I was looking around for new fish today at petsmart, and noticed a small tank full of ‘assorted cichlids’ all under 2inches for 4$ each. I was wondering if it was possible to have a river set up tank with all cichlids? Of course, It’ll have my pleco in it that’s still growing.
If it is possible, how many could I have?
No way, most cichlids need bigger tanks, especially africans, and usually assorted cichlids end up being african. No, cichlids range hugely in size and behaviour and one should always do research before getting them, and never ever buy one if you don’t know what it is because you are only asking for trouble that way. When you buy a cichlid you should already know how big that species gets, how aggressive it usually is, and all it needs to do well.
A 29 gallon is good for only a couple types of rift lake fish – shell dwellers are no problem and certain tanganyikan rock dwellers. Other then that the tank is really only suitable to dwarfs like rams, apistogramma, or kribensis, and peaceful ones like Keyholes.
Cichlids are very energetic, can grow very big, and can be very aggressive and there are a lot of wrong ways to keep them. Check out http://www.cichlid-forum.com and start figuring out which cichlids you would like best, and remember that randomly mixing them is not the right way to keep them.
No No NO. Some of those assorted species get 12+ inches. 29 gallons is more for dwarf cichlids only, few other species stay small, especially since the "assorted" varieties that stores sell are often African cichlids..
no.
All fish grow, need to read the max on the labels they are kept in.
Problem with ‘Assorted ciclids’ is you dont know what you are getting. Will they grow to 3" or 12", will the be relatively peacefull, or crazed axe murderers? You just dont know.
There are some smaller African ciclids that you can keep in a 29gal tank, but you need to do your research and buy species that are compatible and will suit your tank, not just a lucky dip.
Ian