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Ok so today i went to petsmart and they have a gorgeous pair of convict cichlids with fry!! I would love to have them in my tank! Obviously i would have to wait becuase the tank is not cycled but would it be possible to fit these guys in there?

Also at petsmart i noticed they had a bumblebee cichlid that grew to only 5", does anyone know what kind of fish that could be?

Ok cool, so i think i have decided on the kribs. They are free anyway! So what other fish could i include?

I will get some fake plants soon.

Last edited by Hooktor at 14-Jun-2005 13:34

No meant no. No, you can't put N. tetracanthus in, sorry. And "absolutely" meant yes, you can keep Kribs in it - but not with the N. tetracanthus.

The Kribs are better in a neutral pH but will adapt just fine. They are substantial at adulthood, a solid 3", which is more than big enough for a 20T. "Vital" about the plants might be going a little far but they're better off in a planted tank - again, fake is fine, and you can leave the rockwork in.

There might be a taller 24" tank but it wouldn't help - cichlids in almost every case need longer tanks, not taller. (Exceptions include Angels and Discus, which wouldn't use the rocks or like the high pH).

-Molly
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Which fish is bigger? I really want a substantial fish. What did you mean when you said no? is that an abbreviation? With the kribensis it is vital they have plants? They like high pH right? Is there another tank that is 24" across but is larger gallon wise? I was thinking that if i got a bigger tank but was able to keep to stand and light fixture and cover that it might be worth it. Maybe a 25 gallon of a 30 extra high?

When you said "absolutely" does that mean they would both work, sorry i am being stupid this morning. :%) Which one do you think is cooler? And coudl i add other fish with both of those guys?

Last edited by Hooktor at 14-Jun-2005 12:59

Last edited by Hooktor at 14-Jun-2005 13:20

N. tetracanthus, no. Kribs, absolutely - but they'll want some plants (fake is fine). You can have some other fish with them, perhaps danios?

-Molly
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Well since i live in the chicago area i looked at a couple ads from our local cichlid association; do any of these look okay?

kribensis pair

neolamprologus tetracanthus

I wouldn't call julies (at least transcriptus) shy. But there are other good Tang. options. I think they're your best bet for a hardwater rockdweller in a 20T. How do you feel about N. caudopunctatus? They breed in shells but live in rocks (they don't necessarily need to spawn in shells, even, though I'd recommend supplying a couple). All day they parade around, flashing their fins at each other and looking gorgeous. Wonderful fish.

-Molly
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I do like julies but i have to find them first and in some articles it talks about the fact that they are really shy. I would rather get a fish that is not shy...

It's fairly small for cons, eventually one fish would be likely to kill the other.

Bumblebee cichlids are usually Maylandia crabro, and, like all mbuna, too much fish for a 20, particularly a 20 high.


Sure you don't like Julies? They're gorgeous!

-Molly
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So i just acquired a new 20 gallon tall aquarium and i would love to get a cichlid species for the tank. Are there any cichlids that fit these criteria?

1. Fit in a 20H tank
2. Like a rocky tank with a large gravel substrate
3. Does not need a low pH (my pH is naturally pretty high)
4. Plants are not necessary in the enviorment (i have one tank that is fully planted and i do not feel like spending the money on expensive lighting)

All the fish I listed are rockdwellers except the Sumbu comps, which will use rock if it's provided.

-Molly
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I would not suggest keeping a pair of Firemouths or convicts due to the fact that the tank is a 20G H, and not a 20G long. These fish need enough room for territories. I would stick with tangs since they seem to perfectly match your water quality.

I hope that helped,

Dustin

You could try Convicts but you risk over population with these guys. Another American cichlid you could try is Fire Mouths. They are a little mellower but I don't know about breding.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

As you know littlemousling i already have a shelldweller tank so i was trying to have a large variety in my tanks so i was thinking a fish that likes a rocky tank. Right now i only have two large rocks, but i will soon be filling it up more if i go that route.

I would be interested in having a pair of cichlids. Could jewel or convict cichlids work?

Lots of Tangs would work! The smaller Julidochromis would be ideal, though, since it's a high tank rather than a long. Try J. transcriptus, J. ornatus, or J. dickfeldi.
Also look at Telmatachromis and Chalinochromis species, and shelldwellers that use rocks like N. caudopunctatus or Altolamprologus compressiceps "Sumbu dwarf." The punks would prefer sand but the other species and genera above aren't big diggers and you can do without.

Last edited by LittleMousling at 13-Jun-2005 01:34

-Molly
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no tangs would work except the shelldwellers but you need sand for them. How much rockwork are we talking. Shellies would be the best thing if you had sand. Also gymnogeophagus need to have very cold water for 3 month and need a bigger tank. Kribs would probably work. Jewel cichlds might work but I cant remember exactly how big they get.

Probably want to look into tanganyikan cichlids;

Neolamprologus: Leleupi, Brichardi complex cichlids

Altolamprologus: Compressiceps, Calvus

Julies, Rainbow Cichlid, and I believe there are some gymnogeophagus that would work for your tank.

Various Shelldwellers also.