Aulonocara tank.

[dbastien]

I had a few questions about setting up a Peacock tank, first are there any peacocks that are suitable to go in a 35g tank? I was looking at A. maisoni and A. Rubescens or stuartgranti "chipoka" but i am not sure if any of these are suitable for a 35g.
Second if I want them to bread do i need a sand substrate, or is it just best to have a sand substrate for these species because it resembles their natural habitat.
I was also wondering if anyone had suggestions of two species that would be safe to put together that wouldent hybridize one that is blue and another that is orange or maybe yellow.
Finally, would it be safe to put them with Pseudotropheus saulosi?
Sorry for all the questions.
Thanks

Derek

 

[Nathane959]

I would put only 2 peacocks tops in a 35g. Make sure they have a place to hide like a cave etc........ Africans will crossbreed in a tank. Your substrate will not make a difference. You could always put only males in the tank, then they wont breed at all. Put a female in there with 2 males and your asking for trouble.

 

[dbastien]

ok thanks, cause i really like the look of peacocks. I was actually hoping to get them to bread so what would you suggest, just one species of Aulonocara. 1 male and 1 female? or would it be better to put 2 females with one male? When you said no more than 2 do you mean no more that 2 fish, or no more than 2 specied of fish?
Oh and i forgot to ask this earlier is it ok to put a pleco with peacocks?
thanks

Derek

 

[Nathane959]

Yeah you could put 2 females in with one male if you want.
This will increase the chances of a male being interested in a female.
you could put a pleco in thier also. If you want them to breed, it woudlnt hurt to give em a cave or something like that, not that its necessary, but it also gives em some privacy, and a place to hide if they are stressed. Some people will tell you make sure your temp is just right ,and this and that, but peacocks breed easily. Make sure your water quality is always the best it can be and your golden.

 

[kayla]

you could put a pleco in thier also

What kind of pleco are you suggesting? I would not get a common pleco for a 35gal tank, as they get 1-2 feet in length!

 

[dbastien]

I havent really looked in to what type of pleco yet, what type of plecos stay around 6" or so i am just making sure i get all me research done before i go out and finish buying what i need. I always have the option of trading in the pleco when it gets to big i guess too.
What other small species of cichlids go well with Aulonocara, looking for some suggestions so I have an idea of what to read up on.
Thanks

Derek

 

[kayla]

I havent really looked in to what type of pleco yet, what type of plecos stay around 6" or so i am just making sure i get all me research done before i go out and finish buying what i need. I always have the option of trading in the pleco when it gets to big i guess too.
Derek

Just trading a bigger plec for a smaller one isn't really fair. Many LFS will not even take them anymore, and I don't really blame them. You could try a bristlenose pleco they only get to about 4-6 inches I believe. Plec's are really messy sometimes.. lol Good Luck.

 

[dbastien]

Thanks for the info, yeah they are pretty messy my brother has some and they make a mess of his tank, is there another way to take care of the algae growth so it doesnt get rediculusly out of hand, I like the look of a bit of algae growing on things, but not that wild super long algae on everything.
Thanks

Derek