How many?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
labenator65000 said:
Some folks advise to overstock Mbuna to disperse aggression, but this is really the wrong way to handle aggression. Even with sufficient filtration, Nitratras are at the end of the Nitrogen cycle, so more fish=more Nitrates, and the only way to reduce Nitrates effectively is by doing PWCs. Aggression with Mbuna can be controlled by selelcting the proper species to coexist and have a sufficient sized tank with hiding places breaks in line of sight.

Peacocks, however, open-water swimmers. Overstocking a Peacock tank is particularly not a good idea and hiding places may not necessarily help aggressionin all cases.

Check out http://aqadvisor.com for a GENERAL guideline on how many fish you can support in a given tank/equipment. It's not fool-proof, but it's a decent starting point.


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They also overstock because it works. Some fish as individuals are hyper aggressive. I had a compressiceps that literally removed 2 pelvic fins fins completely from one of my fish. If you don't care about a little work water changes are no big deal, at least to me.


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Over stock works. If you have extensive rock work and breeding groups, over stock is just a matter of time, unless you are going to break down the rocks every time they breed. Keep up with the water changes, over filter and you should be fine.


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Ok so if I overstock, won't they out grow my 55 gallon tank? I wanted to know how many would be ok.

Thanks for all the advice but it still didn't answer my question. I'm looking for a # to go by. Right now I have 6 African Cichlids. Can or should I add more? Right now they are baby's and have a lot of room but I don't want to many where when they get bigger they won't have room to swim.
 
Well, I don't know if I would listen to me as i am for sure no expert. But if you want numbers. If you want fish to breed then i always read 1 male 3 females (or preferably more females depending on species). So I've also read over and over 2 species in a 55 gal is ok. so that brings you to 8. You could also if you like one species like 1m 4f and a few syno's or something similar. Not sure if you can have more than one male. i assume the non dominant male will die eventually. But like I said I don't know if i would take my advice. Someone else can correct me if i am wrong. Answer 8 or 9 good with good filtration water changes premium food etc... blah blah blah

dave
 
TheBigBadWolf76 said:
Ok so if I overstock, won't they out grow my 55 gallon tank? I wanted to know how many would be ok.

Thanks for all the advice but it still didn't answer my question. I'm looking for a # to go by. Right now I have 6 African Cichlids. Can or should I add more? Right now they are baby's and have a lot of room but I don't want to many where when they get bigger they won't have room to swim.
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did you click on the link I gave you? It is a cookie cutter for stocking a 55 gallon.
 
TheBigBadWolf76 said:
How many African Cichlids can I keep in a 55 gal. fish tank? I really don't want to over do it so I would like to know how many would be OK.

Thanks,
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What fish do you currently have?

I would concentrate on selecting a compatible species. With a 55 it's a bit challenging (I say this because I have a 55 myself). If you load it up with, say, 10 or so Yellow Labs, you will likely be fine because Labs are relatively peaceful fish, as far as Mbuna go). I would not recommand having and aggressive fish in a 55. Folks get away with it with larger tanks because there is more space for others to get away.

I agree that Peacocks would be a good suggestion for a 55. Peacocks are generally more peaceful than Mbuna. Pick fish that will not get larger than 5 or 6". For example, Red Jacobfreibergi get up to 7", so that too large. Most others, though, would work just fine. If you go all male, then you will remove aggression over mating, and you could have a good variety of colors.

If you go for Haps or Mbuna, do your research to find ones that can coexist.


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I wouldn't do peacocks in a 55g but instead mbuna since they don't get as big. Many peacocks can exceed 6" and with a 55g being 12" width, thats not a whole lot of swimming room. I guess you could buy smaller peacocks and grow them out though and later on upgrade. I would suggest maybe 10 cichlids max if you don't really want to overstock
 
About 10 fish to start and go from that point.
 
People treat Malawi's and peacocks like they are the most aggressive fish ever.. You could keep easily 8 males. If your doing an all male tank I would do at least 10-15 if you are doing a mixed watch it because of fighting over females, but you could probably do 10? :O
 
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