D.Comp...now what?

[azazal]

I had a dream to make a 75G tang community tank..after much reading i decided to go with comp/calves group , small school of cyps , a julie or 2 and a couple syndots

have a 36g bow front so 6 months ago went to the "best" LFS in my area and asked if he could get me 6 comp/calves...logic being they are slow growers and i would grow out in small tank take best breeding pair or trio and trade rest to friends..anyways i told the moron lake Tanganyika about 10 times in discussion said he would order 6 but didn't know type...i didn't care there all cool to me...so i get there as van arrives from airport and take them before he can put in his tanks ..EPIC FAIL..the water had blue stuff in it so i couldn't make out color and they were small but i could tell they were comps...

well there Malawi Eye-biter Dimidiochromis compressiceps..

so my 75 is up (stand not finished)

[FONT=arial,verdana,helvetica]i currently have 1 male and 3 females in there..biggest is 4 inch...they have unsuccessfully spawned once ( male missed i think) interesting to watch..Anyways back to the post...now what? 75g wont be big enough for them ...male and a runt are still in 36g...i wont go back to LFS hes a moron and wont do business with him...should i try and give them away? i got one friend locally but hes only got 55 and 30s....


<----male in avatar

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i dont know what to do any advice

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[azazal]

ok let me clarify my question...is it wrong to try and keep these fish in a tank that's to small when all other options seem worse? if i return to LFS they will more than likely end up in a smaller tank if they survive at all..

 

[Rakie]

Sorry to say, if he told you he would order you some but "didn't know what kind" you should have walked out with zero hesitation.

Other than that, I've never kept too many African's, so you'll have to wait for a more experienced keeper.

 

[azazal]

yea i know...this area sucks for LFS and i didnt want to pay shipping on 6 fish ...i realize in the end its my fault...im probably gonna end up driving 4 hrs to trade them in...at least that way theres a better chance theyll get a decent home...what are the odds of all the species of comp /calv i get eye biters...there really cool fish but growing fast and ill never get the fish room in basement done before there too big...

 

[Cleanbio]

if you keep them you'll need to upgrade to a bigger tank, as they can get up to a foot in length, and they appreciate a lot of open water swimming space.

 

[AQUAMONSTER]

Where do t you live in NY. I just started a tang tank and will be getting my 150 gallon in the next few days

 

[Rakie]

Well, I'll be honest. Firstly I'd take them back, if you mind doing that, let him know what they are and how big they get.

Secondly, that's a pretty decent looking tank. Unless you really don't have the money, I'd say it's worth it to get some nice fish shipped to you, if you put that much money, time and effort into making a crisp looking tank, I don't see a real reason to hold back on the livestock.

But that's just me, hopefully you find what you want !

Also, try and look for local breeders too. A breeder near me sells 2.5" Calvus for $10, 1" for $4... At any LFS a 1" will run you $15-20, $35+ for the 2" sizes.

 

[Dobsie]

Californiacichlids.com

Best place I've done business with over the net. His shipping is professional and cheap. Calvus is about $10 a piece and I don't remember how much his comps are. Shipping is 2 day for $10 for anything less than 10 fish and 10-20 is $15. You shouldn't need heater packs anymore.

 

[azazal]

its not a matter of money its about fish suffering for my mistake...upgrading wont happen for at least a year (fish room is currently jam room with full drum kit guitars amps etc)...anyone near corning / elmira NY that has a large enough tank can HAVE them...like i tried to say i got from LFS to try and get a jump on grow out ...planned on ordering cyps julies etc...my point is yes i could bring them back but the chances of them ending up in a big enough tank are very slim i think...LFS guys dont care to tell ppl 125 min...they will sell to whoever wants them...i still hear people saying they only grow as big as tank

i got attached to the lil bastards and want whats best for them

 

[azazal]

Where do t you live in NY. I just started a tang tank and will be getting my 150 gallon in the next few days

thats the problem there NOT tangs there Malawi comps