Stocking recomendations for a 120g & 250g

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ganjero

Crazy about Snails
Jul 9, 2005
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Hi,
Long time aquarist, I kept cichlids before but for the last two decades I have been keeping planted and reef tanks. Now, I am converting my two reef tanks to Cichlid tanks, and am looking for stocking recommendations for a 250g (72Lx30wx27h) and a standard 120g (48x24x24). I was thinking in doing haps and peacocks in the 250 and mbunas in the 120 or a tanganyika species only in the 120.
I would appreciate any input and suggestions.
Thank you,
 

myswtsins

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Jun 15, 2008
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That's a lot of reef tankage to be giving up! Sounds like they are/were you last reefs, so no more reefs? *clears throat* Sorry my dark side was showing there lol.

Hm, if I kept Mbunas again I would really want a 5'+ tank for them (even though I can't have one) but I see why you want the haps in the bigger tank of course. So I'd vote for a tang tank in the 120, you'll have plenty of color in the 250 anyway. You can get a great "community" tang setup in there with rockwork on both ends and shells in the middle. My top choices would be some of the bigger shellies like brevis or ocellatus (gold is my fav) , some calvus or comps (I'm partial to the blacks or the whites) and a nice big group of cyprichromis for the open water. And there's still room for whatever else you like too. If you're not trying to breed anything then a group of syno cats would be on my list too.

For the 250...one of everything! lol Joking but it's not far off really. I'd go all male and get a huge variety.
 

ganjero

Crazy about Snails
Jul 9, 2005
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That's a lot of reef tankage to be giving up! Sounds like they are/were you last reefs, so no more reefs? *clears throat* Sorry my dark side was showing there lol.

Hm, if I kept Mbunas again I would really want a 5'+ tank for them (even though I can't have one) but I see why you want the haps in the bigger tank of course. So I'd vote for a tang tank in the 120, you'll have plenty of color in the 250 anyway. You can get a great "community" tang setup in there with rockwork on both ends and shells in the middle. My top choices would be some of the bigger shellies like brevis or ocellatus (gold is my fav) , some calvus or comps (I'm partial to the blacks or the whites) and a nice big group of cyprichromis for the open water. And there's still room for whatever else you like too. If you're not trying to breed anything then a group of syno cats would be on my list too.

For the 250...one of everything! lol Joking but it's not far off really. I'd go all male and get a huge variety.
Yes , no more reefs. The hurricane crashed my tank and my big coral colonies and anemones died, it was overwhelming and I don't feel like starting that again. and Thanks for the recommendations.
So you would go on a community tang tank over mbunas for the 120? I will look in to you recommendations.
Thanks for the input
 

myswtsins

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Jun 15, 2008
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Sorry to hear that. That's rough.

I hope you share the journey for the new tanks.
 

ganjero

Crazy about Snails
Jul 9, 2005
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OK the 120g is cycled and ready for fish. I have decided to make this tank an Mbuna tank. These is what I am thinking to add so far:
- 6 synodontis multipunctatus
The following mbunas in a ratio of 1M/4F
- Msobo Deep Magunga (thought of Saaulosi but decided to go with Msobos)
- Pseudo Williamsi "Blue Lips"
- Cynotilapia Afra "Jala Reef"
- Cynotilapia Afra "Mbewca"
and maybe 1 o 2 of the following species
- Pseudothropheus Acei
- Pseudothropheus Chewere
- Pseudothropheus Polit
- Pseudothropheus Red Zebra - cherry Red/Metriaclima estherae red zebra (this I am not sure if is the same fish misidentified in different source, but if they are different it would be one of them to add reds)

Now the usual questions
1. How is the compatibility of this mix?
2. Any chaces of cross breeding between this selection
3. How many of the optional species can I add? and which ones would you recommend taking into account the first two questions?

Thanks
 

Rbishop

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Dec 30, 2005
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Have you thought about going all male?
 

tanker

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Sep 1, 2003
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I am no expert on African Cichlids, but I would not have so many different species of Mbunas together. I would go for about 4-5 species and have a ratio of 1 male to 4-5 females.
Having just 1-2 of any of the species will cause those single males to be overly aggressive.
The Pseudothropheus Red Zebra - cherry Red/Metriaclima estherae red zebra is a Metriaclima and not a Pseudothropheus. And the males are very aggressive. You will need 5-7 females for any male Metriaclima.
Any Mbuna can and will cross breed (hybrid) another Mbuna, that is why you will need 4-5 females for any male. With enough of their own females to choose from the chances of them cross breeding is lowered.
 

ganjero

Crazy about Snails
Jul 9, 2005
92
0
6
I am no expert on African Cichlids, but I would not have so many different species of Mbunas together. I would go for about 4-5 species and have a ratio of 1 male to 4-5 females.
Having just 1-2 of any of the species will cause those single males to be overly aggressive.
The Pseudothropheus Red Zebra - cherry Red/Metriaclima estherae red zebra is a Metriaclima and not a Pseudothropheus. And the males are very aggressive. You will need 5-7 females for any male Metriaclima.
Any Mbuna can and will cross breed (hybrid) another Mbuna, that is why you will need 4-5 females for any male. With enough of their own females to choose from the chances of them cross breeding is lowered.
It seems my post was not redacted well. I am planning on the first 4 species listed, and add 1 or 2 of the additional species listed in the same ratio (1m/4f)...Thanks for the info, I think I will stay away from Metriaclima.
 
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