30 gallon cichlid tank.

Question
Hi I Am 15 and recently got a 30 gallon tank for my birthday I wanted to know if the people at petsmart were correct they told me that it was fine to have a blood red parrot, green terror and jack Dempsey cichlid in the same tank they get along fine there about an inch each and I got them a week ago. Is my tank to small they have caves for hiding drift wood natural tank ornaments and artificial plants. This ismy first aquarium with cichlids I have two ten gallons. And how long will my cichlids take to be fully grown to 8-10 inches?

Answer
Hi Jim,
 I do not agree with the folks at Petsmart.  Imagine that each of your fish is 8-10 inches long -- how would they even fit in a 30 gallon tank together.  In fact, a 30 gallon tank is not a great home for any of those fish even individually -- they get too large.  A 30 gallon tank is not large enough for even one 10 inch fish.  I strongly suggest that you get some smaller fish. They will be much happier in the long term.  

-- Ron C.
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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