Stocking For A 55gal

[Michelle1281]

Hi all!

This is my first post on this forum. I've been reading for a while now and see that there are quite a few knowledgable people here, and I'm hoping some of you can help me with my questions.

I am planning on setting up a Cichlid tank in my office. I would like to keep mainly Malawi mbunas. I am still in the planning stages, as I don't yet even have a tank! The tank I will have will most likely be a 48" 55gal unless I can find a really good deal on a 70gal or so.

I plan on making my own background using styrofoam and concrete to make it look like rock and give the fish places to hide, and I will probably use play or pool filter sand for substrate.

My questions are mainly about the mix and number of fish that I can keep in the tank. I would like to stick to some of the more common cichlids, as my sources for fish are limited.

Some of the ones that catch my eye:
Labidochromis caeruleus
Pseudotropheus socolofi
Metriaclima estherae
Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei"
Melanochromis johannii
Metriaclima zebra

Will some of these fish be a good mix together and work in my tank? Are there others you can suggest that would also work well? How many of each should there be?

Also, I've read that a suitable pH for these fish is around 7.6-8.4. Our tap water here is about 7.4. If I add coral or non-inert rock, is it going to buffer to pH to what I need, or do I have to worry about it buffering the pH too high?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Ginge]

I have not heard about the last fish on the list but without it you could do 3 of every fish on the list to give you a really good stocking list.

 

[Ferris]

Yes they are all compatibile, although the labs are a lot less aggressive than the rest in your list, not neccessarily a problem but something to consider.

If you get your fish locally, your Ph shouldn't be a problem as your LFS is likely to have the same or very similar to you. If you're concerned though, crushed coral and some good rocks will raise it slightly for you. Whatever you do, don't buy any of the various projects that claim to raise the Ph, whilst they work to some extent, it is extremely difficult to maintain a steady level and Ph swings are deadly to fish.

If you are getting multiple fish of the same species, try and avoid getting more than 1 male, a ratio of 1 male to 3 females tends to work very well.

 

[Michelle1281]

Thanks for the replies.

I am leaning towards the Labs, socolofi, and red zebra.

Is it okay to have only one of a fish species, or should they usually be in groups?
And how would I be able to get a certain m/f ratio? I will probably purchase young fish and I know juvies can be hard to sex...

About how many fish should I have total?

I have 2 Aquaclear power filters... a 50 and 70 (total 500gph.) Would this be enough filtration?

 

[Ferris]

You can keep 1 of each species, which is what i do. You have to be even more careful with the combinations, avoiding the same species and fish of a similar appearance.

If you go for groups, sexing can be difficult when they are juveniles but the existence of egg spots normally indicates males at that age. If you end up with too many males, you should be able to return some to your LFS if problems arise.

Total fish is pretty much a matter of opinion, the general rule is around 15 in a 55 gal but IMO this is too many when they reach adult size. Whilst overstocking is good with these aggressive fish, i think 10-12 is ideal in a 55 gal.

Your filtration should be fine.