unclenedsfishfactory.com

I have kept mainly cichlids for a while now, but only new worlds. I'm looking to start keeping and breeding a species of rift lake cichlids. I'm not worried about sensitivity, since I've kept many picky fish in the past. The main quality that I'm looking for is an adult size small enough for it to be bred in a 20 gallon tank. Any suggestions? It would also be nice if you included the actions that I would have to take to get its prefered water chemistry. Thanks in advance.

I would do any of the small Tanganyikans
Julidochromis
Shell dwelling Lamprologus

or
some of the West Africans
Pelvicachromis
Nanochromis

we usually have some of each in stock

How hard and alkaline does the water have to be? Would using crushed coral as a substrate be enough?

How hard and alkaline does the water have to be?
aprox pH 8.0 - 8.5
Would using crushed coral as a substrate be enough?
yes, sometimes also use Rift Lake Salts if starting with super soft water
for the Tanganyikans


about pH 6.8 - 7.2 for the West Africans

Ok, sounds good. Thank you. One more thing. Do you know a website that has tap water parameters? I'm almost sure from past experiences that my tap water's hard, but I've never tested it.

we sell a cheap test that does
alkalinity, general hardness, pH
and also
nitrite & nitrate

$14 for 25 tests

I agree with Ned - I'd go with a shell dwelling tangenikan - neolamprologus multifaciatus etc - they are extremely easy to breed, and don't need large tanks.

In fact - I've got a "colony" now in a 55g. I started with maybe 8-12 fish - now I've got at least 50 of all sizes (adults are 1-1.5 inches). I don't "do" anything -- no special care, no special food. I give the tank pretty much the same food as all my other tanks ( although I tend to feed smaller pellets and tiny frozen foods like daphnia), and don't give the tank any more water changes than any of my other tanks.

I use sand on the bottom, and crushed coral in a corner "bubble-up" filter, along with lots and lots of snail shells (the fish live in them).
Unlike you, I've got extremely soft water (liquid cotton) - so I've been using seachem's Lake Tang buffer to set my pH and alk.
But crushed coral substrate should do the trick.

Because I'm using a 55g, I've also got piles of rockwork in the ends of the tank, and a second cichlid species in there (
Neolamprologus marunguensis ) -- in a 20g I'd just put a handful of "shellies" in and watch the multiplication !