Reccommended tang tank size for newbie

[DJRansome]

My experience and that of others who advised me before and since. I defied the accepted wisdom and stocked both in a 72" tank. The leleupi ended up killing even the adult shellies in their enthusiasm to get the fry. And my bad experience extended to the leleupi killing caudopunctatus as well.

How many years did the others have them together in their tanks?

For me the calvus did well with the leleupi.

 

[J. H.]

How many years did the others have them together in their tanks?

For me the calvus did well with the leleupi.

Björn Vermeulen on youtube claims to have kept them together for 5+ years. I have commented on one of his videos asking about them. He may answer.

Personally, calvus are about as ugly as fish can get. They are the reason I never considered tangs before, fronts that need 150g+ and calvus that could pass as goblins. I thought that was all there was.

 

[J. H.]

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_75g.php
look at the tang suggestions - shellies with leleupi. Are all these pople leading me to kill my fish?
Don't get me wrong. If I don't think I can keep a fish comfortably, I won't keep it at all. It's just I'm confused. Even in this thread, the first response was "go ahead.", and then, "NO!"
Please enlighten me.

 

[stempy]

Well, to make it clear as mud there's lots of variables. The tank size, setup, decor and of course individual fish personalities all contribute. So just because something works or doesn't work for someone else doesn't mean it will or won't for you.

 

[J. H.]

Well, to make it clear as mud there's lots of variables. The tank size, setup, decor and of course individual fish personalities all contribute. So just because something works or doesn't work for someone else doesn't mean it will or won't for you.

We are looking at a 4 foot 90 gallon tank being set up special for these fish. I realized that I have room to put some old HOBs I have on either side of the tank, for approximately 300gph of filtration. (this is less than what I have on my 55...), maybe more if I can get some other HOBs I have to work. I kayak in a lake sometimes that on one side has an area <4ft deep 300ft x 150ft and covered in freshwater snail shells (almost like Tanganiyaka ), with openings from <0.1" to 2" in diameter, so shells won't be a problem. I can build cave complexes for the leleupi, add tons plants for cover, maybe add more dithers besides the cryptochromis.
I am asking for help designing this tank and making it work. Any comments, suggestions or tips would be great. I want to hear about experience and real knowledge, stuff you can't get from a Google search.

 

[DJRansome]

We will take a look at the cookie cutter tank. All I can tell you is I was advised not to stock them...I did it anyway because of the color...and exactly what was predicted to happen did happen. It was not immediate, but over a period of 2 years the leleupi were fine and the shellies and caudopunctatus did not thrive.

I'm talking about the usual shellies...brevis, multifasciatus, etc. Maybe some of the larger more aggressive ones would work in a large tank.

Funny calvus are my absolute favorite...that tribal look with the big teeth!

 

[J. H.]

We will take a look at the cookie cutter tank. All I can tell you is I was advised not to stock them...I did it anyway because of the color...and exactly what was predicted to happen did happen. It was not immediate, but over a period of 2 years the leleupi were fine and the shellies and caudopunctatus did not thrive.

What was the tank setup? How much cover? How many shells? The real problems began when the leleupi matured? Am I just getting carried away and hoping I can make something work that won't?

 

[Wiggie]

Maybe I'll set up a 10g for the shellies on my desk and put shellies in there. What else can I keep with leulupi that look as nice as cryps? can I keep plants with them? Agaon, how much gph do I need?

I kept L. Occelatus shellies for a while. I loved them and they show more color (for a shellie) than multis. I would try to get a hold of them (Gold Occelatus are awesome too) and put them in a 20 long. This size tank is perfect if you want to do a colony, which WILL breed so you'll need the room. Not saying a 10 isn't enough, but a 20 long was my favorite for this species. Also, i kept leptosomas once and they were difficult. They are awesome, but do need a long tank where they can swim for days.

 

[J. H.]

As for the 20, hows two tens? I have two tens but would need to buy a twenty. I have a four foot ninety gallon and possible plans to build a 12' 370+ gallon tank this summer, so I am not worried about swimming room. I also can't afford $700 to stock that 12' tank, so a fish that swims around a lot would be great.