ID this cichlid.

[tarheels910]

brand new = cycled yet or not ?

35 hex is not good for mixing mbuna (which is what that guy is darnit it will come to me in a minute). Maybe consider a group of labs (1 male 3 females) with a group of the black purple ones (1 male 3 females). This is doable with diligent water changes (30 - 40% weekly) and good filtration (what are you currently using).

The problem with the 35 hex is lack of length and surface area - with mbuna its all about the length (territory). With stocking generally its all about surface area (greater surface area allows more oxygenation).

Again, the main question is, if its brand new, is it cycled/how did you 'cycle' ?

The fish in question is not a mbuna. It is a Victorian cichlid. I would only do one species in a 35 hex. Preferably yellow labs. 1 male- 4 females. You could get away with one Acei.

 

[Coler]

yes ! that's the one - thanks tar heels; sorry was posting late last night, of course its not a mbuna.

I do think you could have one lab, one acei, one socolofi, a rusty and lets say another acei (yellow fin) or a pseudo macrothalamus (albino strain is nice) in that tank, all male.

If you just do the labs you better have a plan for the fry of course.

 

[tarheels910]

I dont know if I would do an all male tank in a 35 hex. Seeing the footprint is very small there will be a huge fight for that lower level.

 

[zachjohnson65]

Once i'm cycled i think i may do 3 upside down cats first then maybe try an acei or rusty then finally add my lab. I have been advised that having only 2-3 cichlids in a tank may cause more aggression but i do not know what else to do. A 35 gallon for one lab sounds really funny. It is good that i also like cats, which i think may be a good mix.

 

[Coler]

I dont know if I would do an all male tank in a 35 hex. Seeing the footprint is very small there will be a huge fight for that lower level.

I wouldn't say its ideal either.

I think it is doable though where you stick to the less aggressive species and avoid anything similar in respect of colour.

And you may have to bring one or two back and replace as time goes on and 'personality' (murderous intent) develops.

 

[Coler]

hmmm...as regards the cats...perhaps one, maybe with 4 or 5 cichlids. The synodontis are fiesty little beggars themselves and I think 3 is far too much in that foot print.

What species of syno is available to you ?

 

[zachjohnson65]

I currently have a pokia dot syno that is 5" and he is doing great. In the area we really only have upside down, polka dot, lace, and maybe mutli. I was thinking of upside down because they are out in the day and are smaller and like small schools. I like to have activity in the tank.

 

[Coler]

as tarheels says, if you try the mix there will already be a lot of competition along the bottom of the tank. I would reconsider adding more synos in that tank, in fact I wouldn't add any more.

 

[zachjohnson65]

Ok well i guess i'm learning alot here. 1st i should say no to adopt fish. 2nd Cichlids are very different then community. 3rd. I have a problem, all of the fish i would like to stock all like the bottom layer of the tank, which is not an ideal size. So i guess i have to rethink yet again what to do with this Lab. I have stress now. sorry needed to vent.

 

[tarheels910]

Ok well i guess i'm learning alot here. 1st i should say no to adopt fish. 2nd Cichlids are very different then community. 3rd. I have a problem, all of the fish i would like to stock all like the bottom layer of the tank, which is not an ideal size. So i guess i have to rethink yet again what to do with this Lab. I have stress now. sorry needed to vent.

Where do you live? Im sure a fish store will take him.