[steveysquish]

i have tried so hard as a beginner doing research on what south american cichlids i could put in my uk 36 gallon bowfront tank to the point im up until very early hours in the morning researching,,i know most cichlids prefer a sandy substrate but i had already had small pea gravel instead with rocks hides (fake plants) and pots/ornaments..me and my youngest child want dwarf cichlids and waited patiently for the cycle to be complete, but now im unsure what to stock as i dont want to kill them by throwing them in and just seeing what happens as i dont have a sandy bottom and cant afford to change from gravel to sand ect as im not currently getting paid a great deal at work

please could somebody help me on what i could stock,how many and can i just have males as i dont want fry at the moment...please help me

my ph levels are ok and my water temp is 27degrees celcius...i have a nice steady flow of bubbles and oxygen (my pump goes over the top of my aquarium and media and drops into the water agitating it..

 

[Flint]

I believe I read in your other thread you don't have the tank set up correctly for them? I believe you needed many more hiding places if I am not mistaken. Part of the research process is making sure you can properly accommodate this fish you intend to keep. If you can't afford a different substrate or more hiding places, you should begin looking into other fish or wait until you can afford it. Just explain it to your children the best you can, they should understand that you can't keep cichlids right now or need to wait longer to set the tank up properly to make them happy.

 

[Crazyfish]

The substrate isn't really critical.... pea gravel will be fine. Sometimes you won't know which fish will go good together until you try.

You also mentioned Angelfish in another thread... the problem with Angels is that if you get a pair and they end up not getting along then you have to get rid of one. :-(

Rams and Apistogramas are the usual South American fish while Kribs from west Africa could work as well if you decide to get an Angel or two.

Unfortunately, dwarf cichlids are sensitive to water conditions so be sure that your tank is fully cycled and proven to be stable.

 

[steveysquish]

i am doing abit more research now on the fish that could possibly go with small pea gravel,,i know it trial and error but hey ho i got to start somewhere...may just go for a shoal of cardinals now and just two dwarf plecos? then when i get a decent wage by busting a gut like we all do il get some sand in or mix it with gravel possibly..thanks for the info though.

 

[Cichlidsrule102]

Sounds like a good tank with the plecs and cardinals, mabye also some tiger barbs or danios?If you really still want cichlids, In that size tank u can easily house a fire mouth cichlid for life, it would make a really nice showpiece. They grow to a maximum of 6in and are very peaceful compared to most cichlids. they are central american though, but SA and CA have similar requirements and stuff. You can pick up young firemouths quite cheaply, and every good pet store should have them. They will grow to their full size in a year, and are safe with pretty much any other reasonably peaceful fish that can't fit in their mouths. I would look into them, cheers mate.
PS. the pea gravel is fine, sand is just a recommendation, cichlids will be fine with almost any substrate

 

[Cichlidsrule102]

Stevey mate, im worried that you might have given up You havent even answered my pm. Theres always hope to get the fish that you want

 

[Austin]

I'm not experienced in the realm of dwarf cichlids but will play sand work? It is very cheap, just takes some elbow grease.

 

[Cichlidsrule102]

lots of people use it with no probs, as long as its been washed very well.

 

[steveysquish]

yo cichlidsrule101 soz mate i took a breather as i been in info overload lol...im thinking of getting some sand and doing either half sand half gravel,,or just mixing sand and gravel to keep the fish happyish lol..still doing a lil reasearch on fish choice and the missis wants south african cichlids now after i been stressing over south american lol...im getting there...not giving up...yet lol...cheers guys.

 

[Cichlidsrule102]

Righto mate, thats cool, I just thought that u had given up on the best fishes ever....................CICHLIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!................

 

[Austin]

Aww! But South American are the best. ;D
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