Which dwarf cichlid pair for a 13 gallon?

[Tiff]

I have hard water and will have a 57 litre tank which will be planted, and which will contain almond leaves to lower the ph. I’d like a pair of dwarf cichlids for company. I used to have a huge tank with an acara pair, and I miss them.

I have access to RO water but would rather not start down that road.

Where should I start my research?

 

[anewbie]

Depends on the tank dimension but there are only a few readily available species that will fit in such a small aquarium - i've kept Apistogrammoides pucallpaensis without too much difficulty though their off springs were a bit smaller. If your tank has a smaller floor space than a 10 gallon which is 20 inches long and 10 inches wide you will have a lot of difficulty. Some people have managed with borelli and rams though a 20 long is a better solution for both species.

 

[MacZ]

Honestly, stick to a single male and call it a day.

 

[Tiff]

Honestly, stick to a single male and call it a day.

How about this aquarium? https://eheim.com/en_GB/aquatics/aquariums/starter-kits-fresh-water/aquaclass/aquaclass-66-black

 

[Tiff]

I have hard water and will have a 57 litre tank which will be planted, and which will contain almond leaves to lower the ph. I’d like a pair of dwarf cichlids for company. I used to have a huge tank with an acara pair, and I miss them.

I have access to RO water but would rather not start down that road.

Where should I start my research?

* UPDATE * I’m getting a 66 L aquarium, 25 x 12 inches footprint.

 

[anewbie]

* UPDATE * I’m getting a 66 L aquarium, 25 x 12 inches footprint.

Quite a few species will fit in that floor space from rams, nijjensi and such. There are a few more aggressive species that are also picking about mates that i woudl avoid - since there are 10s of not 100s of options it becomes more of a question what you have available. I would also avoid some of the larger species like macs and hongsloi. In truth my ortegai worked well in a 48x16 (inch) aquarium - i had a trio with three well defined female regions - one of the femals was hyper aggressive but the other two actually got long even when breeding. I mention this mostly to also point out that a lot comes down to the individual fish as even in docile speciels some are going to be very aggressive. I have this problem with my group of norbert with one particular female being rather nasty but luckily also quite small (they are in a 48x30 aquarium) - she lots to cover the entire aquarium looking for someone to terrorize.

 

[Tiff]

Quite a few species will fit in that floor space from rams, nijjensi and such. There are a few more aggressive species that are also picking about mates that i woudl avoid - since there are 10s of not 100s of options it becomes more of a question what you have available. I would also avoid some of the larger species like macs and hongsloi. In truth my ortegai worked well in a 48x16 (inch) aquarium - i had a trio with three well defined female regions - one of the femals was hyper aggressive but the other two actually got long even when breeding. I mention this mostly to also point out that a lot comes down to the individual fish as even in docile speciels some are going to be very aggressive. I have this problem with my group of norbert with one particular female being rather nasty but luckily also quite small (they are in a 48x30 aquarium) - she lots to cover the entire aquarium looking for someone to terrorize.

Thank you - I shall look them all up!

 

[Mike Wise]

I would avoid A. nijsseni or any nijsseni-group species unless they have already formed a breeding (not mated) pair. My personal question is why do you want a pair? Breeding with only 1 tank, especially a small tank, is a problem. Like MacZ recommends, a single show specimen would be best for the fish and you.

 

[Tiff]

I’d love just one - I thought the comment about getting just one was frustrated about my tank dimensions and so was being sarcastic!

 

[MacZ]

I’d love just one - I thought the comment about getting just one was frustrated about my tank dimensions and so was being sarcastic!

By no means meant sarcastic. I just tend to be a bit blunt. Don't know whether it's more because I'm german or autistic, but yeah, I was honestly recommending it because all sounded like this would be the best option for you.

 

[Tiff]

That’s what I would love, then! Thank you!
Could you please recommend one for me?
And would he play nicely with a few rasboras?
(70 L tank, rectangular, water is slightly hard)

 

[Tiff]

And slightly alkaline - I’d need RO water to get it down to the 5s and 6s.

 

[MacZ]

And would he play nicely with a few rasboras?

Don't expect that. Usually a dwarf cichlid just ignores other fish until it comes to food or its fry. I have seen them sometimes chase other fish from their main feeding place.

You don't have to go down into the 5s, although this is a "nice to have". Low 6s is quite fine. pH is overrated anyway, the Electric Conductivity is much more important, and I would recommend the low 100s.

Now for species: As they are quite okay alone and don't grow that big while being tolerant of some alkalinity it's either Apistogramma borellii, A. trifasciata or Nannacara anomala.

 

[Tiff]

Thank you! I shall look up those three now - I’ve been browsing all afternoon and have gone “apistograam blind”! It’s lovely to have a focus. I’ll keep you updated!

 

[anewbie]

I would avoid A. nijsseni or any nijsseni-group species unless they have already formed a breeding (not mated) pair. My personal question is why do you want a pair? Breeding with only 1 tank, especially a small tank, is a problem. Like MacZ recommends, a single show specimen would be best for the fish and you.

You feel that 25 x 12 inches footprint is too small for nijjensi? I've not had issue with them in 29 which is 30x12.

 

[anewbie]

Don't expect that. Usually a dwarf cichlid just ignores other fish until it comes to food or its fry. I have seen them sometimes chase other fish from their main feeding place.

You don't have to go down into the 5s, although this is a "nice to have". Low 6s is quite fine. pH is overrated anyway, the Electric Conductivity is much more important, and I would recommend the low 100s.

Now for species: As they are quite okay alone and don't grow that big while being tolerant of some alkalinity it's either Apistogramma borellii, A. trifasciata or Nannacara anomala.

I would NOT put a pair of n. anomala in a 25x12 foot print. Though in truth i believe there are two forms but at least the one i have the male was quite large and the female quite aggressive. A 40b is much safer.

With the updated foot print of 25x12 rams should be fine as well as borelli, winkelfleck, lineata (which seems available in europe) and a few others.

 

[Tiff]

Thank you! I shall look up those three now - I’ve been browsing all afternoon and have gone “apistograam blind”! It’s lovely to have a focus. I’ll keep you updated!

The A. Nannacara anomala is the favourite at the moment - reminds me of a lovely gourami pair I had who seemed to forever be spawning.

 

[Tiff]

I would NOT put a pair of n. anomala in a 25x12 foot print. Though in truth i believe there are two forms but at least the one i have the male was quite large and the female quite aggressive. A 40b is much safer.

With the updated foot print of 25x12 rams should be fine as well as borelli, winkelfleck, lineata (which seems available in europe) and a few others.

I’ll only be having one fish

 

[anewbie]

I’ll only be having one fish

Oh if just one then any pretty male you like.

 

[Tiff]

Oh if just one then any pretty male you like.

If only life were like that