Safe to stock labs, and then add the others?

echoofformless

echoofformless

Peat Advocate & Defender Of Snails
Oct 1, 2005
2,142
0
36
51
Phil Uh Del Feeya
www.myspace.com
This potential mbuna tank of mine has been sitting, fishless, with ammonia being constantly added for almost eight months now!

All because I have lacked the funds to stock it, and the intended stock is 3 labs and 3 of someone else...likely p. demasoni or p. acei.

I know it's supposed to be best to stock all at once...but I was wondering since the labs are supposed to be relatively mellow - if maybe it's safe (since I have some loot) to start with the labs and add the second species when I get a little more money?

Or is it dangerous? Therefore should I wait until I have enough money to put everyone in at once?
 
Tank size? Have you tested the water? (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) If so, please post results.

To answer your question (assuming tank is adequate size and cycled), add either the acei or the labs first. I don't think it would matter much. I think the labs are a little more aggressive than the acei, but nothing to concern yourself over. Definitely add the demasoni last, since they are the most aggressive of the three.

Since you mentioned lack of funds, I would advise you not to put 3 demasoni in there. They are extremely aggressive towards each other and you would end up with 1 in the end. You'd be wasting your money on the 2 that would be killed. Demasoni are best kept in large groups (10+) or only 1.
 
Of course the tank is cycled! haha I did mention it's been on an ammonia diet for over half a year now. :read: It's been fully cycled for quite a long time. :)

And I am only adding acei or demasoni, not both. But now that I have been getting some more info, I think I'm either staying with the labs/acei or maybe even just labs. It's only a 40g breeder so I'm pretty much limited to just about three of each and already pushing it.
 
I know you mentioned you've been adding ammonia for 8 months. However, I've seen many people add ammonia to a tank and think it's cycled without testing it. End results were alot of dead fish. Just wanted to be sure it was ready so ya didn't waste your money.

If it was my 40g breeder tank, I'd do a lab demasoni combination. Lots of action and color.

If ya wanted to go a cheap route, keep checking your LFS for a lab or demasoni that's holding. Purchase that one, raise the fry. Now you've stocked your tank. Plus it's fun raising the fry.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom