Best cichlids for a 20 gallon?

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colinman.77

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Mar 26, 2005
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I recently inherited a 20 gallon tank from a friend who was moving. It has 3 clown loaches and a pleco in it now, and i would like to add a pair of cichlids to it. I am willing to give up the loaches to make room, since they will get too big anyways.
What is a good cichlid with a lot of personality and good looks that I could put in this tank?
 
I think you might also have to get rid of the pleco if it is a common one. As for cichlids maybe a pair of convict cichlids would look cool plus they have plenty of personality.

-Spencer-
 
Convicts would get too aggressive to have anything with them in a 20g,except maybe a bristle nose pleco. (if you've gota common pleco, it will need to go with the loaches, it will get bigger than they do!).

You could also do a pair of kribs (20g is the minimum for them). They get beautifully colored when spawning, and are fun to watch. Is this a 20g long or 20g high?

EMily
 
The tank dimensions are 24"L x 12"W x 16"H. Not sure if that is a tall or a long.
Are there any other cichlids that would work in there?
 
shell dwellers, some lake tanganyikan cichlids, needs a higher ph of course.


If you get convicts, get a mated pair. I have a pair but my female is territorial and won't let him swim anywhere so, I had to move him. Watch the tank a bit and try to pick a couple that are mated. Convicts are very easy keeprs and lots of personality too.
 
colinman.77 said:
I recently inherited a 20 gallon tank from a friend who was moving. It has 3 clown loaches and a pleco in it now, and i would like to add a pair of cichlids to it. I am willing to give up the loaches to make room, since they will get too big anyways.
What is a good cichlid with a lot of personality and good looks that I could put in this tank?
Click to expand...

IMO, return the loaches and the pleco and get some apistos. Your tank is pretty much suitable for any species of apisto and a school of pencilfish or tetras. Even some cories would be ok. The pleco and loaches will get far too large for that tank ( that's assuming it's a common pleco of course). A 20 gallon is far too small for a pair of convicts, convicts grow up to 6-7" and the female gets rather defensive of fry and the nest when brood caring. A male would likely be killed in such a setting if they ever spawned, which they will.
 
I, as always have to vote for the apistos, or thier lower priced african counterparts, the kribs (although i think apistos are better looking and more entertaining). Great fish, with tons of personality, and the most interesting behavior I've seen in a fish.

I will give runner-up vote to shell dwellers. More specifically, multis. A 20g long, with a multi colony, some "cichlid sand", snail shells, and some river rock, and you've got the closest thing to watching true fish behavior in an aquarium. Desktop Cichlids: The shelldweller recipe
 
Those shell dwellers are beginning to intrique me.....I wonder if I have enough tanks yet.......hhhhmmmmmm........only thing is...I haven't yet seen such a fish in any of the lfs in my area....and I have ALOT of stores to choose from...

Are they small enough to have a pair or two in a tank smaller than 10 gallons..? ...say a 5 ?
 
Depends on the Shellies, but for the most part yes. Brevis and Ocellatus would do great in a 10gal, A pair for the brevis and a trio for the ocellatus. I think that 20 is a 20H as well. I wouldn't go with convicts, one of the dwarf cichlid species would work well though. If your new to them, I would really suggest going with a pair of kribs to start, they are super hardy and inexpensive. Pretty fish as well, especially when spawning. After that try your hand at the apistos, they are more pricey and cost more if you did something wrong and lost one.
 
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