My 55g Malawi tank..tons of pics (updated 3/17/07)

[JustOneMore20]

I finally setup my African Mbuna tank that I've been asking about on here. I actually set it up on the 14th, but haven't got around to posting pictures on here yet.

Tank specs:
55g All Glass tank
Rena XP3 filter (established from my other 55g)
250 Visi therm heater
lots of slate rock
40lbs Eco Complete Cichlid sand
20lbs Tahition Moon sand
Corkscrew vallisneria

Fish:
9 Labidochromis caeruleus (yellow labs)
4 Pseudotropheus socolofi albinos (snow white socolofis)

I will be bringing the group of labs down to 6 eventually, when they get a bit bigger. The socolofi group will stay at 4, but I will most likely get a couple more so that I will have 1 male and 3 females. Right now all the fish are about 2 inches.

Tank:

Fish:

And a little contrast:

55g Mbuna and the 29g planted

The other two groups of fish will be Rusty Cichlids and Cynotilapia afra cobue. I will post more pictures when I get them!

Thanks for looking!

 

[GlitcH]

Looks nice kristin..........labs are my favorite mbuna.

Is the slate siliconed or just stacked?

 

[justrelax]

Nice job, looks great!

 

[JustOneMore20]

Thanks!

Is the slate siliconed or just stacked?

It is just stacked. I checked to make sure it was stable though, as I was stacking it. I will eventually rearrange when the fish are bigger. There is some plastic eggcrate under the sand to further stabilize the rock.

 

[maxwell1295]

Looks good!

All you need to do now is add some orange (Red Zebras?) and some blues (Maingano?).......

 

[JustOneMore20]

How about Rusty Cichlids (not quite orange) and some afra Cobue (blue)? I decided against Red Zebras...a little too mean for me.

 

[maxwell1295]

That sounds good too. I always liked the Afras, but I've read that the females can be a little drab in terms of color.

BTW, my Socolofi is a serious digger. He definitely tested ny rockwork and it seems to be holding pretty well. I can't see the inside of his cave, but it has to be down to the glass!

 

[severum mama]

Very pretty tank. Good job!

 

[WaterPond]

tank looks great! i love it. There is just something about red eyes on a fish that creeps me out, no idea why. I love how you have the tank setup though, the fish are pretty nice too. The two colours of fish really comliment each other.

 

[DeFeKt]

hey that looks fantastic, love the rockwork.
I to would steer away from red zebras, they are the most likely, and most often used, to cross breed with the labs.

Matt

 

[JustOneMore20]

Thanks everyone!

I to would steer away from red zebras, they are the most likely, and most often used, to cross breed with the labs.

Another reason not to get them. I have heard about how mean they are...that's why I'm not gonna get them...even though I know someone with fry! Oh well...just means I'll have to look harder for the fish I do want. I didn't know they would cross breed...I don't want any of that...so I'm glad I'm not getting them.

The Rustys won't be as colorful, but I think they will fit in nicely.

Hopefully I can get a really nicely colored male Cobue and he will the "centerpiece" of the tank.

Thanks for looking!

 

[JustOneMore20]

BTW, my Socolofi is a serious digger. He definitely tested ny rockwork and it seems to be holding pretty well.

One of my Socolofi has him a little trench dug. I noticed there was a pile of sand near my plants and then looked again later and he was hanging out there, so I assume he/she did it. I know I didn't! Thats where he sleeps at night.

 

[zenkatydid]

where did you get your rock?

 

[JustOneMore20]

I got my rock down the road from my house. Good 'ole Alabama slate.


Update: I added 8 Cynotilapia afra "orangeback" cobue last week. Pictures will come when I can get some decent ones. I'm adding a group of Eureka peacocks next week (A. jacobfreibegi). Then the tank will be stocked. I'll eventually bring the numbers down to where I want them. All the fish are juveniles now, so I'm gonna let them grow some before I choose who goes to new homes.

 

[JustOneMore20]

I have new pictures!

whole tank

I have a lovely green algae backdrop. Its actually quite natural looking. You can see the lines in it where the fish have been having snacks. They try to clean up the tank for me.

And for some of the fish:

one of my male cobue "orangebacks"...I have atleast 3 out of 8...maybe even 4

these are of the same male...he's the most photogenic...the others hide

one of the others

the males get really light when they chase after the women...trying to impress them i imagine (sorry for the blurriness)

female cobue

yellow lab

And the newest additions...A. jacobfreibergi (Eurekas)

eureka and a female cobue

eureka...they don't like being photographed either...they are still young, so haven't colored up yet...I hope to have atleast one male out of the group

I love watching these guys...they are so interesting. 3 of my male cobues have their hiding places in the top rocks and they'll hang out in there and then dart out to chase the females. They are still small, but these guys are making themselves kings of the tank. The Eurekas are just checking the place out, as I got them this past Friday. They are so cute with their big eyes. I hope they color up soon, as they are blending in with my female cobue a bit, except for their big eyes. I have 3 little Eurekas in my 10g (took out the plants and swapped to crushed coral) that are right at 1 inch. Although the guy who sold the Eurekas to me kept the little ones with the others, I was afraid my Socolofis would pick on them. I'm going to keep them in my 10g for a couple weeks atleast. Next weekend I plan to rearrange my rocks because I can't get to the nasty stuff (poo, food) behind them with my python, so I need to do some cleaning. I hope to make more hiding spots for my little guys and hopefully move them soon.

One of the littleones

the tank for size comparison

Thanks for looking!

 

[DeFeKt]

always in awe of this tank,

love your work

Matty.

 

[rich311k]

Looking good. Great fish.

 

[maxwell1295]

Wow! Those male Cobue are striking!

 

[JustOneMore20]

Thanks guys! Yes the male Cobue are gorgeous! I wish I could keep them all, but I will only keep one male and 3-4 females. They colored up after a couple weeks of having them...so beautiful!

 

[crazyred]

Those are some gorgeous fish! I LOVE those blue ones!!! Wow, I think I might need another 55. LOL I would love to have some Malawi's and my water params are perfect for them. I hear a case of MTS coming on.....gee, thanks Kristin! LOL Calling Dr. Iva Phistank! Where are you?

Great job!