I have a 20 gallon cichlid aquarium. I have in it (1) 1.5 in. Electric Yellow (1) 1.5 in. Demansoni (1) 1.5 in. Jewel Cichlid and (1) 2.5 in. 6-striped Frontosa Cichlid. I know these fish will grow to be much larger, and I am thinking about purchasing another aquarium. I would like to add a flameback hap. and a freshwater snowflake moray eel. I need to know what dimensions of a tank would be best for these fish. I would also like to know what other fish you would suggest for this tank, when I do purchase a bigger one. ALSO, if anyone knows where I can find a large, used aquarium for not a truckload of money. Any help would be appreciated. THANX

The man at the pet department of my local department store said that each inch of fish from nose to the tip of the tail needs one gallon of water to be healthy, happy and grow. He said that this is true with tropical and non tropical fish.

i run a pet store in gorgia and some other fish that i have kept with chiclads incluse: striped and spoted raphiales, syndonis, and plecos. with the smaller ones you can also put in a large sleeper goby but he would have to come out when the fish got bigger

Don't follow the one gallon per inch rule, especially for large fish. This is one of those rules, like the only grows to the size of the aquarium one, that just doesn't work. It takes a good eye, as well as a knowledge of your fish to judge what size aquarium they should be housed in. I like to leave lots of swimming room for my fish. I'm a light stocker. But anyway, definetely buy the largest aquarium you can afford. For large fish, say a foot or more, I'd think you'd want to get at least a 100 gallon aquarium. Or somewhere around there anyway. One thing to remember that many can forget, is to stock your fishtank with the fishes adult size in mind, not their current size.

As far as finding a reasonablly priced big tank you could try ebay. Occationally you'll find a good deal, not too often, but occastionally. I just got a 60 gallon for $51 there. You'd have to look there often. You can also try AquaBid.com. My LFS (local fish store)often has used tanks for sale. I don't know where they come from, but often they are large and in good condition. Check out all the LFS's in your area.

Good luck!!

yes, definately consider how large your fish might be as an adult. Here is a website that has info on your type of fish. I should have included this before, sorry.



http://www.aquariumfish.net/indexes/cichlids.htm#top2

Chazz, you are right. It takes 3 gal of water per 1 in. (body of fish) for them to grow to maturity.
I have Pond Fish - Goldfish/Koi.

Ug... I used to work in one of those pet stores that said the 1= 1gallon rule. I lived by it for a long time too. Of course I have never owned anything bigger then a dwarf cichlid (agassizii).
Now I have some very small angels, they look pretty big to my wild guppies and cardinals... but there are only two in my 30 hex with about 15 or so small tetras and wild colored guppies, and I might add that my tank is hevily filtered and even more hevily planted! And regular water changes are the norm. I have never owned or delt much with africans... they were too agressive to keep with guppies and cardinals...but I have seen them happily crammed into large tanks and then I have seen one or two small ones with huge tanks to themselves. If I were you I would head to the library and do lots of reading! And as far as tank size goes... the bigger the better! In finding my 60 gal I put an add in the local paper just saying that I wanted a tank... I got tons of responses! Just be prepared to clean and possibly reseal. My father in law just picked up an antique 55 with the metal rims for $10 at a garage sale! I haven't seen it personally yet, but the last three he found me were in very good condition, including a 26 long that is a really unusual shape, long and narrow. (great coral grow out tank...)
Anyway lots of research and enjoy your fish!