Housing Cichlids

Question
Can a single Convict or Firemouth cichlid be kept in a 10 gallon aquarium? Does the "one fish per gallon" rule apply with cichlids? Which of these two cichlids is easier to maintain? Thank you for your help!

Answer
Hi Tony,
 Yes a single convict or firemouth can be successful in a 10 gallon tank.  Either is equally easy to maintain.  The "one fish per gallon" rule isn't really a rule so much as a VERY vague general
passing thought/guideline that doesn't really mean much in most circumstances.  For instance, you certainly could not keep a 10 inch Midas cichlid in a 10 gallon tank but you could keep 20 one-half inch midas cichlids in a 10 gallon tank with few problems.  

-- Ron C.
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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