jprime84

I found out yesterday that it is ok for me to setup a 5 gallon nano tank on my desk at work. I think I would like to have cichlid(s) i think, but I have never kept them before. I will use the eco complete cichlid substrate, and the tank will be bare other than some cavernous limestone rock.

I thought maybe I could have 1-3 individuals in the tank, but they would obviously have to be small species that only grow to a few inches. Can you guys help me out with recommendations. I would like some orange, yellow, and/or blue fish.

Do cichlids need a heater, or does room temp satisfy them? Any general tips are always appreciated. I will probably move on setting this up after the holidays.

mathas

In a 5g tank, about the only thing that might work is a trio of shell-dwellers (Lamprologus multifasciatus or Neolamprologus multifasciatus), and even they would do better in a 10g in my opinion. They're not really orange, yellow, or blue, but the cichlids that do have that coloration require a lot more space than 5 gallons. They would also do better with a variety of shells and a softer substrate.

And yes, cichlids are tropical fish that require a heater.

For more info:

http://www.fishlore.com/aquariummaga...er-cichlid.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/sh...es.php?id=1749
http://cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1749
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article...ifasciatus.php

harpua2002

I agree with Mathas, any of the shelldwellers would be better off in a larger tank. I kept a group of lamprologus ocellatus in a 10 gallon tank and I'd choose a 20 gallon for them if I had it to do over based on my experience. IMO there are no African cichlids that would be suitable for a 5 gallon.

jprime84

The more I look into it I would have to agree. Here is what I am thinking of now:

Scarlet Gem Badis (dario dario)
Corydoras Nanus

Ill have a pair of the badis and one cory. The badis dont even get to an inch, and that cory only gets 2, 2.5 inches. I would have a sand or fine gravel substrate with a piece of driftwood and maybe a few anubias.

platy ben

I would leave the cory out, they prefer to be in groups