I know that African Cichlids get too big for a 29g tank. I will be setting up my 55g tank (already bought) when i have more room in my new apartment in July (lease already signed). My question is this...is this tank big enough to grow up some African Cichlids? If so, how many? Which ones stay the smallest so that there are less issues? Thanks for your time!
29g starter tank?
- Thread starter rudywieck52
- Start date
Pseudotropheus saulosi stay small enough for a 29. Males are blue and the females are yellowish color.
You could probably keep 10-12 saulosi in a 29 since they're smaller, and they'd be perfectly happy in the 29.
In a 55 you could keep pretty much any mbuna you want. Again about 10-12 as most get to be about 5 inches. Yellow labs are good starters because they're not as aggressive as others.
If you're for sure getting the 55, get a bunch of 1-2 inch fry and keep them in the 29 until you get the 55.
In a 55 you could keep pretty much any mbuna you want. Again about 10-12 as most get to be about 5 inches. Yellow labs are good starters because they're not as aggressive as others.
If you're for sure getting the 55, get a bunch of 1-2 inch fry and keep them in the 29 until you get the 55.
I have 10 cichlids in my 150! The Pseudotropheus saulosi get up to 3-4", which anymore than 2, maybe 3 will be too much for a 29. You may be OK with 4, 5 maybe 6 in your 55 if you run multiple filters and vow to commit yourself to a steady water change regiment. Six 6" cichlids will be too much though! You'll need some rocks, caves, etc to allow them to set up territories.
I do agree that you might want to get some fry now and grow them out until July.
Just my opinion...
Good luck!
I do agree that you might want to get some fry now and grow them out until July.
Just my opinion...
Good luck!
It sounds like they may grow a little fast for my idea...Maybe I'll just be better off taking down my 29g and not keeping fish until i have room to set up my 55g.
No! Get fish 
Just start slow and research before buying too much. I am not that far away from you and our club (MCA) has an Iowa chapter. They are having a meeting in Altoona this week-end even. I can provide you info if you're interested.
If things get too big, too quick, I can always house them for you until you get your 55 set up.
Just start slow and research before buying too much. I am not that far away from you and our club (MCA) has an Iowa chapter. They are having a meeting in Altoona this week-end even. I can provide you info if you're interested.
If things get too big, too quick, I can always house them for you until you get your 55 set up.
Ya I'll have to check out the MCA as I only live about 20 minutes from Altoona. Thanks for the info everybody!
They don't grow all that fast. CLDarnell is being overly conservative in my opinion. With mbuna, (not peacocks or haps) you can have 10 in a 55 without any problems. A couple hang on the back filters, and monthly (or so) water changes. Not a big deal. They're very easy fish to care for.
I wasn't being conservative, I was being pretty liberal actually. With the general label "mbuna", the TL can be anywhere from 3" to 8"! Let's say you put in 10 5" long fish. That's 50" of fish in a 4 square foot area! You're right, it would work...once the dominants in the tank eliminate the submissives, there will be plenty of room.
Not many on this forum believe in the "1 inch per gallon" rule of thumb. Most all are very much against over-crowding. And I assume everyone here would rather a fish thrive in it's environment versus just surviving.
Again, I have 10 Cichlids in a 150 with 2 AC110s and a Rena XP4...and I feel like I am pushing the limit.
Not many on this forum believe in the "1 inch per gallon" rule of thumb. Most all are very much against over-crowding. And I assume everyone here would rather a fish thrive in it's environment versus just surviving.
Again, I have 10 Cichlids in a 150 with 2 AC110s and a Rena XP4...and I feel like I am pushing the limit.
From my experience there's less aggression if you stock heavy. It doesn't mean your wrong, but it's not the only way. Mbuna come from waters with a lot of fish per square foot. It's not being cruel to the fish, it's what they're used to. So long as you keep the water clean.