new to dwarf cichlids

[ste0187]

am thinking of setting up a dwarf cichlid tank,was wondering what the smallest tank you could have and how many in said tank (only a small house and have already had to sell my big mbuna tank as it was to big for the house) any info welcomed,,nice one

 

[chris1932]

A twenty long or regular fifteen will house a pair Apistos, throw in a small clutch of dwarf corydoras, and some cardinals, plant it heavily and you will have an attractive tank to watch. As a bonus if you're water is good you will have fry from the Apistos in no time flat.

 

[ste0187]

hi chris my tank equals 23.6 inches does this still leave me with a pair, i believe tank to small for kribs, what about shell dwellers or are the apistos the best bet as am looking for fish with a bit of character,thx mate
am i right in thinking that along with plants be good to have bogwood (for ph) slate (for breeding) fine sand (digging) as in mbuna tank it was just pure holey rock (is it good to have this is dwarf tank as i have small pieces
i do like the sound of having a little shoal in the tank, are cardinals the best with dwarf or would you suggest any thing else, just to give me more choice when i start stocking , although that a few weeks of as the bloody xmas tree is where the new tank is going lol

 

[ed seeley]

Well I've kept a number of pairs of Pelvicachromis in 2ft tanks so don't rule them out straight away. If you have naturally hard water then a group/trio of Tanganyikan shell dwellers will be a great choice, but Apistos or Pelvics would be a good choice too if the water's right. It all depends on what kind of tank you want IMHO.

Either way a group of mid-water/surface dwelling fish would be a good choice for all those options.

From what you seem to be saying maybe Pelvics of some sort might be your best bet with cardinal tetras as they are great fry predators with most apistos, but a pair of kribs can hold them off much more successfully IME.

 

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Are neon tetras and guppies acceptable dither fish for a 20L tank with a pair of Apistos?