What size a tank should I get for cichlids?

Question

I've wanted cichlids for the past year or so, but I have no clue what size tank I should get.
NOTE: I don't want to spend over 500 dollars on the tank setup(not including fish)

I think african cichlids are the ones I prefer, and I don't want them over 7 inches long.

Answer 1

so you dont want to spend over 500 dollars? then you are going to need to savor every dollar, becuase a good cichlid setup is hella expensive. id advise you get a 75 gallon tank off craigslist, get the rocks at the cheapest place you can find (the rocks are so they dont kill eachother) and then get the water conditioners there. dont skimp out on the fish though. you want healthy stock.

Answer 2

What kind of cichlids? Some can grow to 2 inches, others can grow to over a foot. To give you an idea, there's New World (South American) Cichlids and Old World Cichlids (African). Old Worlds need hard and alkaline water, while New Worlds don't care about the water chemistry, as long as it's controlled. Provide these details and I'll help you.

EDIT: For Africans, you'll need a fairly large tank. Unless you want just one specimen, that's another story. For a beginner, I'd recommend a Yellow Lab Cichlid. You could keep 1 in a 15 gallon tank, but I'd recommend 20 so it can have enough room to swim. If you'd like any more recommendations on fish, feel free to e-mail me.

ZTM

Answer 3

Your ordinary variety cichlids you find in the Aquarium stores comes in sizes abouts 1/4 inch and can grow past two inches maybe more. I keep two cichilds in a 40 gallon tank and there about 2 inches. My tank needs to be bigger at least 50gal. So take it from there for an idea

Answer 4

you do not ought to trouble with regard to the Pleco. The African cichlids Smallest Tank length Is a fifty 5 Gallon. while you're going for the main suitable a seventy 5 gallon additionally you should get 2 parrot fish cichlid they're gorgeous fish. notice : I help PARROT FISH CICHLIDS connect OUR delight

Answer 5

Africans are a great choice, as far as the tank, a 55 would be a good size. With this you can have many fish and be able to enjoy watching them interact. I have a 75 gallon and have 20 Africans in there and it is great. Just make sure you provide adequate hiding spots for them.

Answer 6

I just setup a cichlid tank myself, which is a 55 gallon
I have in there
3 yellow labs
3 kenyii's
3 auratus
you should also keep in mind the 1male/2female ratio
6 giant danios
planning on getting 6 buenosaires tetras soon
Lot's of fake plants
and lot's of caves for them to hide




hope that helps
Good luck


EB

Answer 7

What kind of cichlids?
They can range from adult size being an inch, to over 4 feet.

Answer 8

They can get really big and are in need of a huge tank. I wouldn't even bother starting with a smaller one because you are probably just going to have to spend more money later on something larger. I would also run 2 filters. I had some of them for years. They are amazing but A LOT of work.

Answer 9

a good rule of thumb is 1 gallon of water for each inch of the adult size of the fish. for example, if the fish will grow to 10 inches as an adult you'll need at least 10 gallons of water for him.