Hi, this is actually my first ever post. I recently bought a new tank, and purchased an M. auratus. My question is when does the male show its colors? Currently the fish is aprox. 1.5" long. Also I have what was told to me to be an Eletric blue hap, it is aproximately 1.5-2" long, the colors have yet to change. One more thing.... I have 2 electric yellows, 2 electric blues, and and 1 M. auratus, is this two much for a 29 gal. tank?
question about the coloring of M.auratus and others.
- Thread starter fishyfriend
- Start date
Yes! The only fish that will be able to stay in that tank is the electric yellow- aka Labidochromis caeraleus http://www.malawimayhem.com/profile_show.php?id=247. One or two electric yellows in that tank, and thats it, but really a larger tank 33 gallon and up is reccommended.
Melanochromis Auratushttp://www.malawimayhem.com/profile_show.php?id=284 are EXTREMELY aggressive and will most likely kill the other fish if kept in a 29 gallon tank. They need at least a 75 gallon. The males will turn blue at about 2 inches i believe, and the females stay the same color.
The electric blues are most likely Sciaenochromis fryeri, http://www.malawimayhem.com/profile_show.php?id=80 are haps and get quite large, they need a lot of swimming space and should be in over a 55 gallon. The will being to change color probebly around 3" or so, if they are males that is. Females will stay the same.
Sounds like you need to upgrade your tank size!
Melanochromis Auratushttp://www.malawimayhem.com/profile_show.php?id=284 are EXTREMELY aggressive and will most likely kill the other fish if kept in a 29 gallon tank. They need at least a 75 gallon. The males will turn blue at about 2 inches i believe, and the females stay the same color.
The electric blues are most likely Sciaenochromis fryeri, http://www.malawimayhem.com/profile_show.php?id=80 are haps and get quite large, they need a lot of swimming space and should be in over a 55 gallon. The will being to change color probebly around 3" or so, if they are males that is. Females will stay the same.
Sounds like you need to upgrade your tank size!
thanks for the response. luv my kribs, i think that maybe i will have to upgrade my tank, in the future, but i dont have the $$$ right now. Do you think that they will be ok in there for a while? My LFS told me that i could keep all of those( well except M. auratus) in my 29 gal. he said that it would reduce the aggression between the fish. I have read that alot of people do this, but is it just too much for the tank? thanks.
Overstocking really only works with large tanks with heavy filtration. The idea is that an aggressor with get distracted by other fish when its so crowded. However in a small tank there isnt enough room for the 'victim' to run away, so overstocking rarely works.
I reccommend getting rid of the auratus. If you plan to upgrade in the near future then you could keep the rest for the time being, say a few months, but the haps really need more room or else they might be stunted.
I reccommend getting rid of the auratus. If you plan to upgrade in the near future then you could keep the rest for the time being, say a few months, but the haps really need more room or else they might be stunted.
Once again, thank you, luvmykribs, for the response. I do believe that i will be taking the M.auratus back. you advice much apreciated. any more advice?