Ok, I had an african tank many years ago and it was sort of like the movie Highlander - "There can be only one!". Eventually someone would kill everything else off (keep in mind this was only a 55). So my question is, do you have tanks where your fish are multiple years old and stable, or are you replacing fish on a consistent basis? What is the secret to a stable long lived community?
African Cichlid Longevity...
- Thread starter kmiii1
- Start date
I've had several Cichlids live together for 5+ years. The secret is a big tank and lotsa hiding spots. Longer tanks are usually better than taller tanks because it give the fish a larger area for territories as most cichlids are bottom dwellers for the most part.
I have a 55 gallon african tank that has been stable for around 4 years now. The only movement of fish in and out of tanks is for breeding and overpopulation. The first year i lost a few fish to aggression, but i havent lost any in the last 3 years.
As for the key to keeping a stable community - few fish species and lots of each species. Pairs arent going to cut it. Ideally, you want either one of a species or at least five, with as few males as possible (one). The other thing is that they generally do best slightly overcrowded, but with frequent, large water changes and a powerful filter. A long, wide tank is best, as you want more surface area. I would give 25 gallons of water per species if you have groups of them (5 - 7 individuals). Generally, you could also put a single fish of another species in their as well. However, you need at LEAST a 40 gallon tank to house africans at all. For example, i have a 55 gallon, with a single bumblebee cichlid, a single chipokae cichlid, a group of orange zebras, and a group of yellow labs. This mix has worked out well, and follows the guide line i posted earlier. For all africans, lots of rocks are a must
As for the key to keeping a stable community - few fish species and lots of each species. Pairs arent going to cut it. Ideally, you want either one of a species or at least five, with as few males as possible (one). The other thing is that they generally do best slightly overcrowded, but with frequent, large water changes and a powerful filter. A long, wide tank is best, as you want more surface area. I would give 25 gallons of water per species if you have groups of them (5 - 7 individuals). Generally, you could also put a single fish of another species in their as well. However, you need at LEAST a 40 gallon tank to house africans at all. For example, i have a 55 gallon, with a single bumblebee cichlid, a single chipokae cichlid, a group of orange zebras, and a group of yellow labs. This mix has worked out well, and follows the guide line i posted earlier. For all africans, lots of rocks are a must
Frostyone;1855331; said:
Longer tanks are great for MBuna, but PEacocks and Haps tend to enjoy open water so taller tanks can be good for them...
I know someone who has a Jacob Freibergi which is 18 years old. It is nearing its end though.
If you keep the fish in a large enough tank and you can keep the fighting in the tank down your fish will grow a lot older
If you keep the fish in a large enough tank and you can keep the fighting in the tank down your fish will grow a lot older
I have found good water conditons, tank size, and tankmates are all equally important. For example you can have a six foot long tank and if you have a large male johanni thats hyper aggrssive in with some less aggressive species such as yellow labs or acei they are likely to be killed even in a six foot tank. Research the fish you buy really good before you purchase. I had a totally peaceful tank till i rescued 3 fish from the LFS, i was very happy that they were free and thought i got a good deal until they killed a couple fish and had to be seperated from each other etc...I ended up trading all my mbuna to a member here and found out that those rescue fish eventually killed all the mbuna in that tank in a couple weeks. Turned out not to be such a great deal after all. That would not have happened if i had researched, turned out two of them were a highly aggressive species.
The deathmatch tanks usually occur from random stocking with the misc and hybrid mbuna and peacocks you often see at the chain petstores.Careful selection and rockwork and there is no reason for a bloodbath.
It's been 16 years or so, but I know we had some zebras, an Acei and a blue Johannii (very agressive). It was probably the mix... Reading through the threads here makes me feel like I could pull off a successful tank at this point...kay-bee;1866539; said: