Planted Tank...Cichlids? *pics*

[gonathan85]

Hi hi hi! One month ago, I transferred the contents of my 10g to a new 20g. I added more plants, substrate (fluorite black), water (duh), and a few tetras.

I'm interested in moving my small school of tetras to the newly unused 10g.

I'd like to keep a breeding pair of cichlids in this 20g. I've been testing levels, and am stable enough to add new fish at this point. Plants, fish, and tank are thriving! I plan to remove the moss covered "tree" in the back right corner, and replace with a stack of rocks to give a cave hiding spot.

What are my options as far as keeping dwarf cichlids? I've read up on GBRs, but am terrified to even try to keep a pair alive. It seems that they have a high mortality rate, and can be picky about pristine water conditions.

So, all in all, what pairs of cichlids would you recommend I keep in this 20g?

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/nathonian/IMG_2190.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/nathonian/IMG_2191.jpg

Thanks!
Nate

[rich311k]

First off, nice tank!

Bolivian rams are much hardier, there are apisto, kribs as well. A trio of dwarf cockatoos would look great in there.

[gonathan85]

First off, nice tank!

Bolivian rams are much hardier, there are apisto, kribs as well. A trio of dwarf cockatoos would look great in there.

Ah great! I guess it's time to start researching a few of these.

Thanks!

[Taurus]

Great looking tank. Rich gave you some good advice.

[gonathan85]

Great looking tank. Rich gave you some good advice.

Excellent. I have yet to receive negative advice on any of the 3 fish forums I belong to! What a great hobby.

Side note: dwarf cockatoos = beautiful...

[gonathan85]

If I were to go with a trio of dwarf cockatoos...I assume you mean 2 females and 1 male? I don't even think the fish store near me has this species. Hmm.

I've been doing a ton of research on this particular fish, and I'm pretty set on finding a trio.

[DrNic]

Great looking tank!!

I agree that german blue rams would look great in there, but I have also had difficulties keeping them alive long term. It's a shame as they are such beautiful fish. As the others have mentioned there are other ram species that would work and are a bit hardier. Aside from chiclids you could also try for some dwarf gouramis, bettas or livebearers for breeding.

[gonathan85]

Great looking tank!!

I agree that german blue rams would look great in there, but I have also had difficulties keeping them alive long term. It's a shame as they are such beautiful fish. As the others have mentioned there are other ram species that would work and are a bit hardier. Aside from chiclids you could also try for some dwarf gouramis, bettas or livebearers for breeding.

Thanks so much for the compliment!

Yeah, agreed about the GBRs. I am considering other rams as well.

I just went to the LFS and they told me that if I were to order dwarf cockatoo cichlids, I'd need to order them in groups of 30 or 40! Ouch..way too much money to do that. Looks like I need to find another way to see if I can purchase them.

My 10g is my livebearer tank. I have it stocked with some orange/red platties. I have thought about gouramis. Bettas would be fun in my 6g that currently holds all the platty fry! Hah.

-nate

[Lab_Rat]

Bolivian rams...a good bit hardier than GBR and just as pretty imo.

Here are mine:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p316/ambell16/Craigslist%20tank/110309070.jpg

Apistos could also work, or possibly kribs.

[gonathan85]

Bolivian rams...a good bit hardier than GBR and just as pretty imo.

Here are mine:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p316/ambell16/Craigslist%20tank/110309070.jpg

Apistos could also work, or possibly kribs.

Great looking fish!

I just need to find a supplier for either Bolivian Rams, or Dwarf Cockatoo Cichlids.

[DrNic]

Bolivian rams...a good bit hardier than GBR and just as pretty imo.

Here are mine:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p316/ambell16/Craigslist%20tank/110309070.jpg

Apistos could also work, or possibly kribs.
Wow! Bolivian Rams look at LOT like GBRs. Great fish!

[BridalWreath]

I like kribs. I do like the Rams but Kribs I prefer a little bit more. The photos of them on the internet doesn't do them any justice at all in my opinion. My opinion is to look up some of these fish not online but in an actually fish store. It will help with the decision making.

[gonathan85]

Great advice everyone, thanks!

I ended up purchasing a trio of kribs, as well as a duo of chain loaches to control my exploding snail population. The loaches are a trial, and can be returned if they don't work out (although I believe they will!).

Here are a couple pictures. It was hard for us to sex the kribs, as they are juveniles of about only 1 inch each. I might have to wait till they size up a bit in order to properly sex them.

Here are some pictures!

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/nathonian/IMG_2200.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/nathonian/IMG_2204.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/nathonian/IMG_2206.jpg

[Deleted User]

Great looking tank! Congrats on your new additions thumbs2:

[gonathan85]

Great looking tank! Congrats on your new additions thumbs2:

Thanks! These little kribs at so much to the tank! They almost act military-like when patrolling the bottom half of the tank and hiding under the anubia leaves.

[hybridguy]

great additions to your tank, and great pics!!:22:

[rich311k]

Congrats on the fish! Nice pictures.

[gonathan85]

great additions to your tank, and great pics!!:22:


:shappy: Thanks!

[gonathan85]

Congrats on the fish! Nice pictures.

Thanks much! I'm a happy man.:goldfish:

[gonathan85]

Well it appears that the new cichlids are doing well with one exception.

I suspect that I have ended up with 3 males instead of the intended 1 male 2 female combination.

Why do I suspect this? Both smaller Kribs are being enthusiastically chased around by the bigger Krib.

It's so hard to sex them at the LFS when they are ~ 1inch!

[Sharkman]

What is your pH? I've had some trouble with dwarf cichlids being out of their pH range. Take that into consideration before you make a final decision.

[gonathan85]

ph is at 6.8....should be fine for the kribensis that i have. =)