Large Predatory Haps?
- Thread starter gobucks1
- Start date
Thanks.
The fossies will utilize the entire tank, top, bottom, and middle. You could go with those numbers in a 135, but a 180 would definitely give them more elbow room as they mature.
The fossies will utilize the entire tank, top, bottom, and middle. You could go with those numbers in a 135, but a 180 would definitely give them more elbow room as they mature.
RD.;2847726; said:
Okay, thanks. I would love to do a 180, but i want to order new, and to completely set it up it would cost over $300 more and i need to save more money for college.
Would 2M 4F be better in a 135?
Thanks,
Will
I would try 3m 4f, just so that the dom male has more than one sub dom male to harass. With that m/f ratio the dom male will hopefully focus most of his attention on the 4 females. (but don't expect the sub dom males to color up)
So i've been giving this more thought and researching the fish more, and i really want to do a 180, to give them more space and me a better viewing area.
After more research, i've really become interested in possibly doing a either a mostly all male set up with a few different species and maybe a pair or two, or a colony of Champsochromis Caeruleus, or Lichnochromis, or Exochromis, or Buccochromis Rhoadessi (sooo many great choices). Or even a breeding colony of Fosso's and a colony of one of the above (smaller colonies obviously).
Which of these species (champs, lichno, exo.) exhibits more peaceful behavior in a breeding colony?
After more research, i've really become interested in possibly doing a either a mostly all male set up with a few different species and maybe a pair or two, or a colony of Champsochromis Caeruleus, or Lichnochromis, or Exochromis, or Buccochromis Rhoadessi (sooo many great choices). Or even a breeding colony of Fosso's and a colony of one of the above (smaller colonies obviously).
Which of these species (champs, lichno, exo.) exhibits more peaceful behavior in a breeding colony?
When they become sexually mature, none of them are going to exhibit peaceful behavior in a breeding colony. The B. rhoadesii may in fact kill any other males that it considers a potential rival. Keeping any of the above species as a "pair" is a bad idea. IMO you'd be better off keeping a 180 as a single species tank, or all males.
After reading through the thread again, i see that you already answered the question i just asked, sorry about that.
I looked through again and saw that your friend John's tank had multiple Venestus that were all colored up. Would you think that would work with multiple male Caeruleus?
What if i were to an (almost) all male tank of:
1.0.0 Fossochomis Rostratus
1.0.0 Aristochromis Christyi
1.0.0 Dimidochromis Compressiceps
1.0.0 Nimbochromis Livingstoni
5.0.0 Champsochromis Caeruleus
1.0.0 Lichnochromis Acuticeps
1.0.0 Placidochromis Milomo
1.2.0 Labidochromis Caeruleus
In a standard 180.
Or would the trio of Lab's become a nuisance?
I wouldn't think they would because they're supposedly the most peaceful of the mbuna and they occupy a different area of the tank than most of the haps.
Since the Venestus in the other tank were all colored up, i figured that all the Champs would color up or at least all show some decent color since the dom. male would have so many to beat on.
But i really have little African cichlid experience aside from mbuna.
Thanks,
Will
I looked through again and saw that your friend John's tank had multiple Venestus that were all colored up. Would you think that would work with multiple male Caeruleus?
What if i were to an (almost) all male tank of:
1.0.0 Fossochomis Rostratus
1.0.0 Aristochromis Christyi
1.0.0 Dimidochromis Compressiceps
1.0.0 Nimbochromis Livingstoni
5.0.0 Champsochromis Caeruleus
1.0.0 Lichnochromis Acuticeps
1.0.0 Placidochromis Milomo
1.2.0 Labidochromis Caeruleus
In a standard 180.
Or would the trio of Lab's become a nuisance?
I wouldn't think they would because they're supposedly the most peaceful of the mbuna and they occupy a different area of the tank than most of the haps.
Since the Venestus in the other tank were all colored up, i figured that all the Champs would color up or at least all show some decent color since the dom. male would have so many to beat on.
But i really have little African cichlid experience aside from mbuna.
Thanks,
Will
Personally I would leave the yellow labs out of the mix.
I have a pair of labs in my all male 125, but it was only by fluke that the female ended up in this tank. It can work, but eventually when some of your haps get larger they may start viewing the smaller females as dinner.
I'm guessing that only 1 male champ will color up, and that species is known for being fairly aggressive towards con-specifics, even when juvies. At one time I had 3 very small juvie males in a 6ft 125, and they chased each other & fought non stop. I eventually removed the two sub dominants.
You may have to try a few different mixes out, and then tweak things as you go along. A lot of it will depend on the individual personality of the fish. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw whether a mix of fish will work out long term, or not.
I have a pair of labs in my all male 125, but it was only by fluke that the female ended up in this tank. It can work, but eventually when some of your haps get larger they may start viewing the smaller females as dinner.
I'm guessing that only 1 male champ will color up, and that species is known for being fairly aggressive towards con-specifics, even when juvies. At one time I had 3 very small juvie males in a 6ft 125, and they chased each other & fought non stop. I eventually removed the two sub dominants.
You may have to try a few different mixes out, and then tweak things as you go along. A lot of it will depend on the individual personality of the fish. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw whether a mix of fish will work out long term, or not.
gobucks1;2956095; said:
Champs get aggressive, I have 2 males in a 180g. I don't suggest getting a colony(3 or more) of them in a 180g, not enough room for them IMO. Size wise yes you would, but they need there individual space to breathe. They can grow upto 18" also, pretty big. Also only my dom M has the color, my sub-dom has very little at this time. Acually im thinking of giving him away. My dom. Also chases my Venustus alot, and sometime tries to eat my smaller guys.
there great fish and are my favorite, but do some more research and make sure that's what you want. I am eventually going to up grade to a bigger tank because of them.
While I agree with the vast majority of your info, I have yet to see an adult male champ that was anywhere near 18" in size. Most aquarium raised specimens max out at approx 12".
