Two Male Aulonocara In 90l?

[lgarvey]

Hi,

I have two juvenile aulonocara that I got for a 300L predominantly mbuna tank. I'd had great success with two other aulonocara that I got cocky and put two more in, and they got beat up badly! So I set up an emergency 90L tank that they're in now and I think I'll keep them there and just have a second tank! They seem happy enough!

My question is: would a 90L/24 US gallons (w x l x h) 24" x 12" x 18" with a few rocks be adequate for them to exist long term? Would they start fighting in a tank this size?

I suspect due to their lower aggression levels they would be OK in a tank this size but appreciate feedback from people who know from experience.

I thought that lake malawi mbuna would be easy because they are tough and hardy. But trying to resolve the agression issues has been challenging!

L

 

[Pleccy]

Hello,

While Aulonocara aren't as aggressive as Mbuna two males will probably fight in such a small space once they are fully grown, so I would look at a 36 x 12 x 15" tank as a minimum for two males. I would only keep them in the smaller tank temporarily.

 

[Ferris]

2 male Aulonocara is potentially a problem in any size tank - I had 2 in a 6 footer and they wouldn't leave each other alone and had to be separated.

As with most cichlids, it's pot luck really - your current tank is not big enough IMO but a larger tank is no guarantee of success - it just gives you a better chance.

 

[lgarvey]

OK ... I will take all of this on board and not try to house another male AC in the tank.

I have a situation where I bought two additional peacocks (ACs) for my 300L tank and the main one got viciously attacked and unfortunately died this morning.

I am not going to introduce the other AC into the tank because I want it to live! So now it's the sole inhabitant in a 90L tank.

I must say ... it is one of the most beautiful fish I have seen. The fins are lovely and flowing and it has big eyes and is very inquisitive. I'm totally in love with it.

I don't have room for a larger tank as I am in an apartment, but if it would do OK in a tank this size with something else for company I would keep it. If not, then I will try to find someone else who can take it.

Currently it has tonnes of space in the tank as it's small. Here's the tank with both of them in: http/www.lyndongarvey.co.uk/tanks.jpg

But I know that it will grow much bigger and probably outgrow the 2ft tank.

Any advice is appreciated. Do I get rid, or try to find some tankmates and accomodate? Would I need to upgrade later on... if so how long? Could another male peacock live with it? Or maybe 2 females?

final question: how can you stop getting attached to your fish and loving them to death.

L

 

[Rick A]

Welcome to the world of Malawis... I would advise against keeping Aulonocara males in the same tank. I have been there myself and although they are normally quite peaceful, two males of even different Aulonocara species is just plain old 'fighting talk'. It's quite unnerving how vicious even these fish can be when there is more than one male! With someMalawis, you have to be careful about keeping 'similar' looking fish e.g. Auratus and Johanis are extremely tricky to keep together.

 

[lgarvey]

Yeh, sad. One was killed, the other was returned to the LFS and swapped for some x-ray tetras. I also have had a psychotic auratus trying to exterminate a poor defenceless (but bigger) johanni.

I thought I would steer clear of marine, because of the complexity and apparent hassle and set up an mbuna tank. But I seem to be frequently back in at the LFS trading in new fish that don't work for whatever reason in the tank. Fortunately the tank is ideally stocked and I can just let them grow up together. However people say they are still likely to erupt for no apparent reason, in the future!

They have a lot of personality though, i'll give 'em that! =)

L

 

[Rick A]

I know!
I love them too, but some times its like running a school for delinquents!
They do settle down after a while, but if they suddenly decide to 'kick off' for no apparent reason, you can always try rearranging their 'furniture'. Tends to confuse the territories and calms them down again. Just keep an eye on any squabbles that last for more than twenty four hours, assuming they're still both in one piece, as they can get quite obsessive some times! I ussually manage to distract them out of prolonged fights. Good luck, and 'keep the faith'!

 

[lgarvey]

I seem to have broken a few rules and got away with it, for now at least.


I have a predominantly mbuna tank with psuedotropheus, yellow labs, red zebra, some acei and one male auratus. And I have two male peacocks. The peacocks are actually much bigger than the ~2" mbuna, probably about twice the size, and are in general more dominant too. The most dominant peacock has claimed a rock and shoves everything, including the auratus, off it. It also chases the other peacock but very mildly.

They are both beautiful fish. Love 'em =)

Hopefully the tank won't deteriorate into mass violence later on.

L

 

[kj23502]

Yea...good luck with that

There are a ton of pseudotropheus species so I'm not sure what you're referring to. I've read about auratus staking claim to half a 50 gallon tank. Your tank is a bit bigger than that so you may ok. Only time will tell.


Good luck

Kj