how about posting some pic of this system... we have all given lots of Ideas and would just love to see it...
Massive African Tank Species Choices?
- Thread starter Blaker
- Start date
There are actually some really big Africans.
Some of the biggest are:
Buccochromis heterotoenia 18"
Champsochromis caeruleus 18"
Some of the biggest are:
Buccochromis heterotoenia 18"
Champsochromis caeruleus 18"
If you are serious about putting just African cichlids in this tank, I'd consider it a no brainer. Shoals of several large predatory Malawians would look fantastic, especially if you have large sandy areas for the open water fish to frolic through: Champsochromis caeruleus or spilorhynchus (if you find spilos please tell me where!), Bucchochromis rhoedesii or lepturus, Nimbochromis sp., Tyrranochromis sp., Exochromis, large Mylochromis, Lichnochromis acuticeps.... and if there is still room the not as predatory types like Fossorochromis rostratus (with accompanying Cyrtocara moorii), big Copacichromis species like redfin borleyi or Promtomelas types (red empress) types would go well too... the list goes on...
I'd have 10 adults or more of each, hopefully with at least 2 nicely colored males of each species in that size tank!
And to finish it all off how about a couple of massive African giraffe catfish, especially the Tanganyikan form:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=149
If you make a huge rock pile in one area that no adult fish can get into the females will likely spit their fry near that and you might get some that grow up in the main tank. I'd advise stripping females and having a smaller setup or two to raise babies up to a few inches though before putting them back in the big show tank.
I'd have 10 adults or more of each, hopefully with at least 2 nicely colored males of each species in that size tank!
And to finish it all off how about a couple of massive African giraffe catfish, especially the Tanganyikan form:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=149
If you make a huge rock pile in one area that no adult fish can get into the females will likely spit their fry near that and you might get some that grow up in the main tank. I'd advise stripping females and having a smaller setup or two to raise babies up to a few inches though before putting them back in the big show tank.
Champsochromis caeruleus (Malwi Trout),D. compressiceps (Malawi eye biters),Exochochromis anagenys(malawi torpedo), Aristochromis christyi (malawi hawk), and a few of the other Dimidiochromis species.
Then a bunch of Peacocks for them to chase!!
Then a bunch of Peacocks for them to chase!!
They come form Lake Malawi.
Even though you are not a begginer Maylandia estherae and M. lombardoi are still good choices for beginers. The estherae is a mouthbrooding cichlid. Which is an exciting behavior to watch if you have not watch it yet. You could defintely get a lot of fish for your tank because a breeding pair can be housed in a 29.
if you choose the etherae they do not form pairs the male will move around the tank looking to breed with any available female he can find! Once he done he will move on to another female. Even if the female is stil holding eggs or babies in its mouth they can still try to spawn with the female. The male will continue to harass her somtimes resulting in death or injury! So you may want to keep a considerable amount more femlaes than males.
Have fun with those Africans!
Even though you are not a begginer Maylandia estherae and M. lombardoi are still good choices for beginers. The estherae is a mouthbrooding cichlid. Which is an exciting behavior to watch if you have not watch it yet. You could defintely get a lot of fish for your tank because a breeding pair can be housed in a 29.
if you choose the etherae they do not form pairs the male will move around the tank looking to breed with any available female he can find! Once he done he will move on to another female. Even if the female is stil holding eggs or babies in its mouth they can still try to spawn with the female. The male will continue to harass her somtimes resulting in death or injury! So you may want to keep a considerable amount more femlaes than males.
Have fun with those Africans!
Since you are posting in several different forums, undecided as to what to do with the tank, my 2 cents is that the whole "african tank" is a bit overrated. You see them in almost every fish store, almost every public aquarium, = A bit overdone/clich'e. It, in my opinion, would not be unique, or "different" per se. BUT if you don't care about it being "unique or different" Then an African tank could be awesome. The OB types are quite stunning if you hand-pick the nicely marked ones.
I think that it would great with africans in, but would cost a lot of money to sotck and you'd need loads of rock. Why not go for a shoal of like a 100 large disc charcins like silver dollars, red hook metynnis, tiger metynnis. etc. In my largish tank i've got 19 of these and they look great. You could have sand and loads of bogwood. It'd look great mate. But at the end of the day its your chioce.
Or, maybe "rescue" a dozen 2 foot Pink Tilapia from your local "Chinatown" food store - an instant shoal of African Cichlids that wouldn't need all of that rock, very personable fish, very people-responsive. Don't forget 2 monster albino channel cats while you're at it.
But then again, you've really got to decide what you want to go with. The possibilities are... literally endless. Literally.
People can get a micro-barb, or a 10 foot Electric Eel, and anything in between.
But then again, you've really got to decide what you want to go with. The possibilities are... literally endless. Literally.
People can get a micro-barb, or a 10 foot Electric Eel, and anything in between.
y0 throw in about 100-200 mbunas and stuff of every type and throw in about 10-12 buffalo heads 
and then throw in elike 6-7 tyrannachromis
they hunt mbunas in the wild it would be an awesome setup
and then throw in elike 6-7 tyrannachromis they hunt mbunas in the wild it would be an awesome setup
