Stocking Suggestions

[dthoffsett]

I'm in the planning stages for a new tank. It's going to be a 55 gallon (48" long), with a Fluval 404 (350gph), and your standard heaters, rocks, sand, etc. I have a 29gal w/5 yellow labs and a bristlenose pleco. (Please no complaints about the smaller tank, it's been running for almost a year w/good success, though I wouldn't recommend going that small.)

So I'll be moving the 5 labs (1 male 4 females) and the bristlenose to the new tank, and I would also like to add a new species or two, plus a trio of pim pictus. I've been to the pet shop and below is a list of what they have that I like, I've done some research, but I would appreciate some recommendations of what 1 or two species to pick and the number I should have. I'm aware that all the ones listed are very aggressive (that's fine with me), and should be kept w/only one male to several females. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks. Dawn

Metriaclima Zebra - listed as Pseudotrophes Zebra & Red finned albino zebra
Metriaclima greshaki - listed as Ice Blue Zebra (really liked the look of these guys)
Metriaclima estherae - listed as Red Zebra (I realize they will possibly cross breed w/the labs, however
I have no intention of keeping or selling any fry so I'm not
to concerned.)
Pseudotropheus crabro - listed as Bumble Bee cichlid (also very attractive)

 

[Ginge]

In the 55g with what you will already have in there with teh 3 pictus you are looking at around a miximum of 8-10 more, providing you stock sensibly with lots of hiding places ect. You are also overfiltering alot do that is very good.
With the fish you could probalbly do 2 species with 1M:3F and with the more agressive ones a single fish.
Maybe you could ask the shop to get you in some other ones. For a single fish with none others of its species a demasoni would be a nice colour contrast in there.
But you may want to varafi what i have said with somone like ferris or fredykk.

 

[Ferris]

Tank and everything sounds great and don't worry about your 29 gal, yes its pretty much the minimum but you only have labs in there so no real problem.

I would say that all the fish you have listed are compatible in the right ratio's, preferably 3 females to 1 male of each species or single specemins of each.

There are many zebra morphs, the albino's (with yellow fins) are gorgeous fish but surprisingly mild tempered and can be bullied by other Mbuna.

Greshakei - also stunning and one of my favourites but fish labeled as ice blue zebra's are usually Maylandia Callainos so be careful to check what it is you are actually buying. Callainos are also great fish but remain blue all over.

Estherae (red zebra) - Very different to labs and will not interbreed, pretty high on the aggression scale but we are talking Mbuna so aggression is always an issue. Again a stunner.

Crabro - a much maligned species in my opinion, too readily written off as hyper aggressive. I have kept various fish of this species, male and female, and have never had any problems. My current crabro (female) is the most docile of all my Mbuna. They do grow unusually large for Mbuna and can reach 8 inches.

Like i said, sounds like your LFS are a bit "iffy" with their labeling so just be careful but it all sounds good so far.

 

[dthoffsett]

Thanks for your help everyone. I've decided on the greshakei and the estherae, w/possible 1 male crabro, not sure about him yet though. I have just a few more questions. What is the difference between the males and females in the juvenile/sub adult stage on the greshakei and estherae? Of the estherae that my lfs stocks, the adults range in the very pale to very bright orange w/egg spots, and the juveniles/sub adults are also in that color range along w/a couple of I believe OB's, they are very pale orange w/a blue sheen over their whole bodies, also all w/eggs spots. I'd like to try to get the mix right w/o have to return any if possible.

Also, I did a fishless cycle w/my current tank, I've never had multiple tanks before (I believe I have officially caught MTS), but if I've done my research correct I can run the filter for the new 55gal on my current tank for a couple of weeks, and I'm planing on moving the sand to the new tank (with more sand added obviously), so will that instantly cycle me? And will I be safe adding all 8 new fish @ once? I'm planning on waiting a couple of months for the tank to mature before adding the pleco and pim picuts. Does that sound ok?

Again, thank you everyone for your help. I have no idea how I'm going to be able to wait a couple of months to buy everything!

 

[Ferris]

Lots of egg spots is a pretty sure sign of a male. Females can and do have egg spots but normally only 1 or 2.

A mature filter will instantly cycle a tank, although i'd still stock it gradually. Sand/Gravel from a mature tank will do very little in terms of cycling, it will just start the process.