empty 20gal tank - maybe dwarf cichlids?

**sheamurai** · 09-13-2009, 03:01 PM

Hi all
I've a 20 gallon tank here I would really like to make a dwarf cichlid tank. Problem is, my LFS doesn't carry any except rams. Now, I like rams, but I've bought two now and they've both died of unknown causes. So I'm staying away from them for now.
so any suggestions on other dwarf species for a cichlid noob?

**Taurus** · 09-13-2009, 03:22 PM

Kribensis. I'm on the hunt for a female Krib myself for my 20 gallon long.

Pelvicachromis pulcher.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelvicachromis_pulcher

**HorrorShowRot** · 09-14-2009, 03:14 AM

You could get a pair of cons to breed.:) Just have another tank for the babies Its awesome to see there parenting skills and the kribs are a great fish as taurus said. I havnt had any personally but have heard the hype.

**sheamurai** · 09-14-2009, 01:05 PM

Wups! Not much difference, but its actually a 25 gal tank...
I've heard the most about Kribs and Apistos...no one had mentioned Convicts before. I will look into them...
thanks!

**sheamurai** · 09-14-2009, 01:52 PM

hmmm, FishProfiles.com show Convict males get to be 7". Wouldn't a 25gal be too small?

**pazbich3** · 09-14-2009, 01:52 PM

I have a pair of Kribs in a 20gal planted, along with a dozen neon tetras which look great!

Kribs are defintiely hardy fish, and will beed often! (mine breed once a month!) I'm raising some fry now which are a little over a month old. WIll end up selling them once they get older and can tell the sex.

**sheamurai** · 09-14-2009, 08:03 PM

Well, I ended up getting a trio of Kribs.
So, the Kribs don't eat the neons? Thats great to know, I never would have even considered neons as I thought they would have been dinner...now I get the fun of researching a few compatible tank mates...

**escamosa** · 09-16-2009, 10:58 AM

Kribs are nice but have a look at African butterfly cichlids to, they're a really nice fish.

What sort of rams did you have?
I have Bolivians and they've been a great little fish, i have the ph at 6.8, temp at 25C, plenty of hiding places and a good diet of a bit of everything from flake to vegies and live foods and have had no problems.

**Sharon** · 09-16-2009, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by sheamurai

Well, I ended up getting a trio of Kribs.
So, the Kribs don't eat the neons? Thats great to know, I never would have even considered neons as I thought they would have been dinner...now I get the fun of researching a few compatible tank mates...

A trio may give trouble, if they are a mixed gender. Two will pair and kill the third....

**pazbich3** · 09-16-2009, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by Sharon

A trio may give trouble, if they are a mixed gender. Two will pair and kill the third....

I concur! Definitely take the other back if you have a male/female that pair off, otherwise it's going to be trouble for the third oddball out.

It's funny with the neons as the neons just stay to themselves. When the Kribs were in with my barbs, they were a totally difference BEAST and were quite violent towards my barbs. I would have originally thought the same with Neons, but they are all quite peaceful and happy in the tank...and this is with a new spawn of babies about a week ago!