Stocking a 60gal: questions and suggestions

[mjime714]

Im very close to stocking my 60. I am wondering a few things... fyi, I am hoping to get some breeding on.

1: Should I buy the young ones or more mature? I dont mind watching them grow out.

2: Most of my LFS's keep africans in "Assorted African" tanks and a few species in their own tanks. Is it better to seek out the ones in separate tanks?

3: Im thinking of going with a final count of 12-15 fish. Is this a good amount? How many should I introduce into the tank at a time? I am running a wet/dry (for up to 125 gal with a rena2100 pump) and a fluval 304.

4: Im thinking 5 Red Zebra's, 5 Cobalt Blue Zebra's and 5 Electric Yellows (in hopes that I have a good male female ration with each). Would this be a good grouping? Im open to suggestions.

Thanks!!

 

[ogre929]

well if you wanna get some breeding on, you could go without the two different kinds of zebras and doing something different. Zebras will interbreed between color variations. But you can put a lot more than 12 fish in there. The thing about most of the mbuna is that they're all pretty aggressive. some more than others, but fish such as sebras and the kenyiis (i know the species name changed but i can't remember what it is at 2 am) and the melanochromis which you find in the generic assorted africans at your local fish store are all pretty aggresive. Their natural population density is really high and with the filtration that you have, the fish would be much happier if there were more that 12. with that few fish, there is a decent possability of lots of arguing and bickering among the fish. Also, with those fish, you never want to add just one at a time. 3 or 4 minimum to add at a time.

If you wanted to start out with the little ones (an inch long or so), that are pretty cheap you could probably just dump 20 of them in there and they'd do alright. As long as the tank is cycled. Maybe add a dozen 3 weeks later after the tank has stabilized. The nice thing about those little buggers is that they grow like weeds.

If you wanted practice breeding fish sooner than later, go with the adults. They are mouth brooders so it's pretty easy, the hard part is catching the females holding and stripping the babies. they move fast and like to hide, even at night it's not an easy task.

And as far as the "Assorted Africans" go, I've seen fish such as electric yellows, many different zebras, melanochromis, felbourni, kenyii, red empress and every once in a while dimidochromis. good luck

 

[Scotty]

I have two Malawi tanks. One of around 110 litres and the other around 180 litres. I have 12-15 breeding species in each with a couple of Haps etc in between Total fish per tank is around 35. I have wild caught's in the 110 litre tank and have been quite successful with breeding some of them. The saulosi is busy carrying her 4th clutch. The smallest Afra lion's cove female has produced two clutches. These fish all live pretty happily together with very little aggression shown as I have put in quite a few rocks for shelter. The big factor is keeping the water clean and for this I do about 15-20% water changes on a weekly basis.
I have also put in some Vallisneria and this gets dislodged every now and then but I just replant. Quite a lot and was quite long at the time of planting. When I introduced the wild caught's they calmly started to eat the grass.
The joy of small ones is you can enjoy watching them grow but if in a hurry to breed then the best option would be the bigger fish. The positive point here being you can check to see what it is you are getting in the line of male/female.
A single male will look to cross breeding with the same species but if he has a female or two it should not just happen.
Afra's are great together with the Ps elongatus species. Feulborni give the variation of the different lip and feeding style. Try for some OB's if you can get them. These are the blotched fish.
Your filtration systems looks to be great for these fish and the tank you have.
Post a pic once you have it up and running. I will look to posting some pics of my tanks latter today.

 

[mjime714]

Sweet!! Thanks for the replies!

you could probably just dump 20 of them in there and they'd do alright. As long as the tank is cycled. Maybe add a dozen 3 weeks later after the tank has stabilized.

So over 30 fish in a 60 gal (227 litres) is not all that uncommon? Thats awesome!! I know overcrowding does help with aggression, I just didnt know what point the number of fish in a tank is considered enough.

One of around 110 litres and the other around 180 litres. I have 12-15 breeding species in each with a couple of Haps etc in between Total fish per tank is around 35

Thats awesome.. what species do you have and what size are they?

Post a pic once you have it up and running. I will look to posting some pics of my tanks latter today.

I will show when its all done. I look forward to seeing pics of your tanks.

I would love anymore input anyone else has.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[ogre929]

I actually had a good 18 fish in a 29 gal and had no problems with anything. The more fish the better to a point. But I also stacked rocks up in the tank to damn near the top of the water. Oh wait, I did have one problem... Mbuna LOVE to dig. They're always bored and want something to do.

 

[HarpoGarza]

Yeah, I LOVE my Africans. If you want to see something truely breath taking, get a young male peacock, which are usually really dark, and slowly introduce some females to the tank. You'll end up with one of the most beautifully colored fish on Earth (IMHO). I second the neccesity for a lot of rocks. As for the fish digging, I switched over to a thicker, heavier gravel, and they seem to have given that up. On the downside, I think my Melanocromis bit the big one today. I haven't seen her since last night, and I have the feeling I'm going to have a little surprise waiting for me when I do my water changes tomorrow. You gotta love the Africans. So many colors, so many breeds, all unique in their own way.

 

[Scotty]

Hi HarpoGarza, how about posting a pic of your Malawi tank, 35G?
Yes, the Mbuna do dig somewhat. I had gravel in my original tank but took it out as the second tank I put in sand and found it stayed cleaner a lot longer. Filters worked better and also the Vallisneria seems to prefer the sand. My greyshakei male, pic in my personal gallery, used to cart the gravel to all parts of the tank, especially after I filled up his hole a couple of times. Took the gravel out right down to the glass.

 

[Scotty]

Hi HarpoGarza, I have just posted two pic's of my tanks. The first being the 180litre and the second being the 110litre. This is just wild caught's. Will list the species some other time.

 

[ogre929]

Those are some good lookin fishies.

 

[HarpoGarza]

Hi HarpoGarza, how about posting a pic of your Malawi tank, 35G?
:

I just added a bunch to my Gallery. I'd post em here, but I'm kinda lazy

EDIT~! BTW, your Mbuna look great.