Tropical Fish Forums

koolguyal · Regulars Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Mississauga, ON

My tank dimensions are 36x15x20, 46 gallons. Anyone have any idea if I can have 2 pairs or any dwarf cichlids in there? Rams, Apistos, Curviceps or Kribs? Or would they require a bigger tank to have more than one pair in there?

I am planning to have a planted aquarium along with somes caves in there for hiding and breeding for the cichlids. Now I know the apristos might not be a good idea because they perfer a ratio of 1 male to a few femals but any of the other work?

I would like to stay away from cichlids that are high maintenance and very sensitive such as rams and apistos. I am planning to have a pair of Angels, 10 neons and maybe 6 neon rainbows along with a few otos in the tank as well for tankmates to some dwarf cichlids.

Any ideas here?

Cathy G · Advisors Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Wisconsin

Bolivian rams would be nice - they are much more hardy than the Blue rams. The males get 4 inches, female 3.5. They have interesting behavior, perhaps you could get 2 pairs if you set up 2 territories... or one pair and some cories.
Cathy

koolguyal · Regulars Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Mississauga, ON

How do you specifically setup territories? I do have some rocks and caves in there that I have already laid out for that purpose. Would that be enough?

I have about 4 caves and some pebbles here and there

Cathy G · Advisors Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Wisconsin

Well Bolivians are not cave spawners so I don't know if they would go in them or not. See if someone else has any experience on this one. To set up 2 territories, each side of the tank would need a few plants, a couple pieces or one piece of driftwood and a flat rack for them to spawn on. The flat rock would have to be sheltered a bit so they have the illusion of privacy...

From each tank end, it could go something like plant/ driftwood/ rock/ plant, a collection on one side, something in the middle to seperate the 2 territories - maybe a big open space then rock/plant/driftwood, space plants, etc. You just want a grouping with a flat rock and hiding places on each side of the tank and open spaces between the groupings.

Sorry I don't seem to able to make myself more clear this morning. It must be a Monday...
Cathy

koolguyal · Regulars Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Mississauga, ON

Thanks again Cathy, I will definitly be going for 2 pairs of Bolivian Rams for my tank. They look almost as good as the blue rams Smile