Nolan
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
As I am moving soon, I will be waiting to set up and stock a brand new Cichlid tank for at least a couple of months, but I figured I would get started planning everything out with everyone's help. I have had freshwater community tanks since I was a kid, but have never ventured into Cichlid territory. The only tank I currently have is a 37 gallon tropical community -- mostly Platies and neon tetras, but a couple of mollies and a couple of cory cats as well. I have been lurking for a couple of weeks now and trying to figure out everything I will need to get to successfully set up when I'm finally setteled in my new place.
So for stocking, I have been looking at Mbuna. I really like the Lake Victoria Cichlid as well, but it seems all of the colorful males I enjoy would be surrounded by colorless dull silver females.
I forget which forum or post I saw this information, but this is what I wrote down:
If all fish are under 5" long full grown, 18-22 would be lightly stocked, 23-26 would be medium stocked, and 26+ would be overstocked. So here is the stocking list I have landed on currently. I'm fairly certain all of these fish are co-existable (thats a word, right?), but am open for other ideas, critiques, discussion, etc. Also, I'm not sure what the "rules" are on the amount of species per tank, even if the numbers add up. (I think maybe the rule of thumb is 3 species suggested for a 55 gal)
4x - Pseudotropheus saulosi (1m / 3f)
4x - Labidochromis sp. "Hongi" (SRT) a.k.a. Red Top Kimpuma (1m / 3f)
4x - Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" (Msuli) a.k.a. Yellow Tail Acei (1m / 3f)
4x - Peudotropheus sp. "Acei" (Ngara) a.k.a. Ngara White Tail (1m / 3f)
4x - Cynotilapia sp. "elongatus mdoka" (1m / 3f)
Is 5 species too many for a 55 gallon tank? Can all of these species co-habitate? Will the two Acei be able to get along?
All insight is greatly appreciated.
So for stocking, I have been looking at Mbuna. I really like the Lake Victoria Cichlid as well, but it seems all of the colorful males I enjoy would be surrounded by colorless dull silver females.
I forget which forum or post I saw this information, but this is what I wrote down:
If all fish are under 5" long full grown, 18-22 would be lightly stocked, 23-26 would be medium stocked, and 26+ would be overstocked. So here is the stocking list I have landed on currently. I'm fairly certain all of these fish are co-existable (thats a word, right?), but am open for other ideas, critiques, discussion, etc. Also, I'm not sure what the "rules" are on the amount of species per tank, even if the numbers add up. (I think maybe the rule of thumb is 3 species suggested for a 55 gal)
4x - Pseudotropheus saulosi (1m / 3f)
4x - Labidochromis sp. "Hongi" (SRT) a.k.a. Red Top Kimpuma (1m / 3f)
4x - Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" (Msuli) a.k.a. Yellow Tail Acei (1m / 3f)
4x - Peudotropheus sp. "Acei" (Ngara) a.k.a. Ngara White Tail (1m / 3f)
4x - Cynotilapia sp. "elongatus mdoka" (1m / 3f)
Is 5 species too many for a 55 gallon tank? Can all of these species co-habitate? Will the two Acei be able to get along?
All insight is greatly appreciated.