How many can I fit in 55 gal..CICHLIDS?

[Wendy]

HI, I am filling a 55 g tank. How many cichlids can I put in. I bougth 4 today. They are 2 Kenyi (4-5") and 2 auratus Same size. Any help. Store told me maybe 2-4 more. THANKS

[t_chelle16]

Probably about 10 - 12 would be okay assuming you have plenty of caves.

-Chelle

[smarsh@psnw.com]

it all depends on the size your potential pet cichlids get. remember you want space to house them at maturity. but i suggest 1 inch of fish per gallon of WATER in your tank. also you have to remember that each cichlids needs enough room for there own territory plus extra room for mingaling during feeding time. so for a 55 id say tops is 8 cichlids.

[t_chelle16]

[jason]

will they kill each other

[gravity]

I have a 55g tank with African cichlids myself. In my tank, I've had 2 fish assassinated by others, but still have 10 alive and well. I have a lot of caves and am pretty good about water changes. The 4 fish you bought happen to be really aggressive. Almost all Africans are aggressive, but if your auratus are both male, you might lose one of them when the other establishes dominance.

The best way to prevent deaths are to have plenty of hiding spots and to break up lines of sight. My fish don't chase what they don't see. Set up some caves/rocks that provide areas where the less dominant fish can catch a break.

Also, the inch of fish per gallon rule is really, well... not so great. Red-tailed sharks, for example, get to be about 6" long, but need at least a 20 gallon tank. Would you keep an 10" fish in an 10 gallon tank? Yikes.

[M_wm]

[grnlemonade]

[t_chelle16]