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Posts: 20
From:Denton, TX 76201
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-23-2003 09:15 PM         

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What size tank is good for only two cichlids? Right now mine are both about 3 inches long.

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posted 12-23-2003 10:27 PM         

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It depends on the cichlids. Rough measurement 1" of fish per 3 gallons of water. Calculate from expected size at maturity.

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Posts: 16
From:middlesex, nj usa
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-29-2003 01:47 PM         

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for the moment they would be good in a 10 gallon but they are going to grow i heard that its a gallon per inch...that seems to work for me with no problems

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posted 12-29-2003 10:18 PM         

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Hi sinciputal8, the 1" per gallon is for small tropicals. Large tropicals like Cichlids and Marine fish need at least 1" per 3 gallons of water.

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Posts: 16
From:middlesex, nj usa
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-31-2003 04:46 AM         

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THEN HOW COME ALL OF MY FISH ARE STILL ALIVE AND HAPPY GOING BY THE GALLON PER INCH??

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Posts: 83
From:APG, MA, USA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-31-2003 05:24 AM         

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I agree with Kc5gvn.

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Posts: 266
From:Canada
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-31-2003 07:23 AM         

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sinciputal8, 1"/fish is a rule of thumb, and like most rules of thumb do not apply to all situations. Fat bodied fish, messy eaters and large, fast swimmers obviusly will have higher requirements. Likewise, schoolers can be fairly heavily populated (within reason) as long as adequate filtration and tank maintenance is provided, since they tend to crowd together anyway (ie: my tetras). Some cichlids are very aggresive, territorial and large and need the room. Smaller or less aggressive cichlids may be more manageable. Also, there are variables such as # of hiding places (plants/rocks etc) that effect density (generally at least 1/cichlid + an extra or two for them to choose)If you have managed to combine several large aggressive fish at 1"/fish congrats, but it is more risky. Also, everyone is able to read regular print and get your point, there's no need for all caps.

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From:Canada
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-31-2003 07:26 AM         

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By the way, 1"/3 gallon for marine fish is fairly liberal. Much of what I've read recommends more like 5 gallon - and 3 for brackish. I haven't run a marine tank - yet - but I thought I'd through it out there and see what people think.

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posted 12-31-2003 04:05 PM         

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Hi katanas_edge, It may be 1"/5 gal now. I haven't run a Mrine tank in years. At that time people didn't put live rock in their Marine tanks and that may have some bearing on the "new to me" dimensions. If you start to overcrowd a Marine tank you'll find out in a big hurry with outbreaks of Oodinium. As a side note, If I were to set up a Marine tank today I would still not use live rock since the best treatment for Oodinium is copper.

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Posts: 61
From:Alabama
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 01-02-2004 09:00 PM         

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do some research on the type cichlids you have some grow as large a 18 inches plus. It also depends on filtration and how much time you want to spend on maintnance. To be safe if your going with cichlids go with 55 gallon so they can grow.

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