Help on Setting up a Cichlid Breeding 55g?

[FishKeeper123]

Hello everyone, and thank you for checking out this topic. I would like to get into fishkeeping a little more seriously and I have been thinking about setting up a 55g to breed. The thing is, I don't have a ton of room, so I would like to put 2 breeding pairs (trios possibly?) of different species sectioned off from eachother in the tank.


I would like to stay with small types of cichlids, and maybe use the 55g to house some fry also. Since I only have a couple years of experience, I would think it would be easier to maintain 1 larger tank than to have two twenty gallons and few smaller fry tanks. So basically, I'm asking what type of smaller cichlids would have very similar water conditions, and that could breed nicely in a split 55g. Would the sectioning of the tank cut down on water circulation? Thanks for any advice on the idea.

[sergo]

it could be done but you will run into problems with just pairs. you'll need at least 3-4 females per male which would put you at about 10 in the tank. not a problem if you have good filtration which would be best with 2 canisters (one per side). also you may want to look into a separate tank for the holding female as the stress level could be great for a holding female in a split up 55. also the species you use will affect that alot. you could use some afras, labs, rusties just for starters. you'll probably get a few mixed opinions on this too.
btw, welcome aboard.

[Lady Hobbs]

Sergo is very correct. It's not a given just because you have one of each sex they will like one another. The males need a small harem to pick from. Perhaps once they pair up and spawn a tank divider might come in handy but separating that female would even be better and less stressful for her.

[Fishguy2727]

What type of cichlids have you kept before? What types of cichlids were you thinking of?

I think it may be better to have multiple tanks. The same footprint as a 55 could hold two double stands of 20 highs. I just think the dynamics of a single 55 to function as a multi-breeder and fry growout are worse than the slightly more chemically unstable smaller tanks.

Sex ratios will be dictated by species.

[FishKeeper123]

Well I've never had Cichlids before, but I've had some experience with livebearers, and I've been able to keep this 29g stable for about 3 years. It may be a large jump, but I would like to try breeding Angels, and/or possbily Kribs. From what I heard about Angels anyway, they would breed in pairs, so I would get maybe 4 younger ones, and let them pair off by themselves, I should be able to get a pair from those 4, correct?

[Fishguy2727]

It is best to get at least 6 small juveniles, then grow them out and let them pair off on their own.

You could try rams too, they are nice and small.

[FishKeeper123]

How would Bolivian rams and Angelfish work out? They seem pretty compatible according to Fishprofiles.com. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

[Fishguy2727]

I would do blue rams instead of the bolivians. They seem to be in more demand. They will do fine with angels.

[FishKeeper123]

Ah yes that's a good point. No sense in breeding bolivians if you can't get rid of them. Tough choice..