Planning a 72g bowfront....

[Coler]

I have been looking at Cichlids The Pictorial Guide & was wondering what kind of info is included? Like habitat, size, diet, aggression level etc. It is not in stock at any of my local stores or I would just go look for myself.

Its got basic information. Size, breeding type (mouthbreeder/substrate spawner etc.), geographical location and diet (plant/piscivore). Its really more of an identification aid than anything else - the pictures are superb quality.

It won't help with temperament etc - probably communication with people who keep the fish is the best tool here - if only someone would put up some kind of internally networked site location dealing with aquariums which you could access from oh wait hang on....durnit...there goes another great idea

 

[myswtsins]

The problem with having single males in with breeding groups is that it might eventually lead to hybrids, single males will try to breed with any female present irregardless if it's their own specie, and mbuna are prone to that.

Excellent point! Never thought about that, Thanks.

Its got basic information. Size, breeding type (mouthbreeder/substrate spawner etc.), geographical location and diet (plant/piscivore). Its really more of an identification aid than anything else - the pictures are superb quality.

It won't help with temperament etc - probably communication with people who keep the fish is the best tool here - if only someone would put up some kind of internally networked site location dealing with aquariums which you could access from oh wait hang on....durnit...there goes another great idea

:lol2: I agree but unfortunately I will have to be self sufficient at the show because I have no portable internet to bring with me. I guess I will buy the book and start studying now.

The Afra is definitely an option now, I found several blueish female varieties. Thanks again!

 

[myswtsins]

So I got the book a few days ago. It is kinda banged up for a new book but oh well, nice pictures but it does seem a bit outdated, 13 yrs old. I figure I will add all my own notes anyways!

I definitely like the Afra but I also found Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos which both female & males are blue patterned & they seem to be less aggressive than the johanni. Does anyone have any experience with these guys?

Having a hard time with setting up my rocks in the tank too! Since they are so irregular shaped it is hard to get them stable with decent sized caves. Tell me what you guys think?

I am getting more rocks so this is just to get started so hopefully when I add more rocks it will be easier to create caves. I am also thinking maybe I just need bigger rocks.

A lot of pictures I see of AC tanks do not have many caves, or rocks for the matter. With overstocking the tank as much as I am will the actual caves be that critical?

(If you want to see more pictures of the tank you can check out my build thread.)

 

[myswtsins]

So the auction was this Sunday and I still don't have my fish. They did not have anything I was looking for except some yellow labs, figures. I found a decently priced place online though...6 species with 8 per (total of 48 fish) for $270.80 after shipping. That gives me an average of $7.73 per fish. The cheapest locally is the yellow labs @ $7 so it is better than anything locally. Think I can get em cheaper?

I did put some fish in the tank though to make sure it is habitable! Ameca Spledens

 

[myswtsins]

Well I did some adjusting and I got it down to $5 per fish, which I can live with! And the Ameca Splendens are doing great in the tank, if anyone wanted to know. :uhoh:

 

[Pittbull]

cool deal buddy..

 

[Coler]

Very good looking rockwork - Are you moving on the splendens and sticking wiith the mbuna plan ?

 

[myswtsins]

Thanks Coler. Yea the splendens are just visiting & will be removed soon. I actually bought my first Mbuna today! I got some Yellow Labs from user M. Boona & am I very pleased. I will be ordering the rest today from Atlantis - Tropical fish Hatchery & then adding the bottom feeders a little later down the line.

Speaking of bottom feeders, I would really love to add some Pimelodus pictus with just 1 syno eupterus. I have seen them in cichlid setups & have read/been told that they do well with them, any further opinions?

I am a little concerned about the bio-load though. I cycled the tank WELL beyond the amount of bacteria I would have needed but 4 days ago I added the 15 Amecas to test the water out. I have not added the amount of ammonia I normally do for obvious reasons . I am wondering how long it takes for the bacteria to starve when there is a much smaller amount of ammonia/nitrites then normal. I plan to watch the levels closely and do plenty of water changes for the first few weeks anyway so I don't think it will be too big of a problem.

*EDIT* IF I was to eliminate 1 species from this tank which one who you choose? (you=anyone who wants to give their input) It just seems like a lot for one tank. 150 inches of robust fish + bottom dwellers in a 72g tank...... I want to overstock of course but that is more than double.

 

[Coler]

I'd say none lol gotta overstock with the mbuna and yours is ok for a well filtered 72 especially juvies - get 'em all, maybe move some out as they grow on I say. You'll have favourits by then.

Now that you have fish in no more adding ammonia btw - unless I misread your post, it seemed you might be doing that.

The tank will have adjusted to what is in the tank, so don't get all those fish in at once. Do a group (of 4 or 5) per week, monitoring water carefully as you go. The cats - I don't know so much, maybe someone else can come in here.

 

[M. Boona]

I wouldn't be too worried about the cycle and the new fish. Cichlids are pretty hardy fish. When I originally started keeping fish and didn't know much about them and the fish cycle, I added all my cichlids at once and suprisingly didn't have any fatalities. Just keep an eye on the levels and be prepared to do a couple water changes if needed and you'll be fine.