Need help stocking a 29

jpappy789

jpappy789

Plants need meat too
Feb 18, 2007
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Gainesville, FL
Real Name
Josh
I am new to african cichlids (I have GBR's in a 30) and I have an epty 29 gal. I have naturally hard water with a high pH (8.0+) so taht led me to cichlids. I was thinking some lake tanganyikan species would be nice. Maybe some julies and shelldwellers...any ideas?

BTW, this is what I'm thinking

• Julidochromis regani - 1 pair
• Neolamprologus leleupi - 1 pair
• 'Lamprologus' occelatus - 1 trio
 
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I'd keep a group of julies with lots of holey rock OR a group of shell dwellers with lots of shells. Not both. A pair or trio of calvus or compressiceps would be cool. I have plans for comps soon.
 
I think two species is fine in a 29, but no more than that. J. transcriptus (kesse bemba not Gombe which is more aggressive, dickfeldi or ornatus with a pair of N. brevis or a trio of occelatus would work fine. I'd avoide similis or multifasciatus as they'll form a colony and take over the tank. Also, caudopunctatus would work, too, but sometimes they prefer rocks over shells.

Just have 2 territories - rocks up high in the water (julies will swim to the top if there is a rock to cling to - it's like their bellies suction onto rocks or the substrate) and put the shells on the far side. I've done it several times with great success.

Eric
 
That was my exact train of thought jayhawk:)

I think a pair of J. dickfeldi or ornatus, depending on what my lfs have, plus probably a trio N. Occelatus. Also, I was wondering if there was anything that I could add to help "clean up" the tank? Can shrimp survive the wrath of cichlids???

Thanks for all the help!
 
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Well I just realized that any invertabrate is going to get demolished by a cichlid. So getting just a little off topic...what type of filter do you guys recommend. A few websites strongly advise using 2 filters. Is that necessary?
 
You could try Daffodil pulchers. They usually get no larger than 4 inches and can handle a 29G. I have a few in my 29G less than a month ago. Guess What? Fry. 20 to 25 to my guestamation. They are beautiful and great parents. But they are Very and I mean VERY protective when breeding and raising they young. But the young and parents become one "big happy family" and will protect each other and their fry.

I recommend a species only tank with brichardis or pulchers. In case you wonder a brichardi has a T and a pulcher has a ((. Some lfs get them confused.
 
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