i have a 55g with 3small yellow labs and 5 small assorted africans and im just wondering how many more africans i could add. for filtration i have an xp3 and a whisper 60.
stocking 55g
- Thread starter patriotsfan
- Start date
You could look at adding quite a couple more, 15-20. You must either look at overstocking, a couple of different species, or otherwise you need to look at 2-3 species with a male and 3-4 females. Overstocking together with plenty of rocks doesn't allow anyone fish in particular to dominate the others. Depending on the species and you could have all hell break loose in your tank as some of the fish become quite aggressive. I have found that a pile of rocks at either end helps to minimise the aggressivenessas well. A dominant male will try to control one of the piles rather than the entire reef.
Some fish to add to the caeruleus are crabo, saulosi, callainos(cobalt blue), Tropheops sp red cheek, Metriaclima livingstonii, Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos "maingano" and Labeotropheus fuelleborni. These are all less aggressive fish which will blend in well. Enjoy establishing your tank and please post some pics.
You will need to look at doing around 20% water changes weekly as these fish are rather messy.
Some fish to add to the caeruleus are crabo, saulosi, callainos(cobalt blue), Tropheops sp red cheek, Metriaclima livingstonii, Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos "maingano" and Labeotropheus fuelleborni. These are all less aggressive fish which will blend in well. Enjoy establishing your tank and please post some pics.
You will need to look at doing around 20% water changes weekly as these fish are rather messy.
for the rocks i did like a wall of lava rocks. will that be fine or should i have 2 piles of rocks on each end of the tank and nothing in the middle?
What I did was I tried out a reef of rocks at first then I saw a tank that had twopiles of rocks. Tried this and found the aggro fish did not try and control the entire reef. I am talking of a three foot tank here. Maybe if the tank is longer, say 5-6ft, the fish might notbe able to control an entire reef formation.
With a sand/coral bottom you can look to planting some Valisneria grass in the open space. You will more than likely end up having to replant some of it as mbuna's like to dig and will more than likely dig some out. If youlook at my gallery you will see a couple of my tanks and get an idea of how they look.
With a sand/coral bottom you can look to planting some Valisneria grass in the open space. You will more than likely end up having to replant some of it as mbuna's like to dig and will more than likely dig some out. If youlook at my gallery you will see a couple of my tanks and get an idea of how they look.
Scotty, your Mbuna look amazing, the wild caught in particular. I envy you for having the access to catch such beautiful fish. Well done!
be careful with your fish, only add small ones, what you have listed is cool but dont add any frontosa's. its tempting but they will not be happy in there with so many other fish and no room to move. i have two in a 60 right now and they are already restless, soon they will be in a 180 and happy! 
good luck, post pictures of the yellow labs!
good luck, post pictures of the yellow labs!
just put more labs and rusties. they dont get too big.
overstockin on mbunas mite not be that great. they get pretty violent even w/ enuf rockwork, tankmates, etc........
try out some tangs..
overstockin on mbunas mite not be that great. they get pretty violent even w/ enuf rockwork, tankmates, etc........
try out some tangs..
haha.. all this talk has gotten me interested. I have a 55 corner gal tank that i am breaking down (Saltwater), and i've been pondering what to do with it.
Would it change the dynamics of what I can keep in my tank if my 55 gal tank is a corner tank - meaning not as long as the traditional 55/60 gal tanks in length but more tall and wide?
Would it change the dynamics of what I can keep in my tank if my 55 gal tank is a corner tank - meaning not as long as the traditional 55/60 gal tanks in length but more tall and wide?
with most african's the most important thing is the floor area not hight. the dimensions of your tank will help us answer your question better.