African Cichlid Question

[daninarizona]

With my baby African Cichlids growing I was just curious what size tank would be good enough real estate for territorial reasons?

Looking at 4 Red Empress, 4 Electric Blue and 4 OB Zebra to house.

[Coler]

big is always better...you can go on the basis of trying to give each fish enough space for a territory but that's frankly unrealistic for most people. So with African's you're often going to overstock instead, in order to prevent the fish from claiming too large a territory, or claiming one at all.

I would say you want a 55 gallon tank and the longer the better, with lots of rockwork.

[daninarizona]

What's a good number of species in a 55 to prevent the fighting? 20? 30? I'm cringing when I throw these numbers out there :)

[Coler]

depends on the filtration, decor, how much maintenance you're willing to undertake and, most importantly the species mix, the individual fish and the gender mix.

30 is probably pushing a lot of parameters in a 55 pretty far. Around 12 - 15 is more realistic.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/quick_reference_list.php here's a link to some stuff including a cookie cutter type suggested stocking reference

edit : I was reading your q as asking how many fish as opposed to species...species wise you might mix 3 species in a 55 if you're doing a mix of species and not e.g. an all male tank in which case you don't mix species and try and avoid similar colourations

[Rbishop]

Do you know the gender mix of the ones you have?

[Coler]

also, you're likely never going to cut out all the aggression - that's just in the fish. It's a question of management.

[daninarizona]

depends on the filtration, decor, how much maintenance you're willing to undertake and, most importantly the species mix, the individual fish and the gender mix.

30 is probably pushing a lot of parameters in a 55 pretty far. Around 12 - 15 is more realistic.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/quick_reference_list.php here's a link to some stuff including a cookie cutter type suggested stocking reference

edit : I was reading your q as asking how many fish as opposed to species...species wise you might mix 3 species in a 55 if you're doing a mix of species and not e.g. an all male tank in which case you don't mix species and try and avoid similar colourations

For Species 4 Red Empress, 4 Electric Blue and 4 OB Zebra

[daninarizona]

Do you know the gender mix of the ones you have?

They are only half an inch long presently unable to sex.

[SThort]

Eventually, you would need at least a 55g, but when they are younger, you can 'grow' them in a smaller tank if that's all you have, but if you have to buy a tank, go for at least a 55g, preferably a 75g!

This is just my opinion, but I would look at something other than the electric blue. There are so many cool malawi cichlids out there, and while this is a neat looking fish, I would opt for something a little more uncommon. I also see Blue, Orange and Blue/Redish... You're needing some yellow.

Otopharynx lithobates (Zimbawe) -cool blue with yellow 'top' instead of electric blue...

Placidochromis electra (Stunning) - just look them up..

Copadichromis azureus -Electric Blue II more peacful than what you're looking at...

Aulonocara stuartgranti (Rubescens) (Ruby Red) - Blue and Red/Orange... STRIKING!

Aulonocara stuartgranti (Usisya) (Fluvescent) - Blue and Yellow

Aulonocara sp. Lwanda - Purple and Yellow

Tramitichromis sp. "Intermedius" - Sort of an aqua/neon blue with red/blue fins
I also like the Taiwan reef, but they're in the same family as the Red Empress.

You could also keep say, a group of 5 red empress, and do all male with the rest.. or some sort of mix.... but it's your call! Just look at what's out there other than what's in your LFS!

[SThort]

OOPS! I see now that you're upgrading your 29g to a 55.
In THAT case, I would get a 75g... no reason to buy a 55 when you get a 75g.. trust me!

But I would save up now.. at their size, the 29g is fine, the OB Zebra will grow quick, but you've got a long while on the Empress and Blues... You'll know when it's time to make the jump.

[MbunaFishKeeper]

Hmmm... 12-15 sounds good in a 55 g but make sure you get lots of rock work and caves to keep the aggression down, it wont stop the aggression but it certainly will help.

[newsom00]

yeah 75 gal sounds right