Open to ideas!

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Athletic_Amph

Athletic_Amph

Polypterus
MFK Member
Mar 18, 2016
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Branford, CT
attached is a pic of my 40 breeder that is currently up and running...
I'm looking for recommendations on what to stock it with, and would love some feedback
Overall goal would be a breeding pair of smaller to medium sized cichlids that will be comfortable in the 40g for life (Aequidens, Andinoacara, Amatitlania, Cryptoheros, thorichthys, etc... you get the idea)
--specifically with something that's currently available from places like COTA, TUIC, WetSpot, or sites/vendors I'm not aware of

What would you stock this tank with if it were up to you?

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If it were mine,I would look at a West African theme. West Africa has a good variety of interesting species, cichlid and non cichlid suitable for smaller tanks.
I have never kept them but really like the look of nanochromis transvestitus,I would love a group of those.Anomalachromis thomasi is also another nice peaceful cichlid that could be housed in there.
There are lots of nice dither fish from West africa if you want to keep things from the same regions.
A small shoal of upside-down synodontis nigriventis would be nice, or a group of lampeyes.
Lots of easy to grow plants from there too,nymphea lotus lily and anubias being the first that comes to mind.
I think doing a themed tank keeps it a little more interesting and also prolongs the enjoyment of searching out the right species and plants. Lots of nice dwarf cichlids from West africa could be kept and i think their size and temperament is much more suited to a 40 breeder than the smallest of central Americans.
 
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Stanzzzz7 Stanzzzz7 I will definitely look in to West African dwarf Cichlids, I just don't know much about them or African Cichlids in general. You think the tank is too small for a pair of SA's like Aequidens Diadema or similar Acura-type Cichlids?
 
Since a 40 gal is very small, you choices are a bit limited.
There are many dwarf cichlids from west Africa and South America, few small enough from Central America
the only Central American I personally would put (for life) in a 40 gal is Crytoheros nanoluteus (sometimes sold as Archocentrus nanoluteus

A South American, pair of Cichlasoma dimmerus might work

There is a cichlid from India called Etroplus canarensus small enough
Coptodon (Tilapia) snyderae fro Lake Bermin in West African has been available

Many dwarf cichlid such as Apistogramma, and Nanochromis are available form Jeff at Aquaticclarity, or small Rift Lake species from Daves Rare fish, and, many of these guys such as Dave or Jeff can guide you to the right species for that tank.
 
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Laetacara curviceps is a nice dwarf acara that would do well in a small harem.
Personally I would avoid fish that get much bigger than 4 inches.
That's just my view on stocking, that I do seem to get a lot of flak over on this forum.
The decision is ultimately yours.
 
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Ive been wanting a group of Demasoni's. But not sure how many you could fit in a 40 gallon. Theyre supposedly aggressive, but the 1 that I do have in my community tank is very peaceful
 
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Imsobored152 said:
Ive been wanting a group of Demasoni's. But not sure how many you could fit in a 40 gallon. Theyre supposedly aggressive, but the 1 that I do have in my community tank is very peaceful
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Demasonis are fun. I used to keep and breed them. You can pack a lot of them in a 40 or even better a 55 or 75. The extra length helps. Lots of rocks! They mix well with nyereri from lake Victoria too. They'll breed out of control tho. I started out with around 8 of each and within a year there were close to 100! Had to take all the rock out and catch a bunch to get the population under control. Finally got tired of doing that every 3 months and got rid of all of them
 
Stanzzzz7 Stanzzzz7 as I look further in to the West African cichlids, I recognize more and more of them so a nice small biotope/harem is very possible at this point. Is a harem possible for the West African types? or is that more of a South American thing... again, my knowledge in African Cichlids is limited but i'll be doing plenty of reading as I dig further I'm sure
-And although many don't agree with you regarding tank size and stocking, I always take your recommendations seriously - and more often than not agree with them - so I will take your recommendations seriously... and the more I look in to a West African theme, the more I like the idea of a more active tank to go along with my rather empty tank of Rivs lol
Thanks duanes duanes for the recommendation of AquaticClarity, I've never heard of them before but they have quite the options available.



Gourami Swami Gourami Swami I did see those on his list, and I don't think I've ever seen them posted on many forums or pages... how large do they get?
 
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