75gal african cichlid tank

[jrp1588]

If you frequent the IRC chat, I'm sure you've heard me going on about getting a 75gal tank for christmas which i plan to stock with Malawi cichlids. What I ask from you all are suggestions for what fish...and in what numbers you would have in this tank. FYI, my favorite malawi's are demasoni and electric yellow labs.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

YAY JASE! you are finally posting.

I take it that you are looking for Mbuna's. Possible fish: Labs, Aceis, Cobalts, Johanni, Electric Blues, well the list goes on and on. I would choose 3 females per 1 male. I haven't witnessed aggression due to uneven numbers, but if they breed, they will breed more readily.

 

[jrp1588]

yeah, I was leaning towards the mbunas. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[jrp1588]

Out of the list you gave me, my favorites are the labs, Acei, and cobalt. I like the smaller (5 or so inches) and more brightly colored ones. Would the demansoni fit in with this list? On a side note, what do you feed your cichlids? I was thinking of buying them some NLS cichlid mix...sounds good to me.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

New Life Spectrum is the best food for Africans IMO. Varied with flake, peas, and zuc. I don't have any personal experience with the Demansonis. Maybe someone can chime in who has.

 

[greenmaji]

Jase!.. yea.. I remember..
have you checked out cichlid-forums.com's cookie cutter suggestions?
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_75g.php
I reaserched and considered a lake malawi cichlid tank for my 75..
I did some more reaserch and found out I could do something a little more for less then I though.
btw.. NLS is suppose to be the best staple food for any fish from what Ive read..

 

[jrp1588]

Are you talking about your reef tank Bill? thanks for that link, that helps a lot...soo many options. I wonder how many of those fish i could actually find at the LFS.

 

[greenmaji]

the "reef" tank is in the works, still ordering parts and such.. yea.. thats what I was talking about..

 

[Fishyfanatic]

Definately go to the lfs and see what is available to you. Try not to purchase "Asst Africans". They tend to be mixed.

 

[jrp1588]

well, I know the walmart had some pretty "assorted" cichlids. But I wouldn't buy something like that from walmart, I'll have to check out the little LFS near me sometime.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

Yup, that would be a good idea.

 

[Zagz]

Good for you Jase doing your research! I'm excited for you getting the tank finally. I can't offer suggestions on mbuna though, I went with the peacock cichlids.

 

[Crippldogg]

You can do alot with a 75gal with mbuna.

If you like acei's a would do about 7 in that size tank. They love to school and will swim around all of the tank. If you really want demosani's get a lot. The need to be in big numbers since they will pick on each other constantly, like 12-15 in a 75 gallon. Then a 3rd species could be 4-5 labs or 4-5 cobalts like you mentioned you liked.

7 acei's
12-15 demonsani
4-5 labs or cobalts

As for a male to female ratio...acei's it really doesn't matter. demonsani it does, 2 or 3 males and the rest females. labs or cobalts 1 male rest females.

just my opinion...do some research on cichlid-forum.com, lots of great info there

Brian

 

[Fishyfanatic]

I would not put that many fish in a 75 gal tank. I'd do 15 tops. And then make sure there are plenty of caves and hiding places.

 

[Crippldogg]

as long as you got good filtration and maintain it, 20-25 fish in a 75 is no problem especially with demonsani...they are dwarf cichlids only grow to about 2-2.5".

I have 16 in a 55 gal and have no problems what so ever.