Altolamprologus Calvus questions

noodles62

noodles62

Just Noods......
Apr 17, 2008
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Are Calvus difficult to keep for someone who has never kept Africans before? I just love the look of them. (I prefer the Tangs over the Malawis and others.....)
I will soon be getting a 55 and I would like to do something a bit different with it, if it is not too much to handle.
How many could I keep in a 55 and what else could I keep with them?

Thanks in advance! :thumbsup:
 
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noodles62 said:
Are Calvus difficult to keep for someone who has never kept Africans before? I just love the look of them. (I prefer the Tangs over the Malawis and others.....)
I will soon be getting a 55 and I would like to do something a bit different with it, if it is not too much to handle.
How many could I keep in a 55 and what else could I keep with them?

Thanks in advance! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Hey Noodles. As Tangs go, I actually think Calvus (and Alto Comps) are a good choice for a "beginner". You'll have to think about stocking quantities for a 55 and include plenty of rockwork but I think they're a great choice. A few additional considerations:

1) Realize that most Altos are very slow growing. Even on quality diet it will be a while until they really color up and get large.

2) Altos are generally less agressive than some other Tangs; that said, my Zebra Calvus rule my 90 gallon tall (even bossing around the Brichardi). Nothing too extreme; mostly a bit of chasing. Careful thought to rockwork (high and enough of it) will go a long way to help you for your setup.
 
Hi Noodles,

Altolamps are one my favorites: their finnnage is soooo cool and they way the moving around the tank is equally as cool. They are pretty easy to care for with one exception: they need really good water. You can't neglect your water changes for too long. If you did your water changes every seven days you should have no problems.

On rare occassions, some altolamps will tear a tendon in their mouth which causes the mouth to stay open. Sometimes you can pop it back in but it eventually will get stuck open and stay that way. It's kinda rare but it does happen (I've had it happen to a Inkfin and an Orange fin). I wouldn't let that stop you. They are an awesome cichlid :)

Russ
 
I agree they are truly magnificent i have 3 tanks of Calvus and Comps and i am stocked i didnt lose any.. i almost lost my Dwarf Comps but really a 55gal will be a good focal point for them to start they are extremely slow growing and reach about 6" so i would say about 6 to 7 to start out with will be ok and more than likely you will acquire juvies around 1" to 1 1/2" to start out with expect to pay around 15 to 19 bucks a piece as long as you stay up with water changes like Razz stated you will be fine lots of rock work is in order as well..

As for tank mates i would say Julido Transcriptus, Cuadopunctatus and Mustax will work.. Have fun and enjoy them i know i do..
 
noodles62 said:
Are Calvus difficult to keep for someone who has never kept Africans before? I just love the look of them. (I prefer the Tangs over the Malawis and others.....)
I will soon be getting a 55 and I would like to do something a bit different with it, if it is not too much to handle.
How many could I keep in a 55 and what else could I keep with them?

Thanks in advance! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
I woman after my own heart!:hearts:

You could keep a group of 3-4 in a 55 gallon for quite some time.

As for tankmates, I would choose shellies. Some caution that calvus will eat small shellies and fry but Ive read a lot of opposing views too. But if you want to play it safe, pitts suggestions work!

(btw, I totally understand if you are ditching mafia to setup a tang tank :clap:)
 
Thanks for all the tips guys, but I am afraid that the 55 is as big as I can go (with my present husband, anyway! LOL) Will this be too small as a forever tank for the Calvus? I find the Calvus absolutely gorgeous, so is there anything comparable, if a 55 is not big enough? I really would like to try African Cichlids however the yellow labs and such really do not interest me.

*side note* I religiously do weekly water changes, so that is not a problem...I also would be looking into getting Texas Holey Rock for them......
 
A 55 will be fine for a pair. I would start with 4 juvies and let them pair off or an adult established pair. I think it will depend on the fish you have. 2 females and 1 male may work, but there will certainly be squabbling amongst more than one male, and at nearly 6" adult size more than 1 pair would be pushing the available territory limits.
The good news is that you can keep other species with Calvus. Larger shellies, smaller Julies, Cylindricus ( I'd keep singly ), Lelupi... there are a few out there that can be housed with Calvus.
 
well, that is great news! I do like the Lelupis too.......I will be taking my time gather thigns to get this set up, so pics will not be for a long while. I am getting excited now! :grinyes:

One more question.....If I use Texas Holey Rock along with eco complete cichlid (buffering) sand, will it send my Ph too high? Do I have to use only one of these items? I must have the holey rock but I like the B&W look of the EC cichlid sand.......
 
Yeah your fine i have 5 Comps and Calvus in my 120gal and they fight as well but i have tons of Holey rock in this tank for fast get a ways hehehe.. i also have lelupi, Cylindricus, Julidochromis, Mustax, and synodontis pretty busy tank i have.. yep please post some photos aye..
 
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