I have a 55l with what has become a 2 species tank, not that you would know it as you NEVER see the fish. I have a large group of Cobalt Blues and a large group of Yellow Labs in a rocky tank, the yellows are the Left end Gang and the Blues are the Right side bullies. I did have 6 tiger barbs, big ones, 3 green and 3 orange in there, but they ate the Green ones, they killed off a female P.S. Nicholsi, almost killed the male, ripped apart a red tailed shark, saved him in time, so now they are all alone. So, I have learned they are MEAN, and nothing will be added to the tank, just maintain the balance that is there now. Finally my question, these fish appear to be subterranean, they live UNDER THE ROCKS in caves and tunnels they have created and come out for feeding time or a quick cruise, so my question is, how do I correct this? Or is it just the behavior of this species? Should I remove the rocks and use more of a bare landscape? Should I create a pile of rocks in the centre of the tank instead of along the walls of the tank? Would this correct the disappearing fish phenomenon? Please any and all advice would be welcomed as they just don't look happy. Thankx
cobalt blues and yellow labs HELP
- Thread starter samsmom
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Believe it or not, I have reached a wonderful answer to my mean blue dilemma, the Calgary Zoo is accepting them. hey are creating 2 tanks one 650 and one 480 for African and sa/ca displays. The answer to your question is 15 Cobalt blues and 10 yellow Labs in a 55 long with slate stacked along the back walls in the classic "C" shape. The fish average 2-3+ inches.
25 fully grown fish (4"-5") in a 55 gal tank even as suggested to overstock an mbuna tank is a little overkill in my opinion.
that is pretty cramped alright - glad you found a place you're happy to send them. I would probably have advised that you cut the cobalts down to 1 male, 3 females; you could leave the ten labs, and then add another group of mbuna to replace the cobalts...maybe albino socolofi or something well away from the blue and yellow colour you have, 1 male to 3 or 4 females.
Thankx for the advice, I thought I was a little heavy on the fish population, but as a relative newby I really liked the colour combo, and they were much smaller then. LOL