Is A Juwel Rio 180 Big Enough?

[Gavilb]

Hiya

ive got a Juwel Rio 180 litre (about 45 gallons?) and wondered if it would be big enough should i decide to keep cichlids. Its dimensions are 101cm long, 41cm deep and 50cm high.....

cheers

 

[Ferris]

That would be fine for Mbuna or Aulonocara but i wouldn't go for Haps in a tank that size. Any ideas on what you are going to get?

 

[Gavilb]

I was thinking of mbuna that arent particularly agressive...

the plan was to have male/female pairs of the following - 14 fish in total

2x Yellow lab
2x Blotch (melanochromis)
2x Bumblebee (Maylandia/Metriaclima crabro)
2x Demasoni
2x Powder blue (Pseudotropheus socolofi)
2x Rusty cichlid (Iodotropheus sprengerae)
2x Yellow tailed acei (Pseudotropheus acei)


is this too many - are there species that arent compatible here?? - are male/female pairs ok??

thanks

 

[Ferris]

You would be better either going for single specimins of each or 3 groups of 4 with 1 male to 3 female ratio. 2 of each species is asking for trouble especially if you end up with 2 males.

Demasoni and Crabro are among the most aggressive species so you might want to rethink those choices. Yellow labs, Psudotropheus Acei, Pseudotropheus Saulosi and Iodotropheus Sperengerae are good options if you want less aggressive species.

Socolofi are moderately aggressive and i'm not sure what you mean by "Blotch(melanochromis)". Blotch is normally associated with Pseudotropheus Zebra (orange blotch variety) which tend to be moderate/high in terms of aggression. Can't think of a "blotch" from the melanochromis species.

 

[Gavilb]

i was thinking of this

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/mel_blotch.htm

 

[Ginge]

It does look a nicwe fish but can you get hold of it? Also it seems to be a fairly unknown fish.

 

[Ferris]

The only info i can find is Melanochromis Baliodigma and Melanochromis perileucos which are sometimes referred to as Melonochromis Blotch. However the site in your link is shall we say a little bit "iffy" IMO with its information and their pic looks more like Melanochromis Chipokae.

As Ginge says, i think you'll struggle to find any of these species with the exception of Chipokae and be warned Chipokae are pretty much at the top of the aggression scale. I have 1 in my tank but he is growing up as the baby of the tank in with fully grown similarly aggressive fish who can take care of themselves (hopefully).

 

[aberdeen aquarist]

I have a rio 180, with mbuna in it. There are 6 yellow tail acei, 6 rusties and 6 ps. saulosi in there atm, all between 2-4". I am planning on adding 6 of another species, but not sure which yet.
I would advise keeping larger groups of fewer species, it makes for a more peaceful tank and makes your life easier than if you have pairs of more aggressive fish.

 

[Ginge]

IMO i would not add another 6 to your already tank of 18mbuna that is overstockin alot even by mbuna standards. And with regards to agressive tanks look at Ferris' fish list if you want agresive.

 

[Ferris]

aa - thats a nice combination of fish you have there but i agree with Ginge, adding any more would be pushing it. You should have a lovely long-term setup there, IMO don't spoil it.