too many for my 29g?

[nicosia31]

I'm a rookie so bear with me I work at petco and just started my 29g. my aquatics specialist told me 6-7 africans would do well; once they got larger I can bring them to the store and adopt them out. I can't help but feel like its a bit crowded. They are all about 2".
I have had the following for a little over a week:
Red peacock
Yellow lab
Blue johanni male
Yellow tail acei
red zebra
Rusty

Too much? Reaserch has told me these fish need at least 40g.

 

[Cichlid Kid]

Yep I'd say thats a bit much. For one thing i dont think peacocks should b mixed with mbunas. Also, a 29gal is big enough for maybe 4 adult labs. If your only using the aquarium for a grow out tank then I'd say 5-6 juveniles would b doable.

 

[Malawi Freak]

I'm a rookie so bear with me I work at petco and just started my 29g. my aquatics specialist told me 6-7 africans would do well; once they got larger I can bring them to the store and adopt them out. I can't help but feel like its a bit crowded. They are all about 2".
I have had the following for a little over a week:
Red peacock
Yellow lab
Blue johanni male
Yellow tail acei
red zebra
Rusty

Too much? Reaserch has told me these fish need at least 40g.

A 29 is too small. Yellow labs COULD work in there but even that is a bit crammed. The acei, zebras, johanni (the most aggressive one you have), and peacock need 4' of swimming space. Those mbuna will harass the peacock too and you will notice a loss in coloration.

 

[Fishie]

A 29 is too small. Yellow labs COULD work in there but even that is a bit crammed. The acei, zebras, johanni (the most aggressive one you have), and peacock need 4' of swimming space. Those mbuna will harass the peacock too and you will notice a loss in coloration.

Yes but overstocking African cichlids tank is good for aggression but not with small tank ( not saying 29G is small but for fishes). Yellow labs are amazing but I agree with both ^

 

[nicosia31]

Thanks all. Well this is a problem.. sounds like I stocked this tank completly wrong. I have noticed the peacock acts differently. I haven't seen them chase her too much, acually I thought she was the boss. She will chase the rusty all over if he comes close. would I have to take the established lab out to be able to add others?

I can't help but feel disappointed. Sounds like I need a whole new setup to make cichlids feel comfortable.

 

[Cichlid Kid]

I know how u feel. If u have the space available shop around for a 55gal. With that upgrade you'd be in business. Dont give up. Where there's a will there's a way

 

[nicosia31]

Sounds good. I'm shopping around for a 55 or hopefully a 75. So my plan is to return the peacock and possibly the rusty. Would the other four be ok for a week or two until I can get some spending cash?

 

[Malawi Freak]

Yea. Just keep an eye out for any aggression issues. If you do try separating the bully.

 

[nicosia31]

Will do. Thanks.

 

[nicosia31]

So peacocks are not good tank mates with mbunas only because of the differences in their aggression level?

 

[Malawi Freak]

So peacocks are not good tank mates with mbunas only because of the differences in their aggression level?

They are too peaceful for a more aggressive species like mbuna. They will hold their own within other peaceful Africans especially when they dig there territories out but won't on a normal basis chase others around on a consistent basis.

 

[Malawi Freak]

Diet requirements are another.

 

[Labenator65000]

I'm a rookie so bear with me I work at petco and just started my 29g. my aquatics specialist told me 6-7 africans would do well; once they got larger I can bring them to the store and adopt them out. I can't help but feel like its a bit crowded. They are all about 2".
I have had the following for a little over a week:
Red peacock
Yellow lab
Blue johanni male
Yellow tail acei
red zebra
Rusty

Too much? Reaserch has told me these fish need at least 40g.

IMHO nothing in this list except perhaps 2 or 3 Labs will work in a tank of that size. Really a 55 minimum is better for African Cichlids. Watch that Johannii. It could turn into a killer overnight. There are smaller cichlids that you could select from...

 

[Pton46]

AqAdvisor - Intelligent Freshwater Tropical Fish Aquarium Stocking Calculator and Aquarium Tank/Filter Advisor

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