Tanganyika Tank - Ideas

[TropicalNorth]

Well I'm getting a bit bored with my 55g (currently planted with australian natives) so I'm toying with the idea of converting it into a tanganyika tank based around Neolamprologus (Altolamprologus) calvus, I just love the look of those guys. The tank is 4ft long by 15" wide by 18" high.

My Ideas
My water is soft so I'm thinking crushed coral in the filter, dead coral / base rock for the aquascaping (I can get this cheap plus it will buffer the water), and just plain white sand for the substrate. I would go for a nice white clean look with the fish as the focus.

As far as the fish Calvus are a must, but the others I haven't really decided. I've done a bit of research and come up with a rough list of the ones I like. I don't really want dithers and I don't intend on breeding them.
Neolamprologus (Altolamprologus) calvus (I'm thinking 3)
Neolamprologus leleupi
Cyprichromis leptosoma (bulu point)
Julidochromis ornatus
Neolamprologus Brichardi
My LFS breeds calvus, the owner is a real expert, and has a wide range of africans so I should be able to get the less common ones. I've always got good advice there but I wanted to run my ideas past you guys first.

Is there anything special with heating or filtering? or is it just the usual tropical set-up sort of thing. My water quality is currently excellent in a slightly overstocked tank. If I do the conversion it will be a christmas project so money shouldn't be a big issue but I'd like to spend the money on the fish more than anything. I've got an AquaClear 110, heater and a 315gph powerhead for extra water movement if needed.

All input, links etc welcome and photos of similar set-ups would be great. Thanks.

[Lupin]

Here are threads from a local Philippine forum.:) Please be warned that the language there is local so you may not be able to understand them.;)
http://palhs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69230

http://palhs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70326

http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=51

I used to keep them but later resigned from the hobby.:22_yikes:

[jpappy789]

Well I'm getting a bit bored with my 55g (currently planted with australian natives) so I'm toying with the idea of converting it into a tanganyika tank based around Neolamprologus (Altolamprologus) calvus, I just love the look of those guys. The tank is 4ft long by 15" wide by 18" high.

My Ideas
My water is soft so I'm thinking crushed coral in the filter, dead coral / base rock for the aquascaping (I can get this cheap plus it will buffer the water), and just plain white sand for the substrate. I would go for a nice white clean look with the fish as the focus.

As far as the fish Calvus are a must, but the others I haven't really decided. I've done a bit of research and come up with a rough list of the ones I like. I don't really want dithers and I don't intend on breeding them.
Neolamprologus (Altolamprologus) calvus (I'm thinking 3)
Neolamprologus leleupi
Cyprichromis leptosoma (bulu point)
Julidochromis ornatus
Neolamprologus Brichardi
My LFS breeds calvus, the owner is a real expert, and has a wide range of africans so I should be able to get the less common ones. I've always got good advice there but I wanted to run my ideas past you guys first.

Is there anything special with heating or filtering? or is it just the usual tropical set-up sort of thing. My water quality is currently excellent in a slightly overstocked tank. If I do the conversion it will be a christmas project so money shouldn't be a big issue but I'd like to spend the money on the fish more than anything. I've got an AquaClear 110, heater and a 315gph powerhead for extra water movement if needed.

All input, links etc welcome and photos of similar set-ups would be great. Thanks.

If the Calvus are a must, I would suggest those with the cyps and a shellie species of your choice (neolamp. multi, occelatus, brevis, etc...). That would cover the different niches: rock, open water, and sand (shell) areas.

I would personally only recommend brichardis in a species tank as they are VERY aggressive when breeding and tank over half the tank. Julidochromis and calvuses would not be the best combo unless there is a lot of rockwork in the tank. The same goes with the leleupi. All three will seek out certain caves as their territories.

Normal filtering should be used so an AC 110 should be fine but possibly get another smaller HOB for backup. Just some optional advise.

So I am thinking:

2-3 calvus
8-10 cyps
3-5 shellies (depends on species)

[tarheels910]

If the Calvus are a must, I would suggest those with the cyps and a shellie species of your choice (neolamp. multi, occelatus, brevis, etc...). That would cover the different niches: rock, open water, and sand (shell) areas.

I would personally only recommend brichardis in a species tank as they are VERY aggressive when breeding and tank over half the tank. Julidochromis and calvuses would not be the best combo unless there is a lot of rockwork in the tank. The same goes with the leleupi. All three will seek out certain caves as their territories.

Normal filtering should be used so an AC 110 should be fine but possibly get another smaller HOB for backup. Just some optional advise.

So I am thinking:

2-3 calvus
8-10 cyps
3-5 shellies (depends on species)
No shellies and calvus together. In the lake Calvus adapt to eating shellies. That is why they have the protruding snout. They will do the same in your aquarium.

[jpappy789]

No shellies and calvus together. In the lake Calvus adapt to eating shellies. That is why they have the protruding snout. They will do the same in your aquarium.

Directly from cichlidforum.com

"A. calvus dines on insect larvae, small crustaceans and small fry that they suck out of the crevices in the rocks. They are laterally compressed, the specialization that allows them access to these foods where other cichlids cannot. They thrive on mysis shrimp, krill, salad shrimp, flakes, pellet and brine shrimp in the aquarium. Despite their large mouth size, they should not be a threat to other adult fish in the aquarium, including adult shelldwellers."

Possibley a threat to any fry but other than that no worries...

[tarheels910]

Hmm. Knew it happened in the wild, but I have heard of some instances in the aquarium. Maybe its not much of a problem.

The same thing happens with Livingstoni and small mbuna. In the wild they act dead and wait for a small mbuna to swim by. Snack. But not many people have had problems with them in the aquarium.

[jpappy789]

Hmm. Knew it happened in the wild, but I have heard of some instances in the aquarium. Maybe its not much of a problem.

The same thing happens with Livingstoni and small mbuna. In the wild they act dead and wait for a small mbuna to swim by. Snack. But not many people have had problems with them in the aquarium.

Could be a possibility but many when many people over there were advising me on stocking plans some suggestions had calvuses and shellies together. I am pretty sure a lot of other people have had the combo work fine. But that may be something to keep on eye on...:thumbsup:

[tarheels910]

Cant wait to see the pics. Good luck.

[jpappy789]

Yes! I love seeing pics of tang cichlid setups! You will have a lot of fun with them!!!

[GirlieGirl8521]

Directly from cichlidforum.com

"A. calvus dines on insect larvae, small crustaceans and small fry that they suck out of the crevices in the rocks. They are laterally compressed, the specialization that allows them access to these foods where other cichlids cannot. They thrive on mysis shrimp, krill, salad shrimp, flakes, pellet and brine shrimp in the aquarium. Despite their large mouth size, they should not be a threat to other adult fish in the aquarium, including adult shelldwellers."

Possibley a threat to any fry but other than that no worries...


Maybe if they are well fed they won't eat the Shellies.....I'm not sure I'd want to test that though. ;) I've seen warnings before from hobbyist about them picking off shellies and IMO I'd believe those with experience before I believe CF.com....I don't agree with alot of things they have on their site.....but, if people who are keeping them together successfully are recommending them...i guess its worth a try......You have to think about how small an aquarium is compared to the wild.....if they do it in the wild, why wouldn't they in a tiny aquarium?

[TropicalNorth]

Thanks for the info everyone.
I don't want to risk any aggression, I want to play it safe basically because I've had to deal with aggressive fish before and its too much stress :). So the calvus and Cyprichromis would most likely get along because they would occupy different areas of the tank, one in caves and one an open swimmer / schooler.

3 - Neolamprologus calvus
5 - Cyprichromis leptosoma (bulu point)

Any more ideas on other tang cichlids that would work?
Also would the leleupi and brichardi act differently if there was only one of each?
The tank would have a decent amount of rock work.
All input welcome.

[jpappy789]

way more cyps...like double that number. Otherwise they will be very skitty and overall very uncomfortable. Most people recommend 8 MINIMUM.

also leleupi and brichardis will not be very comfortable alone either

[TropicalNorth]

Okay thanks.
I went to the LFS the other day and decided I probably won't be able to get the cyps, $50 a pop :jaw-dropping:. I'm now certain I'll turn the tank into a tanganyika tank though, the calvus are just too cute. Just have to do more research on suitable tankmates.