Calvus Questions

rich_one

rich_one

AC Members
Nov 7, 2008
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Maryland
Making some major changes with my tanks at home. I have been doing the invert thing for several months now. However, I have decided it is time to move on. I once had a couple of black calvus, and think they are among the neatest cichlids there are. I am really considering getting a couple of these again, and I was wondering a couple of things:

1. The tank I am thinking of putting them in is currently HEAVILY planted. Will they eat the plants? The plants are in there pretty good, so I don't know how much uprooting they could actually successfully do, even if they do dig.

2. I used to have shellies in with them before, but I am not sure if that is the direction I want to go in just yet... any other suggestions while I am thinking this over as tankmates for them?

Thanks for any input!
 
Julidochromis Transcriptus would look sweet with Black Calvus.. i would leave the plants alone i love me some greenery in my tanks no matter if there african cichlid tanks..
 
Calvus are specialized fry predators, they definitely won't eat your plants. As for tankmates, what size tank are you talking about?
 
I had leleupi in with mine and they worked fine together. I currently have kilesa in with them and they work well together, but you'd have to lose the plants. I liked the leleupi, they're a nice contrast. I had juli as well, they're nice, just not enough of a difference in colors to really stand out.
 
If you plan on any of them spawning successfully I'd go with Julies, multi's, or buescheri and provide plenty of cover the calvus can't get into. If you want single fish for color/contrast you have more options since territory space wouldn't be critical. Calvus and comp's are generally shy fish, and would be more comfortable/visible with relatively mellow tankmates.
 
I had mine in with multies before, actually. I'm not pressed one way or the other about spawning... if it happens, cool, if it doesn't, I'm not losing any sleep over it. I am more interested in color. that said, I'm not looking for anyone to be doing any fighting either, so mellow tankmates are the way I am thinking, but with nice color to them... I'm still deciding on how I plan to handle any plants, if I do...
 
There are quite a few stocking options for a 55. Are the Calvus you want available to you locally? If so, what other Tangs do they carry?

There are a number of them that would make suitable tankmates. I keep mine with Neoloamprologus Tretocephalus, N. Sexfasciatus ( would get a bit large for a 55 at 8" max ), Julidichromis Transcriptus ( other julies would be fine as well ), and Brichardi. I have witnessed no aggression between species. If you decide on a Tret, I'd stick to one in the 55. I would not recommend Brichardi as they will take over your tank eventually. Lelupi would be a fine addition. As would Cylindricus. Too many to toss names around, lol.
 
AfroCichlid said:
There are quite a few stocking options for a 55. Are the Calvus you want available to you locally? If so, what other Tangs do they carry?

There are a number of them that would make suitable tankmates. I keep mine with Neoloamprologus Tretocephalus, N. Sexfasciatus ( would get a bit large for a 55 at 8" max ), Julidichromis Transcriptus ( other julies would be fine as well ), and Brichardi. I have witnessed no aggression between species. If you decide on a Tret, I'd stick to one in the 55. I would not recommend Brichardi as they will take over your tank eventually. Lelupi would be a fine addition. As would Cylindricus. Too many to toss names around, lol.
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I appreciate the names everyone has tossed around so far... there are some fine specimens among them. I have not located my Calvus source yet (though, there is a guy I know that at least used to have them about an hour away from me). I'll get that figured, once I have the tank looking the way I want it.

I'll check out the extra names you mentioned, and get to my decision making... thanks!

-Rich
 
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