I am very interested in Cichlids....

[smoochxoxo]

I wont be able to have them any time soon but a few ???

For the most part, other than oscars (which scare me lmao) what is the typical smallest size tank they would be in?

Are they all that aggressive that nothing can be with them if you end up getting a certain species?

hugs

[Billythefish]

Not at all you got bp's severums.....oh that about it haha, oscars are hard work to keep thay are (imo) the most fun tho, if your looking a small cichild tank then i'd go for malawi cichlids,

[smoochxoxo]

Well I guess really it would a tank that was capable of keeping a pair or a few or however many would be compatable and if they would be ok sharing with other species. Like such and such a fish would do ok with this species in no smaller than this size tank? Ok I am sure that was as clear as mud huh???
I have never looked into them because on the tanks at my lfs in bold orange letters it either says Agressive or semi agressive for their cichlids. Some day with the addition to our house being finished I would like something larger on the range of 55 gallons. But wouldn't want just 2 fish in it lol.
Plus these types of ish are so colorful and would love to for now just learn about them.

[Incredulous_Ed]

You could keep cichlids in tanks as small as 10gal. 15-20gal is better thoough. Look into the apistogramma and mikrogeophagus and pelvicachromis species.

[Billythefish]

Well ciclids just grow to fast and to large for a small tank so malawi's would be my pic of the bunch because thay don't grow that fast or big, other than that i'd wait until you can get a bigger tank. Sorry most semi aggresive cichlids just get to big (imo)

[smoochxoxo]

very cool thanks ed and billy I will look into those! I wouldn't get any cichlids unless I had 30 or 55 gallon anyhow just because I wouldn't think it would be fair to them being soo cooped up. But love the sugesstions and finding them interesting so far!
Ty

[Lady Hobbs]

It depends on the size tank you're talking about. I would go with Apisto's, Rams or kribs in a smaller tank. I have my 4 firemouths in a 55. The type cichlid and the size tank makes all the difference. Some like a lot of company to hold down the aggression and some like their own territory...... and a large one at that.......like angelfish.

[Ryuu]

Yeah rams and aspistos in 10 gallons - 20 gallons, Small mawli chichlids in 20 gallons, and 30 gallons and up im not quite sure

[Lady Hobbs]

I think you're going wayyyy to small a tank there Mello. They are still cichlids and cichlids are terratorial.

[smoochxoxo]

I don't think I would go through the trouble for a 10 or 20 gallon tank. I would want a super cool rockin tank with some flash. lol
I love the way the rams I believe they were looked. They look so very colorful with blues and what not.
Someday my rams will come!!!! lol
Hugs and ty everyone~

[toddnbecka]

If you want to do a nice cichlid tank, plan on 75 gallons or larger. Not too much more $$ than a 55 (particularly if you can find a good deal on a used setup), but the larger "footprint" really makes a difference in your stocking options.
If you're looking at a 30 long that's fine for dwarf species like Rams or Kribensis, along with some tetras or rasboras for variety. It all just depends on how much space and $$ you have to work with, and sometimes a little luck.

[cichlid guy]

I wont be able to have them any time soon but a few ???

For the most part, other than oscars (which scare me lmao) what is the typical smallest size tank they would be in?

Are they all that aggressive that nothing can be with them if you end up getting a certain species?

hugs
Q1-Depends on which one you want otherwise a 30gallon at least. Q2-Yes, make sure you introduce them at the same time and don't mix South American with African cichlids either.