N. brichardi question

[serissime]

I am in the process of figuring out what to stock for a 29 gallon tank, and have recently become very interested in tang cichlids, specifically the n brichardis. I've read that they should be kept in groups to disperse aggression, but I'm concerned that my 29 isn't going to be large enough to allow a pair to establish their own territory for spawning and not wreak havoc on the others. Could I safely keep these cichlids in a 29? And if so, how many? This would be a species tank.

[AfroCichlid]

I would start with a group of 4 and let them pair off. Normally the fish you buy at the LFS are siblings and the aggression is lessened between siblings in this species. Once a pair forms however I would remove the other two and allow the pair to spawn and raise a few young. You could raise a good group to 1" in a 29, but at 1" I would trade them in and start fresh. This would allow you to enjoy the parental behavior and make a buck or gain free food and supplies. If you want a colony I'd suggest a 55. Then you could allow a handful to grow to adulthood with the parents. You may see aggression if the tank becomes overstocked, but culling will help take care of that problem. The Daffodil variety are very beautiful.

[serissime]

I see. Thank you for the information! I think our 29 is more suited to something else then. Hopefully we can get a bigger tank in the near future to get some brichardi

[Pittbull]

Great point Afro..

[GusBus27]

You could try a smaller shell dweller species... Multies for example...