I haven't posted around here in a while so I believe it is time for an update!
The 29 gallon I had with my tanks was slowly turned into a grow out/ community tank. It got a bit over crowded so I upgraded to a 40 breeder. It's still quite a mix but I've changed my mind yet again and I will be slowly moving it to a Tang community tank.
I picked up a used 40 breeder and let me say that tank was FILTHY! I cleaned it up patched a hole in the side(bulkhead) and set it up. The 29 residents were moved and a new canister filter was set up to help with flow and keeping the tank clean. It was a rocky move. My rainbow cichlids and eel FREAKED out in the holding tank. I only had it half full and I was still worried about them jumping out.
My wonderful eel has been less than pleased with the move
In the 29 he greeted me every morning but in the 40 he has become much more reclusive. It's only been a week and a half so hopefully he will get use to it. I saw him one morning but usually I catch him out at night.
I have a pair of rainbow cichlids in the tank. I'm waiting for them to spawn then I will sell them to someone in the club. They are the biggest fish in the tank but are super skittish, especially since the move.
My calvus had trouble adapting to the move but seem to be better now. I got them January '10 and they were 1" long. Now they are 2" long and I *think* I have 2 males and 1 female. The "males are the same size and are just over 2" while the "female" is just under 2". The males have been bickering a lot more lately we shall see how that pans out. With a 40 breeder I won't have to rehome my calvus when they get bigger!! Horray!
Next in the odd stocking are my grow outs. These are for other tanks and for now are 1" or less. I have some F1Hemichromis sp. 'Moanda' . These guys are awesome and not nearly as aggressive as other jewel species.
My next grow out are some very tiny sciaenochromis fryeri. I know I know, What am I going to do with them when they are larger? No plan yet but for now they are awesome and I love growing fish out!
On to the plecos. I have 2 species of plecos I'm growing out in hopes of getting a pair. I have a group of shortfin calico bristle nose and a group of L201 (Love love LOVE this pleco).
I also have a group of endlers that I'm going to be rehoming. Livebearers are just so boring to me.
Finally I have today's purchase. I should be ashamed of this tank but I could not resist. I picked up 5 juvenile Lamprologus ocellatus "gold". These guys are just stunning in person! Amazing fish. Though right now they are not using the nice escargot shells I got them :swear:
So the eventual Tang community plan fr this tank is:
Gold occies
White calvus(pair, hopefully)
M. elipsifer
Some sort of neat small rainbow fish
My awesome plecos(2 pairs, again hopefully)
I want to see how this goes because I know have my eye on the 80 gallon. I've been playing with the idea of turning it into a Tang community mainly because 1) it's in the living room so I could watch it easier and 2) I would have way more options with stocking. I'm not giving up the mbuna yet. Just brainstorming :evil_lol:
SO this is my huge post without pictures LOL All the fishes are sleeping now so here are some old pictures of the filthy tank and my super awesome plecos! Picture update tomorrow!
EDIT: Ok here are some older pictures of the residents
The 29 gallon I had with my tanks was slowly turned into a grow out/ community tank. It got a bit over crowded so I upgraded to a 40 breeder. It's still quite a mix but I've changed my mind yet again and I will be slowly moving it to a Tang community tank.
I picked up a used 40 breeder and let me say that tank was FILTHY! I cleaned it up patched a hole in the side(bulkhead) and set it up. The 29 residents were moved and a new canister filter was set up to help with flow and keeping the tank clean. It was a rocky move. My rainbow cichlids and eel FREAKED out in the holding tank. I only had it half full and I was still worried about them jumping out.
My wonderful eel has been less than pleased with the move
In the 29 he greeted me every morning but in the 40 he has become much more reclusive. It's only been a week and a half so hopefully he will get use to it. I saw him one morning but usually I catch him out at night. I have a pair of rainbow cichlids in the tank. I'm waiting for them to spawn then I will sell them to someone in the club. They are the biggest fish in the tank but are super skittish, especially since the move.
My calvus had trouble adapting to the move but seem to be better now. I got them January '10 and they were 1" long. Now they are 2" long and I *think* I have 2 males and 1 female. The "males are the same size and are just over 2" while the "female" is just under 2". The males have been bickering a lot more lately we shall see how that pans out. With a 40 breeder I won't have to rehome my calvus when they get bigger!! Horray!
Next in the odd stocking are my grow outs. These are for other tanks and for now are 1" or less. I have some F1Hemichromis sp. 'Moanda' . These guys are awesome and not nearly as aggressive as other jewel species.
My next grow out are some very tiny sciaenochromis fryeri. I know I know, What am I going to do with them when they are larger? No plan yet but for now they are awesome and I love growing fish out!
On to the plecos. I have 2 species of plecos I'm growing out in hopes of getting a pair. I have a group of shortfin calico bristle nose and a group of L201 (Love love LOVE this pleco).
I also have a group of endlers that I'm going to be rehoming. Livebearers are just so boring to me.
Finally I have today's purchase. I should be ashamed of this tank but I could not resist. I picked up 5 juvenile Lamprologus ocellatus "gold". These guys are just stunning in person! Amazing fish. Though right now they are not using the nice escargot shells I got them :swear:
So the eventual Tang community plan fr this tank is:
Gold occies
White calvus(pair, hopefully)
M. elipsifer
Some sort of neat small rainbow fish
My awesome plecos(2 pairs, again hopefully)
I want to see how this goes because I know have my eye on the 80 gallon. I've been playing with the idea of turning it into a Tang community mainly because 1) it's in the living room so I could watch it easier and 2) I would have way more options with stocking. I'm not giving up the mbuna yet. Just brainstorming :evil_lol:
SO this is my huge post without pictures LOL All the fishes are sleeping now so here are some old pictures of the filthy tank and my super awesome plecos! Picture update tomorrow!
EDIT: Ok here are some older pictures of the residents
