310 gal Compatibility/Stocking Question

[cockroach]

My 310 gal sprung a huge leak a week ago and was drained. The fish in it were moved to another tank and I have decided I might keep them there and stock the 310gal (210cm x 67cm x 88cm) with Africans. I do not want an all mbuna tank, or all peacock tank or even an all Malawi tank. I ahve beeen doing a bit of research and come up with a list I want and wanted to know for you guys what you think.

Now I know that it may seem insane but the tank is large, filtration is more than adequate and different areas will exist for different species. See image below. Here is a list I am looking at putting in my tank with my comments next to them:

[FONT=&quot]Malawi (I chose what I have READ to be the more peaceful mbuna)
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Cyrtocara moorii 5-6[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Dimidiochromis Compressiceps 6 (I know these are big and eat smaller fish but they will be used to control fry)
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Sciaenochromis Ahli 4-6
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Cynotilapia Afra 10[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Iodotropheus sprengerae 8[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Labidochromis Caeruleus 20[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Labidochromis Flavigulis 4[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Labidochromis Zebroides 6[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Pseudotropheus Socolofi 8[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Sciaenochromis fryeri 4[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Tanganyika[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Julidochromis Regani 2 (I can live without these but have always wanted some)
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Neolamprologus Brichardi 2 groups(I love these and really want them)
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Victoria[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Astatotilapia Latifasciata 6 (not sure if these will work but have seen them in African tanks before)
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Other[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Jewel Cichlid 6 (These should be able to hold their own??)
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Cleaners[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Synodontis Eruptus 2[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Synodontis perticola 6[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]What do guys think?
[/FONT]

 

[Mokujin22]

I think it should work in a tank that size. The mbuna will probably interbreed, but in a tank that big, pulling holding mothers and stripping fry is not practical and you have the ahli and comps to take care of that issue. (Scianochromis fryeri/Hap ahli are the same/very similar fish - true ahli aren't imported)

Only things I would look out for are the jewels getting harassed by more aggressive tankmates (mostly mbuna, possible the Tangs) and the compressiceps eating the leuloupi. Not sure if this will happen, but I've seen 12" comps before with giant mouths.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[GVerde]

You could also try an all male predator tank of one species of each. I have a 220g with all male peacocks and predator haps. I have a N. Venusus, N. Fusco, D. Kwinge, Rhampochromis, Fossie, S. Fryeri, Red Empress, Protomalas Insignus, P. Milomo VC10, Moori, & S. Spilostichus. I have been looking for a Buccochromis Rhodesi to finish my hap selection but they are expensive and hard to find as a young male. I am probably going to need a 300g plus once these bad boys grow to maturity.

 

[cockroach]

Mokujin- With that many fish in that size tank do you think the jewels will get harrassed that much? There will be a lot of rock work and open space. Also, I will not be housing any leuloupi, did you mean the brichardi? I was worried about them being wiped out but thought I would start them in the tank a while before adding the larger predators to give them a chance to settle find hiding places and start a colony.

Gverde- Thanks for the suggestion. But I am really looking for a tank of mixed fish. I would love to see some pictures of your set up though.

 

[Mokujin22]

Mokujin- With that many fish in that size tank do you think the jewels will get harrassed that much? There will be a lot of rock work and open space. Also, I will not be housing any leuloupi, did you mean the brichardi? I was worried about them being wiped out but thought I would start them in the tank a while before adding the larger predators to give them a chance to settle find hiding places and start a colony.

Yeah, sorry meant brichardi. They're hardy and very feisty for their size, but don't get more than 2.5"-3" long. I guess enough cave work would do them good. Worth a shot, right?

As for the jewels, large Malawi cichlids are good at picking out the weakest fish and pestering them to death. I inherited a very large jewel (6" or so) and tried him in multiple different African setups. Too meek to go in my 180 with the big boys, same with the 150 (with fish slightly smaller than him). Ended up destroying significantly smaller Malawi cichlids in the medium-sized tanks. Because of this, he spent the rest of his days by himself in a 20H. This is the only one I've ever kept, so not sure if he is the exception.

Again, you could give it a shot and let them grow up together.... around here, you can't give jewels away as they breed like rabbits. I assume it would be the same around any other fish club. So if you can get them cheap, what the heck, right?

Good luck and post up pics when you get things ramped up.

 

[cockroach]

It's going to be a short while before I get things up and running. Just want to plan now and then work.

 

[cockroach]

I have decided against the D. compressiceps. I think I might try some venutus instead.

Getting the tank reseal this afternoon.

 

[cockroach]

A guy came over last night to reseal the leak. He re-enforced it with an extra 2 glass rods so it would never split there again.

Cost me US$ 50 to have him come to my place out of town and seal it. Bargain I reckon.

Will post the 'action' pic in a bit when I get back to my own pc.

 

[ahfu25]

A guy came over last night to reseal the leak. He re-enforced it with an extra 2 glass rods so it would never split there again.

Cost me US$ 50 to have him come to my place out of town and seal it. Bargain I reckon.

Will post the 'action' pic in a bit when I get back to my own pc.

Sounds like bargain to me!! Good luck with your new tank...post pics please!!!

 

[cockroach]

Here is a shot of the guy in the tank sealing it. and a shot of the bio media I have in the sump. Will be washing it and cleaning everything properly before starting again.