Dwarf cichlid pair

[Cuban]

Hey all I am new here and was wondering what would be a good species of dwarf cichlid for me to keep in my 12 gallon tank. It is cycling right now with some vallisneria torta. I was thinking something that stays pretty small and is pretty simple to care for. thanks in advance.

 

[Zagz]

Welcome to AA, you could have a pair of apistogramma's, they can be very beautiful. IMO no dwarf cichlid is easy to care for, they require pristine water. Are you adding an ammonia source for your cycle? If not your cycle will not progress. The cycle has to have an ammonia source in order to start and keep moving.

 

[Cuban]

thanks. yeah, i'm adding amonia, its been cycling for a little over a week. apistogramma's were what i was leaning toward.

 

[Gillie]

What kind?

 

[Voodoo Chilli]

Cacatuoides are a great "starter" dwarf.

 

[gheitman]

A pair of cockatoo apistos can do fine in a 12g tank but you want to make sure and have plenty of plants, rocks, caves, etc. There will be times when one fish will chase the other and you want to have places where it can withdraw to in safety.

 

[Voodoo Chilli]

And you'll want to make sure the tank is FULLY cycled before adding any Apistos.

 

[kribensis12]

You could use kribs( there my favorite). The minnimum tank size is a 10g( i mean MINNIMUM), i personally keep them in a 15g or bigger. They will need losts of cave's( such as clay flower pots, coconut shells, rock structures), and will breed readily. Most bussiness will readily accept the babies for around $2 a piece. In my experience, they dont super pristine wter like every other dwarf does( it is advisable though). Here is a pic in breeding colors( my female): http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u274/krib2007/femalekribensispairingof.jpg
And here is a albino male and female: http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u274/krib2007/albinomale.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u274/krib2007/maleandfemalealbino.jpg

Hope you like( sorry about quality)