Plans for 180 hap breeding tank

Schneider

Schneider

AC Members
Jul 26, 2009
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I plan on tearing down my 180 all-male mixed Malawi cichlid tank to restock it with a couple of groups of Malawi haps. I plan on reducing my rock pile dramatically and possibly growing some plants. I wish to initially stock 8 nimbochromis fuscotaeniatus and eight dimidiochromis strigatus removing all but one male of each species when their sexes become apparent. I would also keep one group of eight yellow labs to give some color contrast. I will purchase a 40 breeder for a growout tank if I go with this setup. Does anyone know anything about these two hap species? I have kept venustas, livingstonis and compressiceps in the past and just want to know if these fish will be comparable as far as behavior. They are uncommon in my area and I just located a source where I can acquire these fish. The lfs said they would even be interested in buying any fry produced since their suppliers don't carry these fish. Anyone have pics of a well set up Malawi hap tank? It seems like everyone on this forum either keeps mbuna or tangs.
 
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Fuscos are similar in behavior to livingstoni or venustus. Medium sized ( up to 10" if memory serves ). I have seen some great Hap setups here but I don't know where to locate them, perhaps the search function? The ideal setup would include minimum rock-work to allow for maximum swimming space. Your stocking plan sounds fine to me though I have no experience with strigatus, but your plan for one male to several females is sound. Labs should be fine; just keep in mind the dietary differences and try to get the Labs as much vegetable foods as possible.
 
Thanks Pitt and Afro. Will use the search feature to check out different hap tanks. I know this answer should have been obvious. I am so embarassed. My excuse is that I never owned a computer until a few months ago. I would have bought one sooner if I knew about these useful online forums. Next step is to get a digital camera so I can show you guys the tank when its finished. 34 years old and just climbing out of the stone age!
 
It would be nice if we had stickies containing full tank shots only on the specialized forums ( Rift Lake, SA/CA, etc... ) so that people can more easily locate them. They're generally spread between here and the picture forum. You can use Google as well. Something like " hap tank pictures ", then click on the " Images " link at the top. I found a few that way.
We always love pics around here, so post em if you got em.
 
Cool yeah when you do and if you need any pointers just give us a yell out on the photography issue aye..
 
I was recently advised not to stock these two hap species together because they will hybridise. Anyone know if this is likely? If so I would like to keep the fuscotaeniatus in the plans, but drop the strigatus. Any reccomendations for an alternate to strigatus. My lfs gets protomelas "taiwan reef" ocasionally. I just wonder if Nimbochromis species will be too aggressive to mix with them. I am also open to ideas for other hap species to mix with the fuscos.
 
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