stocking a 40 gallon peacock tank
- Thread starter reptileguy2727
- Start date
so what size tank should they have? what footprint is minimum for them? and that adds up well, one says 3, another says 6-7, and another says 0. this is why i dont just ask here.
Just in case you haven't seen this, I'll link it for your reading.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/peacocks.php
I would not just ask here, either, if I was seeking information on stocking a tank. I use as many resources as I can before making a decision on what and how many fish to put into a tank, as I think everyone should do.
The term peacock to me relates to a very generic term for a large variety of fish, ranging from 4" to as much as 9", and for the most part, are best kept in the standard mix of one male/3-4 females. Also, while known to be listed as mild and a community type cichlid tank fish, they can have aggressive tendancies.
Especially if not enough space to establish territories, not enough females, improper decor for hiding spots/security and a good diet.
I repeatedly see 55-75 gallon tanks recommended for them. While I personally think a 40 tall is not right for the long term adult size of a harem of the smaller peacocks, I have kept them in 40 breeders. But just the mating pair.
I could make a generic statement that I've kept peacocks in a 20 gal. But it was just for raising fry. Kept moving them out during grow out, to 30, to 40 to 55, and so on. With each upgrade moving fewer fish to the next size tank.
However, most aquarists, do not do this and I read your question as this is a long term set up. SO my personal answer would be none. I think a 55 would be better.
Stocking questions are probably some of the most heated issues. All fish are genetically different from one another and often have their distinct personalities. Like, some bettas will ignore shrimp and others won't. Fish keepers are a strange brood also. Every one's definition of proper care is different; in actual practice and what they proclaim they are doing.
Until we can design some pop up units for all fish, like those on Butterball Turkeys, that can warn us of over stocking, too small a tank and high ammonia, we just have to ask for advice, assimilate it, take a course of action and adjust as necessary.
Plan Do Analyze Change...repeat process
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/peacocks.php
I would not just ask here, either, if I was seeking information on stocking a tank. I use as many resources as I can before making a decision on what and how many fish to put into a tank, as I think everyone should do.
The term peacock to me relates to a very generic term for a large variety of fish, ranging from 4" to as much as 9", and for the most part, are best kept in the standard mix of one male/3-4 females. Also, while known to be listed as mild and a community type cichlid tank fish, they can have aggressive tendancies.
Especially if not enough space to establish territories, not enough females, improper decor for hiding spots/security and a good diet.
I repeatedly see 55-75 gallon tanks recommended for them. While I personally think a 40 tall is not right for the long term adult size of a harem of the smaller peacocks, I have kept them in 40 breeders. But just the mating pair.
I could make a generic statement that I've kept peacocks in a 20 gal. But it was just for raising fry. Kept moving them out during grow out, to 30, to 40 to 55, and so on. With each upgrade moving fewer fish to the next size tank.
However, most aquarists, do not do this and I read your question as this is a long term set up. SO my personal answer would be none. I think a 55 would be better.
Stocking questions are probably some of the most heated issues. All fish are genetically different from one another and often have their distinct personalities. Like, some bettas will ignore shrimp and others won't. Fish keepers are a strange brood also. Every one's definition of proper care is different; in actual practice and what they proclaim they are doing.
Until we can design some pop up units for all fish, like those on Butterball Turkeys, that can warn us of over stocking, too small a tank and high ammonia, we just have to ask for advice, assimilate it, take a course of action and adjust as necessary.
Plan Do Analyze Change...repeat process
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the original intention was for permanent residence. however if it isnt good for permanency, i wouldnt mind growing them out in there and then selling them to the LFS i work at. i may like the adults more than the juveniles and decide to keep them in there or setup a larger tank for them, but in general i think i may like simply growing them out and then selling them once they are bigger. it also depends on whether i can get females, or if they will be just a mix of unknowns. i have heard that if a peacock has any color its a male, is that true? does that apply to the OBs? is the best way to tell a peacock from the others in a tank of assorteds just the head and face shape?
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ob_peacock.php
You might try a post there for specifics on the OB. They are hybirds and I do not have any nor have bred them. Most LFS so terribly mislabel their cichlids, I would recommend buying from a breeder with a good reputation or from a member of a local aquatic club.
For most peacocks, the females are drab and colorless. Some will get egg spots, others won't. Males can take up to two years to develop full coloration. Not sure how the OB relate to that. Might have to give them a try.
You might try a post there for specifics on the OB. They are hybirds and I do not have any nor have bred them. Most LFS so terribly mislabel their cichlids, I would recommend buying from a breeder with a good reputation or from a member of a local aquatic club.
For most peacocks, the females are drab and colorless. Some will get egg spots, others won't. Males can take up to two years to develop full coloration. Not sure how the OB relate to that. Might have to give them a try.
OB's--I have one male, 4 females, I'd guess their age at around one year. The male started showing flecks of iridescent blue around head when he was @ 6 months, with vertical bars breaking up into splotches, and gradually had the blue spread in areas along with a lovely orange, and large yellow egg spots. His lips are turquoise. He is just at if not slightly under 4"; lovely full body shape. The females still have vertical stripes, although not as defined as my Taiwan Reef peacock females, and are just a drab pale tan (TR's are silvery). From what I've seen of OB's in my research, their color and even type of marking is pretty much a crapshoot, as they are from random peacock and mbuna (up to breeder). I think they're interesting as I like "oddball" fishies, but wouldn't buy more. [The growing fry are my attempt at just breeding fish, and will stay with me until. .. I really wouldn't recommend breeding OB's as the get will be even more random and unpredictable. . .]
I also have a random hybrid female (she has spawned and I have one accidental survivor that hid in the 55 for quite some time) who is quite atypical---a solid, pinkish overall color, very even, with small orange spots all over body and fins. She is most defintely a peacock, but was missold as a different peacock by a less than reputable lfs.
I also have a random hybrid female (she has spawned and I have one accidental survivor that hid in the 55 for quite some time) who is quite atypical---a solid, pinkish overall color, very even, with small orange spots all over body and fins. She is most defintely a peacock, but was missold as a different peacock by a less than reputable lfs.
