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I recieved a 5g tank as a gift with a jewel cichlid inside. It was cycled and she seems to being doing well, but I'm worried about the size of the tank. I'm planning on upgrading eventually, but at the moment, I'm a poor college student. My concerns are that she's lonely. I realize they are aggressive, and since the tank is small, is it safe to put another in there? She's fairly active. She loves the stream of water coming from the filter and frequently swims underneath it and stays next to it after. I'm a little paranoid so I keep thinking she's dying. I have a filter and a heater and a lot of caves, fake plants, and other decorations. So what are my options?

no, that tank is too small for even the fish you have now. you can get a 15g for about $15-20 at most large chain stores, you might think about that for your jewel, as it will need much more room than a 5g can provide.

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"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

Honestly, no. You're already overstocked as it is. I know it was a gift but can you trade the fish into your Local fish store (LFS) for a betta. That would be much more appropriate for the 5 gallon. Add some nice plants and you'll have a very nice looking tank.

^_^
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Yeah I know it's small...I'm looking into getting a 10g from someone. I'm not sure a 15g would fit in my room. If not, my boyfriend has many cichlids...he may be able to take her.

The 15G has the same footprint as the 10, so it should fit if a 10 would, unless there's a shelf above. A 15 would be OK for a single Jewel, I suppose, but you couldn't add anything with her, sorry. A pair of Jewels needs at least a 20 long and preferably much more space than that.


If you give her away and get a 10, there are a number of cichlid options.

-Molly
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i keep a jewelle cichlid with 2 convicts in a 27 gallon and i think that its to small because the jewelle is very aggresive so eventualy try for something bigger than a 27 gallon