Jun
05

How many cichlids in a 40 gal and what temp?

I have a 40gal tank and will like to know how many cichlids could I keep in there, plus what temp should I keep the water?

by tdomf_39367 on June 5th, 2009 in Beginner Aquarium
  1. David wrote on June 12th, 2009 at 1:31 pm Uhr1

    I would like to say…it really depends on a number of things but the main thing is filtration and frequency of water changes. If you are looking to put fish in there a good rule of thumb is for africans 2 inches of fish per gallon. However if the fish are large at adulthood this number of fish needs to be smaller. Weekly water changes of 20% are a must and feeding once a day and starving once a week is appropriate, unless you are buying fish smaller than about 1 inch. If you wish to discuss this further, please feel free to email me. Good Luck and welcome to the World of Cichlids!

  2. paul wrote on June 29th, 2009 at 2:16 pm Uhr2

    you can wait until they get bigger

  3. joe wrote on July 9th, 2009 at 5:56 am Uhr3

    I would like to say…u can keep the fish and they will grow but not that big you can also put a few more african cichlids in the tank. If you tried to breed the fish you would need a much bigger tank.(at least a 55 gallon tank)

  4. sockyee wrote on July 15th, 2009 at 8:05 am Uhr4

    There are variable factors related to species size that will determine how many cichlids you can keep. For me, if let’s say I have Lab. Caeruleus, I would not go more than 5 of them in the same tank.

  5. Kipton wrote on July 23rd, 2009 at 4:14 pm Uhr5

    I would like to say…A good rule of thumb w common cichlids is one fish per eight to ten gallons of water. Thats if your setting up a tank as some would say the correct way! Some people over populate and yes this helps control aggresion but is not really recommended. I personally have a 90 gallon cichlid tank with a dozen cichlids. I tried to make it as much like there natural enviroment as possible. Meaning lots of caves and rocks. I like plants but the cichlids like them to (digging them up i should say!) which is a battle you will not win! Filters and frequent water changes are also a major factor!

  6. Kipton wrote on July 23rd, 2009 at 4:18 pm Uhr6

    I would like to say…Oh yeah 72 to 82 degrees on water temp 78 is what i like my fish do well! you also need to know the ph balance of a cichlid tank should be around 8 to 8.5

  7. Karen wrote on July 24th, 2009 at 12:46 pm Uhr7

    I would like to say…I jsut left the petstore. I have a 35 gal. tank with 2 cichlids and 1 algee eater fish. The woman at the store told me I should not put any more cichlids in there. Is this true?

  8. Shaun Hall wrote on August 20th, 2009 at 1:58 pm Uhr8

    I’m one of the different ones. My friend and I have been raising, breeding and pairing cichlids most of our lives. They are probably some of the most colorful, vibrant, active and personable fish you’ll ever find in fresh water. I seriously over populate my tank because based on my wife and I’s EPERIENCE, african and convict cichlids are happier and more active the more you have in the tank. I have approximately 12 Convicts in a 55 gallon with about 16 Africans and they love life. The filter system is hellacious mind you, but I feed them twice a day and there is never any fighting other than the usual playing. They even breed and respect each others space for the frye. If you set your tank up correctly and have adequate filtering, you can put as many cichlids in one tank as you wish. in this case, the more the marrier!!!

  9. Shaun Hall wrote on August 20th, 2009 at 1:59 pm Uhr9

    Oh and for temp….78-80 for breeding purposes; 72 to 76 otherwise. they are very tolerant and hardy to temperatures.

  10. bobby wrote on August 20th, 2009 at 8:51 pm Uhr10

    I have a 55 gallon with a variety of 12 differnt african chiclids and im having no problems whatsoever out of them. One trick I did do when I first purchased them was to buy 6 femals and I let them have the tank first for a good 2 weeks then I intoduced 12 males right before there dinner time and shut the lights out soon after. The femals kept there dominace over the males and I’ve seen less fin tear and damages to my fish when I run a female dominate tank. But I will see how it works out as they get to full size. Just make sure you have plenty of hidding spots for each fish to take cover and you should be fine. Another little trick I stumbled on is the chiclids actually like a current in the tanks just like a salt water setup. :)

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