New tank set-up, please help

[Fishman02]

I have decided to take up fish as a hobby and have been researching them for a couple of weeks now. I have decided to get some Cichlids (Lake Malawi species) because they seem aggressive, colorful and intelligent fish. I justed moved into a new apartment and due to space I cannot get the largest of tanks. To fit my needs, I fell in love with a 46 gallon bow-front acquarium. It is only about 36' long, but fits perfectly in my apartment. My questions are as follows: Can this size tank house about 6 Cichlids and 2 plecos? Will this tank be too heavy for an apartment building? Will the fish outgrow this tank?

Much appreciated!!

[Karl]

it depends on what cichlids you are keeping wether they will get to big or not. and i thon it will be fine since you are in an apartment building and i think they can hold more weight.

[SGypsyMermaid]

your floor should be able to handle that size tank. have you looked at any species of fish, yet...do you have any idea what you'd like to keep?

[Fishman02]

I haven't decided on the exact species, but I want large aggressive cichlids, the bigger the better. I am willing to sacrifice quantity for size, so if the tank can only hold 4-6 cichlids with an algae eater, that is fine. I don't think the tank is that small at 46g but I am far from an expert. Please help as I want to return the tank today if it cannot handle the size of the fish I want.

[SGypsyMermaid]

Originally posted by Fishman02
I haven't decided on the exact species, but I want large aggressive cichlids, the bigger the better. I am willing to sacrifice quantity for size, so if the tank can only hold 4-6 cichlids with an algae eater, that is fine. I don't think the tank is that small at 46g but I am far from an expert. Please help as I want to return the tank today if it cannot handle the size of the fish I want.

unfortunately, you are mistaken. that tank is too small for large aggressive cichlids unless you're going to get only one. large fish require large tanks and large, aggressive fish need even more space.

[Fishman02]

Thanks for the reply, point-taken. How large can an aggressive Cichlid get? You think 1 in a 46g is ok? What about a Jack Dempsey or an Oscar if its just 1 fish?

[SGypsyMermaid]

jack dempseys and oscars are not even close to being the most aggressive of cichlids. a dempsey will do fine in that tank, but an oscar will outgrow it in short order.

[Fishman02]

SGypsyMermaid, I've seen you post replies to people and give them advice about keeping 12 Cichlids in a 55g tank, and I am under the impression my 46g is no good. I am starting to become depressed because I don't want to fall in love with a hobby only to realize I've short-changed myself since my tank is too small. What is your personal opinion on what to put in a 46g? How big can a Dempsey really get? I like the Oscars because they are large interesting fish to watch. I've been to plenty of LFS and I have seen 2 Oscars in 30g tanks (maybe its wrong) but what is the largest (in your opinion) I can fit in my 46g keeping a healthy fish?

[Karl]

are you planing on keeping africans or american cichlids in there? And what types are you intersted in. i dont think a single oscar would be fine in the 46. When you ask how big do dempsey get do you want one? if you do you can deffinetly get 1 in your tank and maybe more.

[aharris]

There's a difference between Neotropical and African Cihclids. When you start talking about JDs and Oscars, you're talking about Neotropicals. They tend to get much larger (8"+) and need a lot more personal space than the Africans. For Africans, overcrowding works just fine which is why she recommends that many cichlids in a 55g. If you wanted to keep African mbuna cichlids, then you could probably go with a similar although slightly smaller number, but you sound like you want Neotropicals and they take different requirements.

Maybe you should ask the Neotropical guys on this forum what cichlids would work for you, and I'll bet they'll tell you much the same as she would when you start to talk about Neotropicals.

[jonah]

Basicly it gets down to a group of mbuna, or one or two moderately aggressive neos like firemouths, convicts, jack dempsy, etc... You might be able to keep a jack and firemouth or a jack and a convict, but you should ask the experts in the neo board.

You could probably keep 10 or 12 mbuna in a 46 if you had enough rock in it to give plenty of hiding places. I'd still stick to the less hostile mbuna like rusties or electric yellows.

BTW, fish in stores are only supposed to be there for a short time. That's why you see oscars in little tanks. It's not right in my opinion to put large adults in 30g tanks long term, but I can also understand the space limitations faced by the store.

[Mbuniac]

Fishman,
Whether you go with Africans or American continent cichlids the advice you received is correct. If you go for the larger species you will be extremely limited. Probably one and maybe two depending upon the species. You originally said you wanted cichlids from Lake Malawi. The larger species are generally "Haps" (Haplochromis) several of them reach 10''-12". The mbuna generally average 5"-7". IMHO I would get the "aggressive" idea out of the picture. All cichlids will be territorial, some species more than others. Concentrate on species that are compatible. Put a Kenyii or an Auratus in with some of the less aggressive mbuna and you'll find out the hard way. I did! Some of the most beautiful fish from Malawi have fairly mild temperment (relatively speaking). If you're set on a larger number of fish, Lake Tanganyika has "MANY" small and spectacularly colored fish. Of course, I'm partial to Malawi.
Continue to do your research and learn as much as you can on particular fish care and prepare your tank properly before you buy any fish. Different fish=Different water requirements.
LOL, Sam