Tropheus Question

[skeletalmachine]

Hi. This is my first post but I've read a lot here and it seems like a great place to get a question answered.
I recently bought 3 juvenile tropheus duboisi from the lfs. After doing a lot of reading (yeah I know, afterwords), I found out that they are best kept in larger groups and that sounds like a great idea to me. The only problem is that I have heard it can be disasterous to add more tropheus, or any fish, to the tank. I have only had these fish for 4 days and I would like to get more on the weekend. My question is, would adding more tropheus (perhaps 5 - 7 more) be a problem at such an early age and so quickly after the first fish had been added?

[Reiner]

I think you should be quiet safe to do so. It's only dangerous to add 1 or 2 at a time but since you are planning to add 6 or more it should be fine. Also what are you feeding them?

[skeletalmachine]

Thank you for your reply Reiner.
I am feeding them spirulina flake as I was told they are vegetarians. Also, there are some thick patches of algae in the tank and they seem to be picking at it occasionally. I have read that they are only to be fed in quite small amouts once a day but does this aply to the juvenile fish as well? Currently I feed them twice daily with my other fish but I only give them small amounts of food.

[Reiner]

Twice daily is certainly fine but like you said "small amounts"

[Sumpin'fishy]

If you haven't established the aquascaping too solidly, yet, I'd suggest re-arranging the decor and add the new duboises with the lights off, and leave the lights off all night. Give them chances to get used to new surroundings before having to deal with any territorial disputes. You might also want to add some spinach, lettuce, cucumber, peas, and other veggies into their diet. The spiralina should work great as a staple, though. Enjoy them and make sure you have several hiding spots for each of them. They will establish a heirarchy soon and then it will be difficult to add "a few more". I would pick how many you want total and get them in there at the same time. How do you think your biological filtration will cope with all these new fish being added? Make sure you check for good water quality and be careful of ammo/nitrite spikes.

[vilhelm]

It is easyer to put in new if they are juv. can be harder when adult, you can move aruond rocks and decorating so you destroy old territories when put in new fish,duboisi are not that aggresive as for ex.tropheus sp black. , a gruop of tropheus duboisi shall have atleast 8 and up,it depends of size of the tank,the proffs,in my country says its importent to have a long tank 150cm and longer,they say when they attac each other they go up to 150cm and then stop;) , ihad once 27 t.duboisi and only 5 t.sp black"ikola" in a 3meter long tank,i whish afterwords 27 "ikola" and 5 duboisi.the black species are so,so agressive. how big tank have you?

[skeletalmachine]

Currently I have the fish in a 33 gallon tank but I plan on putting them in a 60+ gallon tank in the near future as the 33 seems like it would be way too small for these fish when they are full grown. In the mean time the tank should be able to take the bio load since it has an aquaclear 500 and an aquaclear 200.

[vilhelm]

here is a great side about tropheus. (www.alfredsson.nu)

[Verse914]

your 33 gallon will be too small for them at full grown size. Try and get as many duboisis as possible and let them grow together, and then weed out some of the males.
This is a GREAT site for Tropheus...
http://www.duboisi.com tell them Verse914 sent you:D