55 cookie cutter

[Meredith]

I was looking at the "cookie cutter" set ups for a 55gallon tank... http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article...cutter_55g.php

I was looking at some of the set ups and it seems like most of these recommendations have a huge number of allowed fish. Just as an example ...

" Lake Malawi Haplochromine Aquarium

Select up to 3 groups (Only 1 male for each group is preferred. 9 fish total for the tank):
• Any Copadichromis species (except for larger species i.e. borleyi, jacksoni, etc.)
• Any Promotelas species (except for larger species, i.e. taeniolatus, spilontus, sp. "Mbenji Thick Lip", etc.)
• Any Aulonocara species (no jacobfriebergi)
• Any Placidichromis species (except for milomo)
• Otopharynx lithobates
• Any Nyassachromis species "

Looking at the sizes of these fish they range from 5.5 to 7.5 in. Now I realize you dont HAVE to have all these fish in there, but having 9, 5 in fish in a 55 seems like a lot to me. Is it? I am used to having a very under stocked aquarium and so I don't know if that REALLY is too much fish or if it only SEEMS like too much fish in comparison to what I have.
What do you think?

Yeah, that might be a little crowded, especially with a pleco in there if you want to keep algea under control.

[Fishyfanatic]

I don't think it's overcrowded with 9 fish. If Africans are slightly overstocked, it helps keep down on aggression. Weekly water changes are a must with these guys. So as long as you do once or twice a week water changes, you can easily stock what is listed. We are now up to twice a week because our cichlids are starting to reach adult size and pooping like adults. Also, some of the haps listed above stay relatively small (under 5 inches).

When you get into Mbuna (not sure if you were looking at Mbunas or only Haps), you can stock a little heavier, depending on the fish that you choose. Ie: Yellow labs.

[workfortheman]

Yup, I agree that overstocking is typical for the cichlid-0-philes. Cool site by the way!

[nomadofthehills]

For AFRICAN cichlidophiles


No one wants to overstock with centralians

[Meredith]

ok, thanks! Its really hard trying to decide what I want.