Cichlid in 20 Gallon tank

AndrewM21

Hi Guy's,

My current 20 Gallon tank is cycling right now and I haven't a clue what to do with it. I have setup a community 50 Gallon and my 10 Gallon should be cycled within the next 24-48 hours and I'm doing 2x Pictus Catfish in the 10 Gallon.

Edit: been reading and it seems this tank is not suitable for that specific fish. What types of cichlids would be ok in this tank?

Edit: If the tank is too small for this particular fish which fish does the community recommend for this tank?

dmuddle

Maybe you could get a cichlid in the 20g but I say it shouldnt be a large american, maybe a small african

AndrewM21

"maybe"? If the fish isn't going to be comfortable I'd rather not stick it in the tank though. If you know any other species of fish that aren't classified as"community" that would cope well with a 20G tank then that would be great too.

I'm not looking to stock it up with multiple fish, maybe just 1-2 fish that can potentially get a decent size. I'm upgrading my 50G tank to a 75G tank later down the road so I will have a free 50G tank I can move the ones in the 20G too also.

dmuddle

You should get two dwarf gouramis they dont get too big and are great

AndrewM21

The dwarf's get around 2-3 inches so would it be more suitable if I put 4 in a 20G or just 2? The fish don't necessarily have to be exotic or any of the sort since this tank is in my bedroom and I'll likely only see it in the morning & at night. I'm just looking for a couple of fish that live for a pretty decent period of time and aren't community type fish.

I would "like" to have a planted tank so a fish that isn't going to destroy the plants would be preferable but not required as I can always put the plants elsewhere.

lorax84

The only cichlids that work in a 20 gallon are shell dwellers. A group on Neolamprologus multifaciatus would do great in a 20G.

dmuddle

I want to get a brasiliensis for my twenty gallon cause I love them. He will be the only thing in the tank and will be well looked after

Philnominal

Apistos, Convicts, Rams (either german or bolivian), dwarf cockatoo, checkerboards, kribs, dwarf cichlids of basically any type Jewel might also work and if you are going to upgrade the 50 to a 75 you could get by with a Firemouth for a while in a 20 though i wouldn't advise it. You never know of any problems that might happen with upgrades. Convicts and Jewel cichlids wouldnt really allow you to have any other tank mates anyway. They both tend to be really aggressive. The others you tend to be more of "community" type cichlids though it all depends on the personality. As for the convicts you could get a breeding pair and call it a day, assuming you have some way to get rid of the copious amounts of fry you will have (cull, sell, feeder fish etc...) and have a spare tank for a grow out tank.

dmuddle

so you can put convicts in a twenty gallon tank, what is the smallest they can go in?? 15 maybe

Philnominal

I wouldnt go under a 20long