If I purchase a 29 gallon tank, can I put Yellow Labs in it? If so, how many? How easy are they to breed? I really love these fish, and I want to breed them. Is this possible in this size tank? Also, can they live with a Chinese Algae Eater? Im gonna do more research about them, but I doubt Ill find any sites that answer the questions I just presented.

Thanks

Well, according to members on here, no. I would say go for it, but if i did, i could be telling you to make a HUGE mistake, so i wont. In all ralisty, a Yellow Lab needs for tank space. Around 40-55 gallons minimum. Lots of rockwork, and most of there diet being veggitable, i would suggest feeding with Spirulina Flakes , and a good quality African Cichlid Pellet or Flake. The prefer warm water, around 78-82 degrees. They are very easy to breed, just get a good male, and 2- 4 females, and w ait a month, and tehy'll be babeis everywhere.

Krib

Well, I dont have room for a bigger tank, so I guess Im not getting a new tank, since I dont get the point of spending more money to get a bunch of fish I already have (like tetras and livebearers).

O well

Thanks anyways

I quarantined 5 yellow labs in my 29 gallon tank. Let me tell you...they still fought. They are mbuna after all and they are aggressive, although on a slightly lesser scale. These fish aren't meant to be crammed in small tanks. The general rule for them is the tank has to be AT LEAST 4 feet in length for mbuna
That allows for any territories to be established and some room for the "weaker" one to run from the assailant.

Alright, I just figured since these dont grow as large as other Cichlids, they would be fine, but if not, id rather not stress them out.

Good call! Glad your taking the fish into consideration!

You never know...maybe someday you can get a tank big enough

On second thought there are other species of cichlids that you could have in a 29!!!

Here are some examples:

Tanganyika Mini-Community

If you wanted three pairs (groups) of fish:
• 'Lamprologus' (Shellies) brevis, multifasciatus, melegaris, ornatipinnis, ocellatus, speciosus, similis, Neolamprologus signatus, Altolamprologus sp. "Compressiceps Shell"
• Neolamprologus caudopunctatus (non-Shellies)
• Julidiochromis ornatus or transcriptus
• Telmatochromis bifrenatus, brichardi or vittatus
• Paracyprichromis nigripinnis,
• Xenotilapia flavipinnis

Shell Dweller Aquarium

• 'Lamprologus' brevis - 1 pair
• 'Lamprologus' stappersii - trio
• Ancistrus temminckii "Bristlenose Pleco" - 1


• 'Lamprologus' multifasciatus - 5
• Brachydanio rerio "Zebra Danio" - 3
• Ancistrus temminckii "Bristlenose Pleco" - 1


• Alto. sp. "Compressiceps Shell"- 1 pair
• 'Lamprologus' caudopunctatus - 1 pair
• 'Lamprologus' similis - 1 trio

• Julidochromis regani - 1 pair
• Neolamprologus leleupi - 1 pair
• 'Lamprologus' occelatus - 1 trio


• Telmatocrhomis vittatus - 1 pair
• Lepidiolamprologus hecqui - 1 pair
• Synodontis petricola - 3


You could aim to have two pairs of fish. Your choice: (Works for 29gal also)
• Julidochromis regani - 1 pair
• Neolamprologus leleupi - 1 pair
• 'Lamprologus occelatus- 1 trio

-OR-

• Altolamprologus calvus or compressiceps pair
and one of:
• 'Lamprologus' (Shellies) brevis, multifasciatus, melegaris, ornatipinnis, ocellatus, speciosus, similis or neolamprologus signatus
Normally one would get six young individuals of these fish, and remove the balance of the fish once they have a pair. If you wanted three pairs (groups) of fish.


If you wanted three pairs (groups) of fish:
• 'Lamprologus' (Shellies) brevis, multifasciatus, melegaris, ornatipinnis, ocellatus, speciosus, similis, Neolamprologus signatus or Altolamprologus sp. "Compressiceps Shell"
• Neolamprologus caudopunctatus (non-Shellies)
• Julidiochromis ornatus or transcriptus
• Telmatochromis bifrenatus, brichardi or vittatus

Victoria & Malawi Combo

• Haplochromis sp. "Ruby Green" - trio
• Metriaclima livingstonii - 5
• Ancistrus temminckii "Bristlenose Pleco" - 2

Woah Thanks
Thats almost too much for me to follow. DO you have any suggestions for the hardiest, easiest to breed and most colorful? I googled most of them, but im sure i missed some.

Ones I really liked are
Paracyprichromis nigripinnis
Xenotilapia flavipinnis
Neolamprologus leleupi

Also, what could I add as far as a algae clean-up crew? Honestly, I hate bristlenose Plecs. They scare me.


Could I possibly put angels in it? Or would it be too small for them too. I was just thinking, I have never seen any of the ones you mentions, so therefor the chance of me finding any to buy would be slim. Angels I know I can find.

This post has been edited by shortymet55: Jun 19 2008, 02:06 AM

My guess would be that the shellies are easiest to breed ('Lamprologus' (Shellies) brevis, multifasciatus, melegaris, ornatipinnis, ocellatus, speciosus, similis, Neolamprologus signatus or Altolamprologus sp. "Compressiceps Shell")

I like the Julidiochromis ornatus or transcriptus or regani. I just love their streamlined body. I can't put them in my tank though. I have mbuna a victorian cichlid in my tank.

Surely a store near you would have some of these??? If not see if they will ask for some with their next order of fish

I think i still might trash this idea. I know ill have to end up spending more money than I have if I get to far into this. Breeding tanks and such. Ill stick to my 10 gallon with livebearers.

I completely understand Come back anytime if you later decide that you may want to try

We'll be here