Helping a friend setup...Need some input.

[branflake12]

Alright, I have a friend who is getting my old 29G, empty. Hes decided on a Malawai tank. He likes yellow labs, demasonis, kenyis and some different peacocks. I figure a mbuna tank, that size, will need a touch of controlled overcrowding. He knows plenty of fish care, understand the cycle and all that, just bought a magnum 350 canister for it.

SO,
How many and which ones is the big question. I told him 6 max of the smaller variety, maybe 4. He wants a bottom feeder too, a common plec wont be in that tank comfortably...suggestions on stuff that can survive mbunas?

Any basic help here is appriciated. Thanks again.

 

[liv2padl]

a 29 gallon tank is far too small for any Malawi cichlids. these are a territorially aggressive species and a 29 just doesn't provide sufficient space for the necessary rockwork. controlled overcrowding is a myth in my opinion ... it induces stress and doesn't allow for the normal behaviour of these fish. thus you end up with short lived cichlids who exhibit poor color in the process.

a 29 will house Tanganyikan species such as the Julidochromis and Lamprologines.

 

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

I highly agree....


You would need at least a 55 gallon tank to do a comfortable mbuna tank, and at least 75 gallons if you wanted to overcrowd it.

In a 29 gallon you could either temporarily house fry IF YOU KNOW you will be upgrading within a few months. Or, you could do a trio of yellow labs (1m 2f) IF YOU KNOW you will be upgrading within 6-8 months.

If not, then yes I reccommend a Lake Tangynikan tank with smaller species and shelldwellers.


-Diana

 

[branflake12]

Well i showed him what you all said, hes dissapointed but the 29 fits right into this space in the wall, like it was built for it...So it looks like Lake Tangynikan it is. I find myself asking the same question...(or be told to ask) which species work best together and how total? He wants lots of course, but we need some tank cleaners (big snails, plecs maybe?)
Thanks again guys, i just dont want him to buy fish that will be stressed and boring colored because of the setup, or wind up dead...these ones arent cheap.

 

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Im only so-so experienced with Tangs, but I have kept a few. Like was mentioned earlier, members of the Judiochromis and Neo/Lamprologous families are probebly your best bet.

You could probebly mix some regani, brevis/occellatus, lelupi, etc. While some are not superbly colorful, thier neat personalities definately makes up for it.

Maybe search the web for some good sites on tangynikan cichlids. Remember to look for smaller ones that will live comfortably in the 29 gallon.

Snails would probebly be eaten, but i'm sure a bristlenose pleco could be kept.


-Diana

 

[rbell219]

Well i showed him what you all said, hes dissapointed but the 29 fits right into this space in the wall, like it was built for it...So it looks like Lake Tangynikan it is. I find myself asking the same question...(or be told to ask) which species work best together and how total? He wants lots of course, but we need some tank cleaners (big snails, plecs maybe?)
Thanks again guys, i just dont want him to buy fish that will be stressed and boring colored because of the setup, or wind up dead...these ones arent cheap.

Some smaller Tangynikans will work---but lots--unfortunately the tank size will limit him to 4 to 6 due to territorial habits.
the julidichromis genre offers some very cool species that don't get very big


you can find info and pics here
http://www.cichlidrecipe.com/cichlidrecipe/crp15.htm