Frontosa's

[Matt Gleadow]

I'm looking at getting a new tank, I've always wanted Frontosa's but there was no way my original tank (96litres lol!) would be suitable.

Would I be able to start out with a 4 foot long tank to grow them out in for 3-4 years as I plan on getting them when they are small then move up to a bigger tank once they get bigger?

It's just an idea at the moment. Last time I bought a tank I didn't do much research into what I might want, went out bought a tank, looked at ideas for fish and found I had limited myself as to what fish I could have so this time I'd like to do it right especially seen as though I have found this forum!

I've read up a little on Frontosa's and the main concern is 'float'. I saw an article on cichlid-forum about puncturing the fish to release the air if it gets float. I wouldn't feel confident in doing that so thats putting me off a little.

 

[Boids-n-more]

If you buy a 4 foot tank and you know they will outgrow it , then your limiting yourself again. You could do it that way but why not just buy 1 tank and be done with it. As far as the float thing i have no idea on that. Is it going to be a species only tank or a mix with other africans.

 

[Matt Gleadow]

I've had a PM reply off someone called Kevin that's given me some good advice but thanks for your input aswell!

I'm going to go for a bigger tank from the start so I don't have to upgrade. The reason for the 4 foot was that to start with it's going to be in my bedroom and I didn't want it taking over my room. I'd read that they can take 3-4 years to start getting big. I thought by that point I'll have got my own place and could get a bigger tank. But I'll just go for a bigger tank to start with as have been informed they grow quicker than what I 1st imagined.

I'd only have frontosa's in there, with the exception of maybe a catfish if there are any that are suitable to go with them.

 

[Boids-n-more]

I feel your makeing the right choice. Don't forget to check news paper adds , theres usually some real nice deals with everything included for a good price.

 

[ASD]

Because fronts live in deep water, the collectors have to decompress the fish when bringing them to the surface. Sometimes, to save money, they will surface the fish a little too fast, causing the swimbladder to become damaged. I had a bad case of float with a female mpimbwe, but she still lived a fairly normal life, even though she had trouble getting around the tank. She even had a couple of broods. Contrary to popular belief, sticking needles into them does not help at all, once the swimbladder has been damaged, there is no cure.

Also, in my old fish house, i used to keep groups of fronts in 4x18x18 tanks. No problems, they rarely stray far from their rocks/plastic tubes.

 

[andypo20]

MY FRONTOSA LIVES VERY HAPPILY ALONGSIDE CONVICTS (BREEDING PR) AND PANGASIUS, BUT NO ANGELS!!! DEF NO ANGELS YOU GET CHAOS WITH THEM!!

 

[Ferris]

MY FRONTOSA LIVES VERY HAPPILY ALONGSIDE CONVICTS (BREEDING PR) AND PANGASIUS, BUT NO ANGELS!!! DEF NO ANGELS YOU GET CHAOS WITH THEM!!

STOP SHOUTING!

 

[andypo20]

sorry ill whisper

 

[Matt Gleadow]

What catfish are suitable to share a tank with Frontosa? I like the look of things like the Gold Spot Pleco but whether they are compatible with Frontosa or whether my tank will be big enough I don't know.

I would be buying the Frontosa young from a breeder so they wouldn't be wild. That would avoid the chance of them having damaged swim bladders I hope!

 

[andypo20]

What catfish are suitable to share a tank with Frontosa? I like the look of things like the Gold Spot Pleco but whether they are compatible with Frontosa or whether my tank will be big enough I don't know.

I would be buying the Frontosa young from a breeder so they wouldn't be wild. That would avoid the chance of them having damaged swim bladders I hope!

I KEEP PICTUS X2
SYNO X1
AND 2 PANGASIUS SUTCHI WITH MY FRONTOSA AND 2 PLECS
PLU BREEDING PR OF CONVICTS!!!
ALL VERY HAPPY!!