1. Welcome to Aquarium Space! We are a friendly online community for aquarium owners all over the world who love their tanks including their fish, reefs, corals, invertebrates and their aquatic livestock. If you haven't joined yet, we invite you to register and join our community!

Starter cichlids (Information & Advice Wanted)

Discussion in 'Cichlids' started by Anonymous, Apr 4, 2009.

  1. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    Hello guys, I was just wondering what would be a good starting cichlid and what size tank they need, also I was wondering if shell dwelling cichlid are is to care for, The shell dwellers have always interested me.
     
    Anonymous, Apr 4, 2009
    #1
  2. Alleycat

    Alleycat Member

    Messages:
    146
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Re: wondering

    Shell dwellers are a great start to cichlids. Both L. Brevis, or L. Multifasciatus can be kept in a 10 gallon tank. Add sand, shells, a few rocks, and a diet of flake or pellets, and you're good to go.
     
    Alleycat, Apr 4, 2009
    #2
  3. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    Re: wondering

    In a 10 gallon tank, really??? How many would I be able to keep?
     
    Anonymous, Apr 4, 2009
    #3
  4. Alleycat

    Alleycat Member

    Messages:
    146
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Re: wondering

    Start with 3 or 4 with the inevitable goal of having a pair. Given the right conditions they will produce many fry and will form a colony, more-so with multies over Brevis.

    They're a very easy shell dweller to look after and quite entertaining. :D
     
    Alleycat, Apr 4, 2009
    #4
  5. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    Re: wondering

    how many can safely live in the 10 gallon tank once this colony is formed?

    Also is this a shell dweller and if so are they good beginners

    Neolamp. Helianthus
     
    Anonymous, Apr 4, 2009
    #5
  6. Alleycat

    Alleycat Member

    Messages:
    146
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Re: wondering

    Helianthus is not a shell dweller but more of a rock dweller. Nice fish, very similar to it's cousin the Brichardi and it's characteristics.

    You'll find if you keep multies you'll need to share them with friends or your local pet shop. If you start with a couple, you'll have plenty to sell within a year. They are very prolific.
     
    Alleycat, Apr 4, 2009
    #6
  7. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    Re: wondering

    OK thanks, I'll see if my parent will let me set up a 10 gallon in the living room.
     
    Anonymous, Apr 4, 2009
    #7
  8. Alleycat

    Alleycat Member

    Messages:
    146
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Re: wondering

    Go for a 20g long... It's only a few dollars more. If they say no, then resort to the 10g. It used to work for me :)
     
    Alleycat, Apr 4, 2009
    #8
  9. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    Re: wondering

    Yea but I got to get a job first, may I should see if the pet store is hiring when I go in.
     
    Anonymous, Apr 4, 2009
    #9
  10. gsoul55

    gsoul55 New Member

    Messages:
    87
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: Starter cichlids

    I have a colony of 30- 40 multies living in a 20 long with no problems so you probably could get quite a few in a 10 gallon. Also get some mollies. The mollies will produce babies like crazy and your multies will eat those as a food source. I havn't had to feed my multies in over 3 years thanks to the mollies. The only thing I have to do once in awhile is remove males. These guys are harem breeders and 1 male likes to have 7 - 8 females for himself so the weaker males get beat up pretty good.
     
    gsoul55, May 23, 2009
    #10
  11. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    thanks for your help, I got a job now so I'm trying to get my bettas set up right for breeding before I add any more fish, I may have to wait until I'm on my own saddly thought.
     
    Anonymous, Jun 8, 2009
    #11