Max Tang stocking frustration

[AfroCichlid]

i am picking up some paracyp. primrose for 7 bucks ea. from a guy about an hour away. although pretty common cyps, good for me being my first cyps. i will see what it would cost to ship over to u if the fish r nice...

Any news yet on the shipping? I just upgraded and am finally big enough for some Leptosomas!

 

[toddnbecka]

Paracyp's aren't the same as Cyp's, they're oriented toward rocks rather than open water. They like shallow caves well above the substrate, and nearly vertical rock faces for spawning. The females lay an egg, then catch it as it rolls down the rock face after being fertilized.

 

[DrNo]

Update: still pondering options but in the interim here's the Tang rock re-work: check the most recent updates to my Gallery thread.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162474&page=4

 

[toddnbecka]

Here's a few pics of my Tang 55 when it contained a large colony of multi's, buescheri, and Synodontis. The paracyp's had been sold, and the V. moorii on the way:
whole tank

Far left corner closeup (buescheri spawning pair loved rockpile.):

Juvie among rocks:

Left side:

Middle, multi colony occupies shells and barnacles:

Closeup of right side:

Closeup far right corner:

 

[DrNo]

Awesome todd! They seem to love those barnacles.

I have resolved to complete the stock.

Existing stock:

1) The polypterus (bichir) wild-card. He could eat anyone at anytime but so far he's been good

2) 3 Altolamp comp. Muzi 'Gold Head'

Ordered stock: I'm going to buy these from Dave's Fish in Tx.

3) 10 Cypro lepto. Malasa 'Blue Flash'

4) 3 Altolamp comp. Mwela 'Orange'

Any last comments? Otherwise, let the ordering commence. Thanks again to all for the comments and suggestions.

 

[Pittbull]

Cool deal man i love the barnacle clusters, i was thinking of just a tank full of barnacle clusters and sand and a shellie species, i am talking wall to wall clusters..

Pretty cool Todd oh yeah i no longer have the buescheri so if i get another tank free i may some day get those buescheri's from you thanks buddy for keeping me in mind and sorry for putting that off a bit..

Hey Vader sweet photos of your tank man.. good job..

 

[toddnbecka]

Aside from a 4' tank being cramped for 10 Cyp's, they'll almost certainly become bicher food sooner or later. They're the perfect size/shape to be swallowed, and bichers hunt at night when they'll be resting on the bottom.

 

[DrNo]

Aside from a 4' tank being cramped for 10 Cyp's, they'll almost certainly become bicher food sooner or later. They're the perfect size/shape to be swallowed, and bichers hunt at night when they'll be resting on the bottom.

Interesting, I didn't know that cyps rested on the bottom at night. That is bad news indeed... very bad news. For some reason I assumed they would be mid-tank sleepers more similar to other schoolers I've owned like gourami, danios, barbs, etc. Sounds like a deal breaker

 

[toddnbecka]

Cyp's are the main diet of Front's in Lake Tanganykia, they also hunt at night.

 

[DrNo]

Cyp's are the main diet of Front's in Lake Tanganykia, they also hunt at night.

Daves is also selling medium-large (ML) orange leleupi. What would you expect the size of these guys to be upon shipment?

There's a reason I named this thread stocking frustration LOL. The bichir is like a member of the family but man, he really makes things interesting.