got some multies and some questions

[wrs]

1. at what size are the sexually mature?
2. How long would it take for them to start breeding from the date of purchase, estimate.
3. in a 10 gallon would there be any other fish that can live with them? i only have two.
4. what PH do these fish like the most. i herd around a 8.2?
5. i ran out of tests, and no longer have the box or the tube that they came in, and I cant remeber what it was called, what is a gpood PH tester that goes up to the range that these fish like. I got some new stuff, but it only goes upto 7.6?
6. how often should i add the tang buffer to the tank? TI forgot to ask the store, and dont want to be annoying as ive been there alot latley.
7. if I were to move them to a 20 gallon later in the month around Christmas, what other fish could live with them in that size tank?

 

[freddyk]

1. Not sure, they are generally fully grown at little more then 1/2" for females, and an inch for males though, and they grow quickly.

2. As long as it takes them to get comfortable. a day, a week... who knows? Just provide them a good home and they'll breed.

3. Get some more! These colony breeders do well in groups, and 4 or 5 would be fine in a 10. Something tough that sticks to the top of the tank could work, like zebra danio's, but a 10 gallon really doesn't offer much space for non-cichlids.

4. They'll do well in anything you provide that is neutral or higher, but 8 or so is ideal.

5. they all do the job

6. You never really need to add this stuff, but if you want t use it anyway, you add it for any new water going into the tank, and no more.

7. In a 20 gallon you can put them with a small rock dwelling tanganyikan, or a tough schooling fish like danio's or serpae tetra's - something that keeps to the open water and will gladly avoid the bottom of the tank.

 

[wrs]

in a 55 what could live with them, or a 29 high? preferably cichlids. (im hoping to get one for christmas, though i doubt i will)

would these be considered peaceful for cichlids? they seem to be from what i've herd.

do have a name of a good PH test that you use for youre cichlids?

 

[freddyk]

Multifasciatus take a very small territory, preferably in the form of a pile of various sized shells. Given a sand substrate and plenty of shells they'll dig and pile the shells together as a nest. They will then defend this nest with everything they have - but they won't bother anything that doesn't infringe into their space.

As far as cichlid tankmates you are best keeping to small Tanganyikan rock dwellers, and decorating the tank accordingly, giving plenty of open ground for the shellies, and some nice rock cover for the rockies. Species that would work could include Julidochromis Regani, and Neolamp. Leleupi. In the 55, a small schoal of a smaller Cyprichromis variety would work well too - these are one of the only real shoaling cichlids.

I use Aquarium Pharmaceuticals drops - they've always worked well enough for me.