Stocking a 29

aj2494

R.I.P. Guys
Jul 31, 2008
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Buffalo, New York
After seeing what my julies are doing to each other, I cannot provide the proper size tank for these fish to be healthy. I really want something that is very active and with lots of bright colors. The more that can fit, the merrier. Tank mates are not an issue. I know someone out there will suggest shellies, but my other two tanks have them already. Thanks.
 
I have a planted 29 gallon tank with 12 serpae tetras and 6 otos. The otos keep the plants neat. The serpaes are the stars. Hot pink and lots of action.
 
Thanks for the idea, but I was thinking more along the lines of african cichlids though...
 
An established pair of Julies (though NOT the Gombe variant) is fine in a 29. However, aside from J. transcriptus, the smallest and least aggressive species, you will most likely have dead fish as they sort themselves out. I tried pairing off the Gombe strain in a 29, and ended up with a single survivor that had killed off the rest. Actually had the same thing happen in a 55, but by chance the 2 surviving fish were opposite sexes and did get along when I put them together in the 55. I eventually found a single fry that had survived on its own in the 55, then finally sold off the breeding pair. More trouble than they were worth IMO.
Otherwise, a breeding group (1m/3-4f) of ruby green Hap's from Lake Victoria are the only other African cichlids other than shellies that I would try to keep in a 29 unless you are moving in an established breeding pair from a larger tank. Most species of African cichlids need at least a 75, and bigger is always better.
 
Not the best tank for other Africans, aj! What about a kribensis setup? Or you may go with SA small cichlids such as rams or apistos. All these are colorful.
 
How about West African species.. Pelvicachromis Pulcher AKA Kribensis or its cousin the Taeniatus.. Another cool specimen would be a small group of Buffalo heads Steatocranus casuarius.. Just a thought..
 
An established pair of Julies (though NOT the Gombe variant) is fine in a 29. However, aside from J. transcriptus, the smallest and least aggressive species, you will most likely have dead fish as they sort themselves out. I tried pairing off the Gombe strain in a 29, and ended up with a single survivor that had killed off the rest. Actually had the same thing happen in a 55, but by chance the 2 surviving fish were opposite sexes and did get along when I put them together in the 55. I eventually found a single fry that had survived on its own in the 55, then finally sold off the breeding pair. More trouble than they were worth IMO.
Otherwise, a breeding group (1m/3-4f) of ruby green Hap's from Lake Victoria are the only other African cichlids other than shellies that I would try to keep in a 29 unless you are moving in an established breeding pair from a larger tank. Most species of African cichlids need at least a 75, and bigger is always better.

J. ornatus are probably more peaceful than transcriptus, or so I've heard.
 
I suppose thats true...I dont know how accurate it is but I've always been told that the larger species are much more aggressive than the smaller ones.

I've only tried transcriptus myself...and that didnt work out so well.
 
I have kept kribs before and lost one pair to a heater malfunction, and the next pair just died right after I got them. I want to stay away from them, mostly because of teh bad memories.

I have thought about apsitos, but they are kind of expensive.

Yeah, I definitely need to get rid of the transcriptus ASAP. I would really like to stay with the great lakes if possible.
 
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