Another experienced noob

[Dominuslive]

I currently have MTS, and was thinking of doing a Tang tank. I personally like the n. leleupi, and would probab,y consider this the main species incorporated in the tank. What are compatible tankmates that would incorporate different niches, i.e., Leleupi is a cave spawner, now what substrate spawner, shoaling upper lvl, and algae eater are compatible with proposed fish. Pics would be greatly appreciated, along with scientific and common names. Also a good place to buy? Also tank size would be 75+

 

[Dominuslive]

ANY ONE?

 

[Ash]

depends on what you like. Really you can put anything with them as long as its a mild fish and not to agressive, but dont put in anything that cant defend itself either. If you plan on breeding them though, then you are best to make it a species only tank. Do you have any ideas on what you want to add?

 

[Dominuslive]

So far the only ideas I have is cyprichromis leptosoma. Which is a shoaling species. I am looking for tangs, and I have never had any, so do not know much about them or their behavior, or what will tolerate eachothers presence. So you could say I was hoping for a list of tangs that would be compatible, to go through and pick which I prefer. Like species of dither/target fish, other niche cichlids. Where I am at info is not readily available on Tangs, other then the internet, and we all know how daunting that can be if you don't know what you want. I am considering a transition zone aquarium, where one side will be stacked with rocks and caves, and the other side would be open sand with val in small patches. Any and all ideas for fish that fall in these catagories will be greatly appreciated. I just want a list to go by, and then I can research and decide upon the fish I want.

Also, if I get a pair bond out of any of the fish, I can move them to another breeding tank.

 

[Dominuslive]

Here are some more of the Tangs that I like. If anyone can tell me which are most compatible, I would appreciate it.

Chalinochromis ndobhoi

Julidochromis regani

Cyathopharynx foai

Cyathopharynx furcifer

Julidochromis dickfeldi

Julidochromis marlieri

Neolamprologus brichardi

Tropheus moorii "Nkonde"

Telmatochromis vittatus

Then we can talk numbers

 

[Ash]

I'll run through those later and let you know about them and how many and I will see what else I can find that is compatable and list them for you, but I gotta go to work in less than an hour so I cant do it right now. I try look it up for you later - I may have some ideas. =)

 

[Ash]

Chalinochromis ndobhoi - yes - requires rock work

Julidochromis regani - yes - requires rock work

Cyathopharynx foai - can be agressive so not suggested
<--These both like to be king of the tanks-->
Cyathopharynx furcifer - can also be agressive so wouldnt suggest either

Julidochromis dickfeldi - no and also cant be kept with other julies

Julidochromis marlieri - will be ok as long as there is lot of rock work

Neolamprologus brichardi - not so sure some can be more agressive, while others do fine in community tanks - these you might have to play around with.

Tropheus moorii "Nkonde" - no, I wouldnt put any tropheus in your tank.

Telmatochromis vittatus - yup, just make sure the have snail shells or lots of rock work

Neolamprologus leleupi is also another option..

I will look up some more later for you.

 

[straitjacketstar]

For a 75gl tank of Tanganyikans that would feature N. leleupi I would stick to fish that could hold their own with N. leleupi.
The Cyathopharynx are not too aggressive, their issues lie in territory and dominance. they require large tanks for their active habits, large nests and are usually kept in species tanks as they are easily outranked and subdominant featherfins never show off their full splendor.
With leleupi in a 75gl tank I would opt for a second rockdweller, one of the larger Julies and none smaller than dickfeldi which means dickfeldi, marlieri (no dwarf forms) and regani. Chalinochromis sp. would also hold their own as they can also be quite territorial.
I'd be weary of keeping shelldwellers with leleupi since leleupi are reputed to be accomplished shell predators. The vitattus, though spunky and charming, are long and thin and females could easily fit in an adult leleupi's mouth. IME they're not aggressive enough to hold their own. Lamprologus ocellatus on the other hand, might just prove bulldoggy enough to stand their ground. Unlike my vitattus, my occies never hesitated to attack my hand when it entered their water, unlike the vits who duck for cover.
With Tropheus sp. you have a difference in food requirements and are thus incompatible with the more omnivorous/piscivorous/planktivorous/carnivorous/insectivorous lamprologines you are looking into.
I would consider any fairy type (N. brichardi, pulcher, splendens, gracilis, savoryi, marunguensis) carefully. They can turn increasingly aggressive as their population grows, and it grows quickly(!) and slowly take over the aquarium with their increasing numbers. Some tankmates can keep fry numbers in check. For this some folks often employ some Altolamprologus or torpedo shaped fry predator. They hang around the colony's territory and snatch up fry wherever they can. For some folks even this is not enough and have to opt for periodical tear-downs of the aquarium to clear out excess fairy's and keep the colony numbers (and aggression) in check.
As for Cyps, I think some Utinta's would be very nice a group of about 12-14 is fair, weeding out extra males as the pop up and replacing them with females.
A 75 with two pairs of rockdwellers (at opposite ends) and a shoal of Cyps for the open area in between IMO would be perfect.

 

[Dominuslive]

I am thinking Leleupi, Chalinochromis ndobhoi, Bricardi, cyprichromis leptosoma..
Any thoughts? Concerns? And if you can think of any reputible dealers who stock all of these fish, let me know plz.

 

[straitjacketstar]

I am thinking Leleupi, Chalinochromis ndobhoi, Bricardi, cyprichromis leptosoma..
Any thoughts? Concerns? And if you can think of any reputible dealers who stock all of these fish, let me know plz.

I think this might work, if you do only a pair of the leleupi, a pair of the ndobnoi and a single brichardi. The cyps are fine too, just stay away from any of the jumbo types. They need much more space than a 75gal offers.