tang biotope critique my stocklist

[nzeng1111]

I'm thinking about making a 120-180 gallon biotope aquarium (6' long) with the following fish

neolamprologus hecqui 6x
cypriochromis leptostoma regular 12x
altolamprologus calvus black 6x
julidochromis malieri or regani 6x
lamprologus caudopunctatus or cylindricus 6x

How is this stocklist. In order of priority
1. cyps,
2. shelldwellers
3. altos
4. everything else

 

[Milingu]

I would go with more Cyprichromis because I don't expect much fry to survive with all the Lamprologini. Or you raise fry separately. Cyprichromis go way better in bigger groups. Less stress for males and females.

You might need to reduce some of the Lamprologini when pairs have formed.

I would go for hecqui or cylindricus - not both together because they are pretty dominant and will occupy a lot of space.

Space and a decent structure will be the biggest issue while decorating the tank.

Personally I would aim for 1 or 2 two pairs of hecqui + a group of caudopunctatus. They will occupy shells and smaller caves.
The Julidochromis will dominate the bigger rock structures. So you need to make sure the Altolamprologus will find proper caves since they will not be able to challenge the Julidochromis for a cave when Julidochromis declared it as theirs.
One option could be to provide big sea snail shells for the Altolamprologus.

 

[tlindsey]

I'm thinking about making a 120-180 gallon biotope aquarium (6' long) with the following fish

neolamprologus hecqui 6x
cypriochromis leptostoma regular 12x
altolamprologus calvus black 6x
julidochromis malieri or regani 6x
lamprologus caudopunctatus or cylindricus 6x

How is this stocklist. In order of priority
1. cyps,
2. shelldwellers
3. altos
4. everything else

Welcome aboard

 

[nzeng1111]

Welcome aboard

Thanks!

I would go with more Cyprichromis because I don't expect much fry to survive with all the Lamprologini. Or you raise fry separately. Cyprichromis go way better in bigger groups. Less stress for males and females.

You might need to reduce some of the Lamprologini when pairs have formed.

I would go for hecqui or cylindricus - not both together because they are pretty dominant and will occupy a lot of space.

Space and a decent structure will be the biggest issue while decorating the tank.

Personally I would aim for 1 or 2 two pairs of hecqui + a group of caudopunctatus. They will occupy shells and smaller caves.
The Julidochromis will dominate the bigger rock structures. So you need to make sure the Altolamprologus will find proper caves since they will not be able to challenge the Julidochromis for a cave when Julidochromis declared it as theirs.
One option could be to provide big sea snail shells for the Altolamprologus.

Thanks for you critique. I will raise the cyprichromis fry seperately if they do breed so the others won't eat them.
I may cut down on the amount of lampros to avoid aggression doing away with the neolamps entirely. In addition, would a smaller species of julie work better with this setup?
so 18x cyps
6-8x altos
4-5x julie ornatus
4x hecqui

 

[Milingu]

Yes, ornatus is less aggressive compared to regani/maleri. You should be able to have more than one adult pair.
Reducing the Lamprologus species is a good idea and will make a more peaceful tank.

 

[nzeng1111]

Ok, thank you. Should he a fun tank when done!