Stocking tank

[Machine 79]

I currently have a 90 gallon that I got some haps in, and a tank with mbuna.I now have some Africans in QT and wondering how I should split them up for compatibility .
Hap tank:
2 blue moorii
Sulpher head
Venestus
Currently in QT to add:
Vc 10
Dragon blood
Ob peacock
Benga sunshine
A male/ female pair of large auratus
Frontosa male ( not sure what kind of frontosa yet)
Any suggestions are welcome thank you!

 

[KATALEKEEPER]

I would remove the frontosa. Get too big, will get bullied, and need different water parameters.

 

[DJRansome]

Everything in the hap tank except the auratus.

For the auratus, get 6 more females. Hope the mbuna tank is 72"

Some of the haps, both existing and to be added are too big for a 90G.

 

[duanes]

I would remove the frontosa. Get too big, will get bullied, and need different water parameters.

I agree that a 90 gal will be eventually too small for fronts (especially with all those other cichlids)
I also agree it may get bullied by some of the other more aggressive species .
But why water parameters?
They all come from the same lakes, that are rather uniform with similar water and stable in temp, and chemical composition.

 

[Machine 79]

Djransome-
I was thinking along those lines. Yes, full grown they will be too big. Right now all the fish are juvenile. I have some time to upgrade ( not much) but I'm keeping space in mind. I'm thinking to separate the frontosa and set up a species only tank for him and add a couple more. Never kept them before but have seen them in mixed tanks but I think that might be one of those " lucky" situations where they just happen to all get along. I've had that myself. I'm researching frontosa now . It was a bonus fish that breeder threw in into my order unexpectedly. Nothing like a bonus fish that = extra setup lol

 

[Machine 79]

Little guy

 

[KATALEKEEPER]

I agree that a 90 gal will be eventually too small for fronts (especially with all those other cichlids)
I also agree it may get bullied by some of the other more aggressive species .
But why water parameters?
They all come from the same lakes, that are rather uniform with similar water and stable in temp, and chemical composition.

I thought frontosa are from lake Tanganyika where the PH was higher?

 

[duanes]

pH in Malwai ranges 7.7 to 8.6
in Tanganyika depths where Frontosa reside pH average is 8.3-8.5 (in Tanganyika pH drops more, the further you down in depth)
You are right tho in Tanganyika, pH is slightly higher (ph 9 near the surface,, but this not enough warrant separate tanks on water parameters alone.
I agree though, and believe Frontosa should probably "not" be kept with Malawans, they are slow and much more timid, and easily intimidated by the normally much more active and aggressive Palawan cichlids.

 

[tlindsey]

I personally know a very reputable lfs owner who breeds all types of African Cichlid specie's from lake Malawi, lake Victoria, lake Tanganyika and from rivers of Africa. Our PH range out of the tap ranges from 7.6 to 7.8. The Frontosa will be fine without altering the PH. I agree with KATALEKEEPER DJRansome and duanes about not mixing the Frontosa with those on your list.

 

[Machine 79]

I completely agree with seperate environments. From watching the QT tank they are much more reserved then their Malawi counterparts. As far as pH goes they are not even f1 breed. I think they would be accustomed to water ever pH level they were raised in. Or....here is a good question, would the pH level they thrive in, depend on there genetics? Would it be passed on threw 3-4 generations?