Could 1 cichlid fit in a 10 gallon?????

Question

I was thinking of making my tank a cichlid tank, are then any species that would fit in a 10 gallon tank, I was also of thinking of doing some research about plecos to find the smallestsize they grow to be and sticking one in with it. The tank has two hideouts, 3 plants, a 15 gallon filter, a heater (80 F) bubbler, amd gravel. I have had a cichlid before, got it from my nieghbors when they moved, it was in a 10 gal and way too big, brought it to a petstore to find a bigger home. I was thinking I would take out those plants and hideouts and put some clay pots and caves in there instead, would this be ok. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

With soft, slightly acidic water (peat moss in the filter will do it) that tank is made for a pair of apistogrammas (South American dwarf cichlids)! At 2-3" adult size they aren't anywhere near too big for a 10 gallon. Look them up and you will find some of the prettiest aquarium fish out there. You an get great info and a huge selection of them from the Apistogramma Study Group website. Plus, the breeders selling the fish are hobbyist just like us and are always more than willing to help you pick the right species.

Best of luck! MM

Answer 2

There are over 3000 species of cichlid. Most stay under 5". African cichlids tend to be smaller. Apistogramma species stay small and you could do a pair in 10 gallons. Just go look in local store for a species you like and then do some online research.
Otos are one of the smallest algae eaters and can fit in a 10 gallon. No plecos are small enough.
Clay pots are great hideouts, just rinse them well first.

Answer 3

It sounds like you already know the answer to this question. You said that you had a cichlid before that outgrew your tank and had to be taken to the petstore. I would assume that will happen again. I bought two teeny oscars (a type of cichlid) for my ten gallon tank and within a year, they were way too big. I then bought a 55 gallon tank, they too outgrew this tank. They were becoming agressive torwards each other and were basically bored. A fish expert at the petstore can guide you in the right direction. Cichlids are cool, they are by far the most animated and it's cool how they change colors depending on their moods. Either pick a different kind of fish for your 10 gallon tank or assume that you will have to upgrade in the very near future if you do decide to invest in a cichlid. Good luck

Answer 4

The general rule is one fish per 10 gallons, so technically, sure get one. However, as you well know, cichlids can get pretty big. If you got a small cichlid it would probably be fine and you could maybe move it to a larger tank a few years from now. Then again, cichlids, although sometimes aggressive, are social fish. I wouldn't do it if I were you but I don't think it really matters. I have a 70 gallon cichlid tank with bunches of plants and a couple of hideouts. I had about 9 fish in there until a water problem knocked off a few, but before then they were very content and beautiful. Maybe you should invest in a slightly larger tank (they don't cost much) and get you 2 or more cichlids. If not, I recommend another species, but continue your research and choose for yourself.

Answer 5

If you have tap water that is hard,with a high pH,you could keep some of the Lake Tanganyika "Shell Dwellers", neat little dwarf Cichlids that live in large snail shells. Water quality must be very clean,with frequent changes in a tank that small. ----- If your tap water is soft,with a low - to- neutral pH,you could try some of the Amazon River dwarf Cichlids,(Rams and such)or maybe 1 pair of one of the smaller African (Congo River Basin) Kribensis types. Again in either case the water quality would have to be the very best. All of the species I mentioned are fascinating fish with their own peculiarities that make them fun to keep. Do a little research on each group and see which one suits your situation best. ------- Good luck,and have fun with your fish. PeeTee--------- P.S. In the case of the Amazon fish a Plecostamus would be OK,otherwise, not such a good idea.

Answer 6

lots of cichlids would do ok in a small tank, try shelldwellers from east africa, or west african dwarf cichlids, or some south american dwarf, apistogramma are beautiful and you could put a trio in a ten gallon, and gold nugget plecos stay small and so do zebras

Answer 7

Your could try getting Convic's They have Blue and Pink. But generally no Cichlid will be happy in a 10 gal tank. Maybe you should get a bigger Tank. Or try some community fish, Molly's or Something along those lines.

Answer 8

Whats a cichlid?