Can i start a small cichlid tank in an Eclipse system 6 gallon aqurium?

Question

I would also like to say thanks to everyone that had answered my last question, it really helped getting input from different points of view, im not gonna put the betta in the 20 gallon community and im just gonna leave him where he is, in a 1.5 gal filtered tank with a light and everything, hes happy where he is. Thanks again..... on another note

I know 6 gallon is small, but its the largest tank i have space for at this time, so is there anyway i can start a cichlid tank in it? with smaller chichlids? if not.... are there any sudgestions of fish that will be ok to live in there? and anything but guppies, neon tetras, platies mollies, and swordtails. Thanks a lot,

Kyle

Answer 1

Nope, that tank is not large enough for Cichlids. You could put some dwarf Cichlids in an Eclipse system 12. Either put your Betta in the System 6 or you could get a Paradise Fish for the System 6. In my personal opinion Paradise Fish are cool fish. Very curious and not shy. They don't hide from you when your near and they even will jump from the water to try to take flakes from your fingers.

Answer 2

No. maybe 2 or 3 at a push (a million male and a pair of ladies) yet they are cichlids and cichlids get very territorial, quite in a pair. If Sofaking quite does have 35 years adventure he'd recognize that. you positioned 6 rams in a 10 gallon tank - a pair varieties and then beats the c*** out of the different 4, result 2 healthy rams, 4 ineffective ones! no longer something to do with the bioload - all to do with the character of the fish. in case you somewhat need to maintain any cichlids (different than for maybe Tanganyika shell dwellers) purchase a miles better tank.

Answer 3

Look, it's not just about the size of the cichlids (anyone who has actually researched them know there are species as small as an inch long) but also their high activity levels and aggression. Even the tiniest dwarf types like shell dwellers or apistogramma need more space then this to actually live and thrive. The confined space will inhibit their ability to remain active, and increase aggression between them because they'll be forced into such a small area.

I completely agree with making this 6 gallon a home for your betta - put in a bunch of plants, a few tankmates (a small group of corydora catfish, ghost shrimp, perhaps some white clouds), and you'll wonder why you never gave him a larger home in the first place (my betta is in a 15 gallon planted community, very active, very curious little fish with almost as much character as my cichlids)

Answer 4

You could have a cichlid tank in a 6 gallon tank just fine if you get the right cichlids. For one thing, a pair of multis would live quite happily in a 6 gallon tank. They're very small and have the same fascinating social structure and fry-rearing behavior that is so interesting to watch in the larger cichlids. They are also colorful and I think it's so cute the way they live into empty shells.

Answer 5

Cichlids are an aggressive bunch. Why not get a colony of juliedochromis they are about an inch long and like to play and hide under rocks. but also hover throughout the water column. not much water change. (adjusting ph or acidity alkalinity) for these fish compared to the shell dwellers mentioned in another answer. They are fun to watch and can have other fish in with them. I would not reccommend cichlids at all for your small tank because the aggression levels will be high . Kinda like you being stuck in an elevator with 20 people. No where to go and nothing to do. except explode. please don't put fish into that scenario. You will need at least a 20 gallon tank to have a few cichlids and have some rockwork for them to house in.

Answer 6

6 gallons is very small. Cichlids get big as I'm sure you are aware of. I suppose it really depends on how big are they? how many? and how long before you get a bigger tank? If they are baby babies and plan on getting a tank within a month its ok. If they are not baby babies and its going to be awhile before you get a bigger tank then no, and just wait till you get the appropriate size. Check your local paper for aquariums for sale. You can get them cheap that people want to get rid of but want maybe $10 for them and up. It sounds like you posted a question about putting your betta in a community tank. I don't know what you have in that tank but I have kept male betta's in my community tank but with swordtails and platties. Never had a problem but I also had them in a 40 gallon tank.

Answer 7

You should put the betta in the 6 gallon and leave cichlids out of it all until you've got a bit more fishy experience. Even 'small' cichlids are hard to care for-and a single one would still outgrow a 6 gallon tank -very- quickly.

Answer 8

Only if you can find some Shell Dwelling Cichlids like Brevis. They live and spawn is shells and max out at about 1.5 inches. You could have a pair (1 male and 1 female) in a 6 gallon with a sand bottom, heater set to 78-80 degrees, hard, alkaline water, and about 5 shells with openings that are about an inch around. In such a small tank, these can be hard to care for because the water parameters can change quickly. Shellies are your only possibility for Cichlids in that small of a tank. Email me if you have any questions.

Nosoop4u

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/n_brevis.php

Answer 9

cichlids grow fast and a single cichlid will out grow the 6gal in no time i breed cichlids and i constantly have to buy more tanks so don't go with cichlids you can put some corydoras cat fish not very many about 4 or 5 as for other fish you named all the small ones i would recommend hope i helped some