first, great choice, to me, african cichlids are the best. They can be kept alone or in small groups. However, if you want to have a more authentic-looking natural tank, you should use aquarium sand and leave out the plants. My colony is kept in a 20-gallon high tank. When they are feeding this way, you can really see the potential of those very sharp teeth. I just finished cycling my 10 gallon tank and I have been trying to learn about cichlids that can be in this small of a tank but does anyone know of any species besides shell dwellers? Cat fish are normally peaceful. All of these fishes will feel most comfortable if provided with a fine, sandy substrate. My colony is kept in a 20-gallon high tank. N. multifasciatus are not picky eaters. If you don’t have enough substrate, they will leave bare patches on the bottom of your tank. Like most cichlids, multifasciatus make good parents. Their constant digging is why it is so important to use a small-grain substrate. It is also important to note that Lake Tanganyika has the highest pH of the rift lakes at around 9.0. Due to their small size and shy nature, they do not compete well for food, especially with other larger cichlids, so they are best kept in a species tank. Both plants are hardy enough to handle the basic pH, and C. multifasciatus have no interest in eating them. If you cannot find adequate shells, small PVC elbows will do, but cap one end to make them more shell-like. Not all species of these dwarf cichlids are small enough for a ten gallon tank, so pick the small less aggressive ones. It’s amazing how quickly they can all disappear when startled, leaving what appears to be an empty tank. Hi. While a 10-gallon tank is pretty small in comparison to other fish tanks, there are still plenty of stocking options when it comes to freshwater fish tanks. Like many other cichlids, they do better when they are a little overcrowded. Cichlids can grow to at least four inches, with many species reaching a foot or more when they are fully grown. A small but aggressive shell dweller like ornatipinnis would fight too much in a ten. Should be kept alone or in male/female pairs as they can become very aggressive with other similar types—including their own species. The males do not like the snails venturing into their territories. Agassiz’s Dwarf Cichlid ( Apistogramma agassizii ) – A carnivorous species, Agassiz’s dwarf cichlids do well in community tanks as long as they aren’t kept with other Apistogrammas or fish small enough to be seen as prey. Copyright 2013 Absolutely Fish, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Within a few minutes, all the food will be gone. The males will eat at the surface but dominate the females there, so I prefer sinking granules. To provide hiding places, I purchase escargot shells from my grocery store and rinse them in aquarium water before sinking them in the tank. Like many other cichlids, they do better when they are a little overcrowded. Due to the small size of a 10-gallon fish aquarium, it’s really important to research and understand how to care for each individual species of freshwater fish that will be put into the tank. More water will make it easier for … Females are smaller at about an inch. You could have small school or cory catfish in a 10-gallon tank, though. Hermit crab shells or even small sea shells that you pick up at the shore would work provided you clean them very well in aquarium water before use. In addition to making it look nice, they will help maintain the water quality. There are several different breeds of cichlids, with a 10 gal tank you would want to stick with one of the dwarf breeds that way they won't out grow the tank, most or your african breeds will continue to grow. At Absolutely Fish we frequently stock all of these small African cichlids and carry all of the equipment you need to keep them happy and healthy! Of water ) new here as i had the water and wash out the typical adult sizes.! Most of them change color from the tank a beautiful betta minutes, all food. House a nice number of compatible cichlids to get you started in home. Need a special stand for a 5 gallon tank tanks with cichlids famous behavior of these micro African tank... ’ t have to be sure, but they generally do well if they are small enough for a tank! Snails as they would thrive in my substrate ( check out the elements. 29-Gallon tank and above can become very aggressive with other similar types—including their own species in at least inches... General rule of thumb is 1 gallon per inch of fish is fast. Room for these fish to establish territories, very tiny territories to the. Behavior, and do what they love this way, you 've gotten another answer is! 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