need advice...one large cichlid in 30g tank OK?

[ichimuj]

I'm new to cichlids and I have a 30g tank that I'm cycling now. I would like to have one Texas, Green Terror, or Dempsey and a pleco, but all of the research says that I need a 55g tank minimum. I'm interested in having one or two larger fish instead of a community. I need some advice on what to put in this tank...thanks!!

[Lady Hobbs]

The research is correct. Less than 55 is equivilent to you living out your life time in a closet.

[Sharkman]

I don't think one of those and a pleco could work. You could do one of the smaller cichlids by itself with no pleco like a firemouth or a convict. Maybe even chocolate cichlid, but those others would be miserable. Perhaps you could reevaluate what you want in this small tank.

[Lady Hobbs]

I agree. Some dwarf cichlids like rams, kribs or apisto's but not one large centerpiece fish.

[Billythefish]

two gt's and a bn pleco would work in a 30g or mabe a pair of parrot fish

[Sharkman]

2 parrots in a 30g? I dont know about that. They get to about 8''.

[ichimuj]

thanks! I think big cichlids look great, but I want the one(s) I choose to be happy. I guess I'll be upgrading to a 55g in a few years!!! In the meantime, any more suggestions for interesting fish (just one or two) for a 30g tank???

[ichimuj]

what about one green terror and a pleco? (I'm worried that 2 might fight too much???) If I get the GTs when they're small will they get along? OR, will one GT be bored to death? Also, what do you guys think of BioSpira?

[Red]

I would go with a smaller cichlid gts are to big for a 30 you could go with a convicts but if you get a pair they will kill everything...
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[duce]

id go for malawi.they dont get too large and theres many varieties

[kaybee]

There are, however, varieties of "malawi's" which do get large. Most of the the smaller ones (mbuna's, etc) won't bode well in such a small tank due to their territorial nature.

So, yep, large cichlids, whatever the species, require larger tanks, even when kept in solitary set ups.

[Billythefish]

2 parrots in a 30g? I don't know about that. They get to about 8''.it is very rare for them to get bigger than 5'' (IMO) thay are very cool fish too and have great personalities

[Abbeys_Mom]

You are probably thinking about Jelly bean parrots. They are a parrot/con cross. You can get a pleco for a 30g, but pick a small variety like bristlenose.

[Billythefish]

what about one green terror and a pleco? (I'm worried that 2 might fight too much???) If I get the GTs when they're small will they get along? OR, will one GT be bored to death? Also, what do you guys think of BioSpira?gt's are very peaceful imo and a 30g would be fine for just two... they don't get that big and it takes a long time for them to grow so you would have plenty of time to upgrade your tank.... (this is my opinions on my own experiences with them

[gunk]

You can put like 3 or 4 Mbunas in a 30g. They won't get bigger than 6" and are beautiful fish. Just research their habitat in the Malawi forum to make sure your tank is set up correctly for them.

[kaybee]

There are mbuna species which exceed 6". Certain zebras (such as the chilumba in my avatar), and crabro's (which are fairly common) max out at 8".

[bushwhacker]

2 parrots in a 30g? I dont know about that. They get to about 8''.

seems 2 8" fish would only be 16 gallons why would a 30 gallon be too small?

[Abbeys_Mom]

seems 2 8" fish would only be 16 gallons why would a 30 gallon be too small?

1" per gallon rule goes out the window with larger cichlids. You can't keep a 12" Oscar in a 20g it wouldn't work. Parrots also get to be 12" if given the room to grow. Aggression is also an issue. I would stick with small cichlids. Ones that stay under 6" like Kribs and rams.

[bushwhacker]

1" per gallon rule goes out the window with larger cichlids. You can't keep a 12" Oscar in a 20g it wouldn't work. Parrots also get to be 12" if given the room to grow. Aggression is also an issue. I would stick with small cichlids. Ones that stay under 6" like Kribs and rams.

i'd never keep an oscar in anything less than a 55, but parrots are not oscars
my african tank would have been considered overstocked but with water changes and maintenance i ran that tank for 6 years with no losses how long it ran after i gave it away i dont know, so what ya read really is just someones opinion

[ichimuj]

wow, I'm so glad I found this site...thanks for all of the advice. I actually did more research and since I'm also interested in a planted tank, I'm thinking about keyhole cichlids or rams...they're smaller and apparently they are OK in with plants. Not as cool looking as the big cichlids, but maybe I'll "upgrade" to a 55g in a few years.

[Jacko]

I'd definitly get the keyholes, I have 2 and they are wonderful fish. They seem to me to be like the kings of the smaller cichlids (rams, apistos etc). Bolivian rams are nice as well but watching them side by side I'd go with keyholes every time.

Also, keyholes have a more big cichlid shape while remaining small compared to rams.

You could also add a school of tetras/rasboras/barbs, like 10 of them to really give the tank some color and activity. Bristlenose pleco would be a welcome addition for tank clean up and looks and keyholes get along with them as well. I think the only fish in my 75 gallon tank that the keyholes don't get along with completly is the severum but only during feeding times do they bicker.

[ichimuj]

I was just looking up the bristlenose pleco also, since I want to make sure I have an algae eater. Do you think one algae eater is enough for a 29g planted tank?

[Abbeys_Mom]

A single Bristlenose should be enough. Chances are you will have to feed him because there won't be enough food for him. If you have a planted tank with lots of light, you shouldn't have much algae.

[ichimuj]

OK...I'll stick with the bristlenose pleco and 2 keyholes. Could I add a gourami after awhile? Or should I stick with a little school of some sort? Also, I'm removing the two 24" lights in the Eclipse hood and replacing them with 20Watt lights for plants and fish...does this sound like the right amount of light? I'm interested in a "low" light set up for slower plant growth...