the local water, so same parameters as mine. They are gorgeous - I'm definitely going to get a pair. Some one told me all cichlids love snails and even peaceful rams are likely to attack my goden apple snail...is this true? Also, as I said, I've had my eye on some dwarf neon rainbowfish and I have seen rainbows combined with many different types of cichlids - could I add a few dwarf neon rainbows, or is my tank fully stocked as is with the rams?

Your golden apple snail will be fine as rams don't eat snails(are does any other cichlid as far as I know). You would probably also be alright to add a couple of dwarf rainbows in your tank without it being overstocked.

At the moment most of my fish are Cichlids and the only ones I've seen eat snails are the Oscar, Severums (small pond snails put in for a treat) and I saw my Jack Dempsy pluck the eye stalk off a large Apple once. I think Rams would be too small to cause much trouble.

Have fun, Mike

Thanks for your input - the guy who's selling me the rams tells me the person he buys all his fish from is getting a new shipment of praecox in next week, so I'll be able to pick up a few in a couple of weeks. This is going to be a great tank - I just added a red ludwigia and some grassy plant for the foreground (I forget the name). I'll pick up my rams this Wednesday and the rainbows a week or so later. If I can figure out how to get a decent picture, I'll try to post one here once it's finished.