Amanda

Would it be possible to have a cichlid tank that's only 55 gal.? The more pics I look of cichlids, the more I want some! What types are common enough to find also?

Steve113

Easily.

check adult sizes for different ones though.

fishrule101

You can have cichlids. I think most need a 55 so I think your good to go. Also I heard they are not very hard. Might be a lie cause when I was going to SW all the stores said that SW fish are not hardy. But its a lie!! The only thing they got right was about the money. It costs alot.

Allie

Check this out Look thru the whole site.
http://cichlidforum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_55g.php
Just go to your LFS see if yo like anything remember the name and
I recommend some Malawi cichlid, the smaller ones that get up to 5-6". You could have about 20-25 fish in a 55g but only with Malawi cichlids.

joy613

Are you going to have African or South American cichlids? I know at one of the LFS they have African cichlids all the time, finding South American cichlids around here is harder unless you are looking for angelfish or oscars. Some LFS can order fish.

Slug

Agree with the others, easily.

African, you can pack more fish in the tank and have lots and lots of color and activity.

South and Central American, you will have to have less fish in the tank and they are generally more "dull" compared to their african counterparts. Still some very nice fish.

Amanda

Thanks for that link Allie! These fish are all so beautiful! I'm just worried that I may not be able to find any around here. I love Oscars, but even one would be too big for a 55 gal. right? A friend of mine has 2 in a 55 gal., they're huge! lol.

Allie

No problem.
LOL I always pick fish which aren't available in our area. So I settle for what's available locally or order in the species I like if I can find it on line.

Steve113

You could always have em shipped to you direclty.
I ordered me a spotted puffer lastnight - straight to my door!

Amanda

Shipping costs put me off. Paying for college - so money is a bit tight. I found 3 lfs that sell cichlids. One specificlly said that they sell african cichlids. I'll have to go to them when I get the chance.

Amanda

I joined cichlids-forum.com, but it's very different then here, lol. Not as friendly. I found 3 lfs that sell cichlids, not sure what kind. They didn't even know. So i just want to be well informed when I walk in, because the staff doesn't even know what they're selling (I called the stores). I think it would be easier to list what NOT to buy, lol. Oscars & JD's will get too big right?

Barbrella

Yes.

Africans are so beautiful and you can have many of them in a tank that size!

Just research carefully since some are more aggressive than others.

Amanda

I'm just nervous that because there are sooo many, that I'll get to the store & they'll sell me something under a different name or something like that. I'm not that familier with cichlids. One site I went on said that a pair of JD's could be kept in a 55 gal.

MissMTS

I know what you mean. Sometimes I don't even get an answer to my question, but their libraries and cookie cutters are very helpful. Sometimes if you find an old post that is asking something similar to what you want to know, you can get your answer from reading it. I would stay away from most of the larger new world cichlids. I think that a single jack dempsey would be okay in a 55, but honestly, it wouldn't be a very intersting tank IMO. I would definetly go with Africans. I would avoid tanks at the LFS that are just labled: Assorted African. If you have never had cichlids before, yellow labs are a great kind to start with

Slug

Yeah thats definitely an info only website, not a real community.

Take a pad and pen, jot down names, colors, descriptions and then come home and research it or ask!

Amanda

If anyone lives in the Hudson Valley, NY region & want to have a cichlid community - check out B&G's Pet Supplies. It has an amazing selection of Lake Malawi cichlids & the staff is actually very knowledgable! I walked in & was asked if I needed any help right away. They have a 75 gal. cichlid community tank in the front of the store, beautiful. They also breed some of the cichlids at the store from the community. They also sell other cichlids, such as Oscars - pretty good size juviniles. They have freshwater sharks in with the Oscars. Then they have all freshwater fish, saltwater fish, live rock, & odds & ends like crayfish & red lobster. Overall good store. Also breed & sell rodents and ferrets.

Amanda

Also, I know this is a hot topic - but would Parrots be okay in an african cichlid tank? They have 2 large parrots at the store & I think that they are so cute! Any opinions would be great.

Steve113

My local shop is the same - they have parrots with them too.
Seem to be ok - but it is a large tank...

Allie

Yeah I know I joined two years ago...they take forever to answer your question and the members don't usual have answers.

Steen16

WOW!!! glade i found this!! i have a 55g and am thinking about getting some cichlids!

Dojella

I got my 55 gallon cheap off of someone whose parrot had outgrown the tank. I found it hard to believe that a parrot had outgrown a 55, but when I went to pick up the tank, I got to see him in his new 100 gallon and he was huge...close to 12"! He was also 8 years old so a parrot would probably do OK in a 55 gallon at least a few years until you can get a bigger tank.