amout in 20 gallon tank

Does anyone have any idea about how many african cichilds can be put in a 20 gallon tank?

not to many maybe one or 2 i would the experts but they get a pretty good size.

Depends on what kind...

Mbuna are very aggressive, 20 Gallons aren't recommended

Victorians can be kept in a trio of 1M/2F..or maybe 3F

A pair of Julies or other Tangs....

Lots of people keep Shell dwellers in 20L's with no problems, I've never done it so I'll let someone else pitch in.

I must say after going to the best cichlid store in Nashville today and seeing how BIG my Malawi lake species will get - I wouldn't put them in a 20.

Now there are some adorable Dwarf Cichlids like the Blue's, German Golden, and Butterflies that are not only perfectly happy in a smaller tank - but they coexist well with most of the barbs/tetras and even mollies. I now own two young pairs of them. I think they are as pretty as my young Malawi lake Peacocks are! And much more versatile in tank mates/arrangements.

You can go with a few africans in there. I would try some of the smaller ones though. A few brichardi ( there are many different types), comps or calvus, shell dwellers, demasoni, african gobies, and there are a bunch I cant think of. All these fish either do not get too big or grow really slow. Most people say one inch of fish per gallon, I say 1 fish per gallon. I have alot of my breeding groups in 30 and 40 long aquariums and most have 25 to 45 fish in each. As lonmg as you over filter and do water changes you will be fine. Add lots of rocks and it will work

The only problem with what you just said is that some people will take that the wrong way. An experienced fish keeper can pull that off, but a beginner cannot. I would recommend everyone start with less than 1 inch of fish per gallon and work your way up. As long as your ammonia levels or nitrite levels don't spike, you're okay. Frequent water changes, over filtration, and strict maintenance and diet are very important if you overstock.

I would just get a bigger tank...you will end up with one in the end anyways.

KMK wrote
I would just get a bigger tank...you will end up with one in the end anyways.

in a 20 gals 3 or 4 africans but start think about a 55 75 or bigger for display

that 1" per gallon rule is voided when it comes to africans, would you put your 10" malawi eye biter in a 10 gallon tank? There are some dwarf species that would work, but you are limited. I agree with kory, go with a bigger tank.

with the banker. I had to keep my 7 inch Venustus in a 10g for a few weeks, and you talk about one pissed off fish! Even if you start off in a 20g, u will have to upgrade really soon since they grow very fast

There are dwarf Africans, you just have to shop around.

I agree with CSnyder00, If you don't know what you're doing go with less rather than more. I've got a majorly overstocked planted barb tank - but the plants + filtration keep the Nitrate/Nitrite levels VERY low. Have more problems with the Cichlid tank spiking - even with it being very understocked for the 55G (If you go with the 1" per gallon rule. There's 1" per 7G in that tank!) Frankly, it's because the plants are superior in Nitrate/Nitrite control. Even though it's not recommended to have plants w/cichlids I'm going to try planting them in pots and sinking the pots with stones over them. Hoping it'll keep the cichlids from digging them up.

I still recommend trying something like the German Blue Cichlids. They are more the size for the tank.

lol with KMX you will end up with another tank, look at me i started with a 75gl and less than 2 months i have 2 more tanks lol, i think is suppose to be 1 fish every 5gl im not sure..

well i used to have a 125g with africans in it but its a community tank now. I wanted a few of the dwarfs in the 20g but i think ill stick with some smaller fish