I am doing a mixed african tank. PH is 8 KH is 6. Filtration is two AC 500's and a Fluval 404 run as a bio filter. I am just looking for cool fish that will get along, I am not worried about a biotope specific habitat. Right now I have a Frontosa, a Tropheus, a Ovatus, a Venustus, a Compressiceps, a Red and a Purple Peacock and a Borleyi. There are two clown loaches and a red lipped loach on clean up detail. I am looking for recommendations on how many more fish I can put in this tank and what types. They have been living together for about three months happily. They have all grown together and are now between three and five inches or so (don't have a ruler). Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
150 gal african
- Thread starter scott2
- Start date
I've found it's better to have a lot of cover if you want a lot of fish. Some species will form packs (schools just sounds too *u$$y) if you get a few of them. I'm not sure about the frontoza, but it would be a cool clan if you had 5 or 6 of 'em. My 3 jewels help eachother in the hunt and its real fun to watch.
I think you're rushing that aquarium.
The number of species will mean removals or killings.
Each cichlid species has certian "non-negotiable" keeping requirements. Your mix of fish is eclectic, but certainly doable. I expect the tropheus, alone, an as difficult as they are, may not survive at all...
Your pH of ~8 is nice. The dKH or alkalinity hardness, could use some buffer with baking soda (15-20dkh is a good minimum) but as I'mpartial to Rift Lake spieces, you may have some hardness decisions to make. Since you have hard water, a recipe of Baking Soda to raise pH and 20-30 dKH, Epsom to dGH 15, would be easy during WC.
In the meantime, be careful how the fish you have generate their social conditions. I think you have a mix of fish you should live with awhile. Adding more factors, may make invisibile the cichlid behavior you really want to enjoy.
IMO, Don't add more fish. Let them grow up and enjoy them! It takes years to get the tank you envision. And each fish you have can live for 15 years or more! Be patient! Take it slow.
The number of species will mean removals or killings.
Each cichlid species has certian "non-negotiable" keeping requirements. Your mix of fish is eclectic, but certainly doable. I expect the tropheus, alone, an as difficult as they are, may not survive at all...
Your pH of ~8 is nice. The dKH or alkalinity hardness, could use some buffer with baking soda (15-20dkh is a good minimum) but as I'mpartial to Rift Lake spieces, you may have some hardness decisions to make. Since you have hard water, a recipe of Baking Soda to raise pH and 20-30 dKH, Epsom to dGH 15, would be easy during WC.
In the meantime, be careful how the fish you have generate their social conditions. I think you have a mix of fish you should live with awhile. Adding more factors, may make invisibile the cichlid behavior you really want to enjoy.
IMO, Don't add more fish. Let them grow up and enjoy them! It takes years to get the tank you envision. And each fish you have can live for 15 years or more! Be patient! Take it slow.
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Tropheus are strictly vegetarians and a VERY social fish and likes to be in large 'colonys'. The frontosa like colonies as well...
And you have mixed lake tangynika and malawi... which can be done but can be hard because of the different diets. Also tang ph is high up around 9 and malawi is around 8.
I agree with what bumblefish said... but i will also add it would be nice to the fish for you to choose a species that you like and stick with that... and make a colony for these very social fish. Compressiceps will be fine with the frontosa i think... but venustus can be very nasty fish.
you are all over the map in terms of compatible species... and you might be in for some killings. Just because the tank is big doesn't mean they can be kept together... i would not add any more fish or if you want to then i would remove some species and add some more of the same as what you are keeping.
-Diana
And you have mixed lake tangynika and malawi... which can be done but can be hard because of the different diets. Also tang ph is high up around 9 and malawi is around 8.
I agree with what bumblefish said... but i will also add it would be nice to the fish for you to choose a species that you like and stick with that... and make a colony for these very social fish. Compressiceps will be fine with the frontosa i think... but venustus can be very nasty fish.
you are all over the map in terms of compatible species... and you might be in for some killings. Just because the tank is big doesn't mean they can be kept together... i would not add any more fish or if you want to then i would remove some species and add some more of the same as what you are keeping.
-Diana
Thanks for your replies. I realize the vast difference of the species and that is the reason I have chosen them. I want them to be all over the map. I will take your advice and not add anymore fish right now but honestly the tank is relatively calm, as far as cichlids go. There is lots of structure, caves and fake plants and such but I guess at about three to five inches they are still juveniles. I just wanted to add fish while they were all still juveniles if I was going to add more, you know get the tank set and let them all grow out. I think their diet is fine as I recognize their vegetarianism. I feed the New Life Spectrum pellets in the morning and Spirulina flake and frozen at night. I give them vegetables and such in the evening as well. As far as the buffering I have a layer of crushed coral underneath the gravel. Thanks for your replies.
just remember that they will get along when juvies but probebly not as adults... and some of those fish like a lot of protien as opposed to a lot of veggies.