Thinking Of Changing From Tropical Community To Mbuna Or Tanganyikan

[Squidward]

I think I may have to look at putting my Clown plec into my 35L tank instead then, it`s just as well he`s only small

I keep finding differing opinions on Sandstone and Limestone....some sites say Sandstone is ok but Limestone isn`t and vice versa.....my bloody head is spinning!!

I think I`m going to have to pay a visit to my local B&Q tomorrow to see what they have, because the last thing I want to do is to set the tank up one way to find out that it`s really wrong and may put the fish` health at risk

Either that or I`m just going to have to bite the bullet and opt for some 25kg sacks of Ocean Rock off ebay........might get slapped wrists for that though

Don't quote me on this but there is a flickering in the fog that is what's left of my memory I think if the tap water is soft it will eventually dissolve the sandstone, I think this can eventually go into the fishes system or gills? Causing all sorts of problems. Sound plausible ? I think if you put some vinegar on the rock and it bubbles or fizzes then there is cause for concern, like I said I'm not 100% on this I just vaguely remember reading something like that when I was trying to find out about keeping shell dwellers, sorry I can't help more than that. Safe bet would be Ocean rock I suppose. How much for 25kg on flea bay ? I think The Green Machine , The Planted Box , Aqua Essentials , Zooplus all courier it out to you but you do get some good deals on the old flea bay
P.S. If anyone reading this knows where to source Metro (metronidazole) could you let me know, it's one of the many hurdles I have run into also

I am not sure if sandstone is any good. Don't see why not.
But limestone is fine. If it bubbles and fizzes, it contains calcium carbonate. This is actually something you want as it will increase the ph and hardness of the water.

If memory serves me corrct, any type of rock is ok, as long as it doesn't contain any metals. As these could rust/leach and poison the water.

 

[elisew]

Well I just thought "Bu**er it" and have bought this:
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390161172308&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_780wt_907

and 75kgs of this:
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170563103416&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_1894wt_1141

I`m not prepared to take the risk of using the Sandstone. I really, really appreciate hubby going out and getting it for me but I think it`s more sensible to get the setup right first time otherwise it`s going to just cost me more in the long run. If anyone else is confident enough to use the Sandstone then they`ll be welcome to it.

Sooo, once the Egg crates and Rocks arrive I just need to look at sorting my fish out with new homes or lfs then I can make a start on the new Malawi setup

Oooh, just found out another African Cichlid, which you probably know about but whatever. What about Yellow Labs

They`re already on my list Carl


I know I keep asking but does anyone have any experience of the fish I`ve listed previously?

 

[Carlovel1]

Found another fish for you lisa, what about Zebra Tilapia

 

[bullit]

Well I just thought "Bu**er it" and have bought this:
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390161172308&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_780wt_907

and 75kgs of this:
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170563103416&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_1894wt_1141

I`m not prepared to take the risk of using the Sandstone. I really, really appreciate hubby going out and getting it for me but I think it`s more sensible to get the setup right first time otherwise it`s going to just cost me more in the long run. If anyone else is confident enough to use the Sandstone then they`ll be welcome to it.

Sooo, once the Egg crates and Rocks arrive I just need to look at sorting my fish out with new homes or lfs then I can make a start on the new Malawi setup

Oooh, just found out another African Cichlid, which you probably know about but whatever. What about Yellow Labs

They`re already on my list Carl


I know I keep asking but does anyone have any experience of the fish I`ve listed previously?

err no lol

 

[Always Learning]

Blue Zebra - Quite aggressive by all accounts and territorial. Nice looker though.
Albino Zebra - Same as above, although mine was a demon. It went in the tank at 1.5" as was instantly taking on the big ones.
Dwarf Afra - Depends on what one, though temperment wise, they're all fairly similar and on the lower end of the aggression scale. Nice size and some stunning colours. Take a look at the Cobue for example. My eldest male is starting to colour up now and I can't wait.
Yellow Peacock - Mixing peacocks is done, though I would advise against it. Different diet and although they can stick up for themselves somewhat, they can't match the majority of mbuna and tend to get their fins ripped up a bit, or even more.
Yellow Labs (labelled as Daktari? in MA) - Daktari are a different fish to what's known as a Yellow Lab. Mid range, aggression wise. Not overly territorial . Females are a dull beige colour and not overly attractive.
Lombardoi - Avoid! Readily available but can destroy a tank on it's own. Same as the Auratus.. don't fall for their pretty looks and save yourself a lot of hassle and expense.
Fire Red Dragon - Guessing it is a peacock. Hybrid? Same applies for your Yellow Peacock.
Borleyi - These things can get big and chunky in an Aquarium. I actually have one at the moment, although I shouldn't have... only short term though whilst a friend sorts out his tank. It's the biggest in my tank by a mile at around 9", but scared of it's own shadow. I believe they are carnivores too, so again, it's best not to mix them with mbuna. You can try and cater for both, but you try stop mbuna eating anything. They're on food quicker than flies on....

My brief take on your list. Sorry, don't have much time, but if you need anything else, by all means ask.

 

[elisew]

Thank you Always Learning

Right, I`m in a bit of a tizzy......I seem to be back to that dithering stage after reading around about the Malawi in general.
It appears that there may be too much aggression associated with the stocking I was looking at so.......the Tangs may well be a possibility again but it will all depend on whether or not I can mix stock with those Tangs that are known to be pretty low on aggression

I really want to get it right before I end up with a tank full of Ocean rock and nothing else because of not being sure

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Perhaps doresy (who lives not far from me near Eastleigh, by the way, although I've not met him) could guide you through his hands-on knowledge of Tangs and perhaps show you his setup?

My very limited knowledge of Tangs suggests that Cyprichromis are not only very colourful, but also quite peaceful, so its whether they need more open water than a 360l can provide. "nmonks" has suggested them in a thread on the forum to someone in a community setup centred around fish outside the Rift Valley lakes.

What dimensions is your 360l?

 

[elisew]

doresy has already said Tangs get his vote over the Malawis any day

The dimensions of my tank are 55" length X 16" depth X 27" height and working that out on the forum calculator its a bigger tank than I thought, 389L, 103USG

My problem is that I like the 'prettier' looking Tangs such as the Brichardi but they`re more aggressive than I think I would like to be honest, so it`s a bit all over the place now

I would like to have nice coloured, mildly aggressive IF that`s at all possible?

 

[doresy]

Knew you would come around in the end Funnily enough I have just returned from the son in law's and I see that he has fired up his his 90lt to house some of his casualties from the large tank of Malawis.

Keeping Tanganyikans is a very different approach than keeping Malawis. Don't be fooled though, Tangs are no lightweights when it comes to scrapping, especially when fry are about.

First thing they say about keeping Malawis is to slightly overstock which is meant to cut down on aggression. This is because each one will try to carve out a territory but when there are so many they tend to give up. You will, however, get one or two who have not read the rule book and set about trying to clearing the whole tank. That coupled with all the rock work will produce many casualties and a tank full of fish resembling a washing machine. Once skilled I am sure results can be produced.

Tanganyikans will also carve out a territory but if you over stock they will die. Instead you should stock sensible numbers and try to provide little separate areas. Now, anybody who knows me would say that I don't always follow the rules but having said that it's still important to know what they are. For instance, Lake Tanganyika is a very old, very deep and therefore very stable environment both in chemistry and temperature. For that reason it is suggested that very frequent yet very low volume(10%) water changes are done so that the stock do not experience sudden changes of temperature or ph. values. Well, I do fortnightly, 50% waterchanges and have done so for years without loss.......I do, however, pay special attention to matching the temperature and my fish have been conditioned to the same ph as out of my tap.

Then there is my stock. I try it, if it doesn't work I change it. What I have now works, (I even have a Malawi in there!) Of course I know the Fronts, the Common Plec and the Synos will eventually out grow the tank but they will be replaced. Unless you particularly want to breed it should be avoided. I have seen Brichardi with fry take over three quarters of a tank as territory! My Julis breed continuously without a problem however.

A great tip is to arrange your rocks in a way that breaks up the line of sight then change it about when you do water changes so territory changes stopping any fish staking too much of a claim.

That's all for now but trust me, Cichlids are one of the most interesting fish to keep and in my opinion (if you hadn't guessed it already) Tanganyikans are the more rewarding.

Stay in touch if you follow the yellow tang' road, if not then it's been fun!

 

[elisew]

Thanks doresy, really appreciate the advice

The wc concept doesn`t phase me because with the community I have now I always temp match and usually do at least a 30-40% weekly change anyway.

So, after looking at the following fish profiles would these be ok for a Tang setup (obviously not all of them) and what numbers should I be looking at in the tank size I have?
I would like to possibly have 1 Brichardi (of some sort) in the tank if possible

Cyprichromis leptosoma Mpulungu(mildly aggressive)
Cyprichromis leptosoma Utinta (mildly aggressive)
Cyprichromis sp. "Leptosoma Goldfin" (mildly Aggressive)
Cyprichromis microlepidotus Bulu Pt. (mildly aggressive)
Cyprichromis microlepidotus Magara (mildly aggressive)
Cyprichromis zonatus (mildly aggressive)
Cyprichromis zonatus Chituta (mildly aggressive)

Cyprichromis microlepidotus (Mabilibili) (mildly aggressive)

Paracyprichromis brieni Kitumba (mildly aggressive)
Paracyprichromis nigripinnis Albino (mildly aggressive)
Paracyprichromis nigripinnis (Chituta) (mildly aggressive)
Paracyprichromis nigripinnis (Kambwimba) (mildly aggressive)

And possibly something along the lines of 1X:
Blue Zaire Moba Frontosa

 

[Squidward]

Thanks doresy, really appreciate the advice

The wc concept doesn`t phase me because with the community I have now I always temp match and usually do at least a 30-40% weekly change anyway.

So, after looking at the following fish profiles would these be ok for a Tang setup (obviously not all of them) and what numbers should I be looking at in the tank size I have?
I would like to possibly have 1 Brichardi (of some sort) in the tank if possible

Cyprichromis leptosoma Mpulungu(mildly aggressive)
Cyprichromis leptosoma Utinta (mildly aggressive)
Cyprichromis sp. "Leptosoma Goldfin" (mildly Aggressive)
Cyprichromis microlepidotus Bulu Pt. (mildly aggressive)
Cyprichromis microlepidotus Magara (mildly aggressive)
Cyprichromis zonatus (mildly aggressive)
Cyprichromis zonatus Chituta (mildly aggressive)

Cyprichromis microlepidotus (Mabilibili) (mildly aggressive)

Paracyprichromis brieni Kitumba (mildly aggressive)
Paracyprichromis nigripinnis Albino (mildly aggressive)
Paracyprichromis nigripinnis (Chituta) (mildly aggressive)
Paracyprichromis nigripinnis (Kambwimba) (mildly aggressive)

Haps and Peacocks are less aggressive than Mbuna.
Have you thought of a male only tank?

 

[elisew]

I hadn`t to be honest, IF I`d gone with the Malawi Route then I would have looked at majoritively female

I completely forgot to add Tang shell dwellers that I like the look of to the list too
Lamprologus' brevis (M'toto)
'Lamprologus' calliurus (Moliro)
Lamprologus' multifasciatus
'Lamprologus' multifasciatus (Mbita)
'Lamprologus' similis
Neolamprologus signatus

All mildly aggressive by all accounts?

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Just seen this ad in the Hampshire section, complete with adult photos...
http/www.aquarist-...l100_153598.php

Hope this helps and does not make things even more murky!

 

[elisew]

Just seen this ad in the Hampshire section, complete with adult photos...
http/www.aquarist-...l100_153598.php

Hope this helps and does not make things even more murky!

Yeah thanks for that Goat....Not!!

 

[kiriyama]

2 Tang suggestions

1 (similiar to doresy)
1/2 Neolamprolous Leleuipi
1/2 Neolamprologus Caudopunctatus
1/2 Neolamprolgus Brichardi
1/2/3/4/ Julidochromis Regani (the yellow ones )
Small group of Cyps and your Plecs
That would give you lots of activity on all your ocean rock, a colourful active tank

2 Simple Community
Shell dweller Neolamprologus Multifasciatus x6
Rock Dweller Julidochromis Transcriptus or Dickfleidi x3 or 4
I'm sure you could have Cyps on the top and open water column
And your Plecs

Simples