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Hi,

I have no experience with cichlid at all (honestly never even bothered to venture into the cichlid section in any LFS since I ignorantly thought all cichlids are agressive and not suitable for community tanks). However, now I'm wondering, is it ok to keep one small, peaceful (and hardy) cichlid in a 2ftx12"x12" mostly-cory tank with sandy substrate? If so, can you recommend which kind(s) for me to check out? I was going to put a dwarf gourami with the cories, but then saw some amazingly colorful pictures of cichlids online that made me go

From what I've been reading in this just one forum, Bolivian Ram or Cockatoo Dwarf Apisto may be good choices for a cichlid newbie. Which tank level would these types of cichlids occupy?

Thanks much!

-P

youve listed most of the species but if you want the hardiest of all dwarf cichlids and the most peaceful go with a breeding pari of keyholes. I have found as have many other people that cichlids are more interesting when kept in pairs.

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''All the clown fish and yellow tangs in the world cant save you now!''

Bolivian Rams aren't actually cichlids, but I've found them really peaceful. I'd recommend them.

Bolivian Rams aren't actually cichlids

They definitely are cichlids.

A few other cichlid ideas are blue rams, Laetacara curviceps, Laetacara dorsigera. You could even try a krib although some people might say that sized tank is too small. You could also look into the various apistogramas available.

Many of the colorful cichlids are Africans, which probably wouldn't work in your tank.

The dwarf gourami was a good idea, as well as as male or female betta, paradise fish.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Any of the Apistogramma species should work, and Bolivian rams, keyholes, and Laetacara species (all mentioned above) would work out. Bolivian rams are one of my favorites from the list of dwarf cichlids, since they're hardy, very colorful, and are quite interesting when kept in pairs.

"Which tank level would these types of cichlids occupy?"

They occupy the bottom area of a tank most of the time.

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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."

Go with some Bilivian Rams, they have beautiful colours & rather peaceful.


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bolivian rams would be great...but you asked for a hardy species...they can be pretty fragile...but i still think the're you're best bet.

Bolivian rams aren't known for being fragile, but German rams are. You may have just mixed up the two species.

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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 think German Rams aren't that fragile or hard to care for. I think they've gotten a rep that they're really hard to care for, but it seems like almost any other fish I've kept. Only thing is more water changes

If you're interested in German Rams, give them a go. They're much more colorful than bolivians, but would like more frequent water changes.

Thanks guys, that was helpful.

I've decided not to put any cichlids in the 2ft tank as I think they might get too big and agressive with the cories in a tight space. I'm getting a new 30"/23gal tank and I'm thinking of either a pair of Bolivian Rams or a pair of Keyholes (with cories and tetras). I like the colors of the Rams better, but from my observations at the LFS, the Keyholes seem more peaceful and maybe more compatible with the other species (and also hardier said the LFS). The only concern is they get much bigger than the Rams (I've only seen juvenile ones, about 2" ). If only I have room for a bigger tank so I can have both....

Last edited by upikabu at 20-Jun-2005 23:13

-P