Workable stocking list for 55 Tang. set-up?

[Fish on Fire]

I'm looking to get into African cichlids again and would prefer to get a Tang set-up this time as they appear to be more attractive to me than the Malawis I used to keep, were. This is the stocking list that I would like to have:

4 Black Calvus (1 male 3 females, might just have a trio if it's better not to go with 4 of them)

6-10+ Cyprichromis leptosoma (2-3 males with the rest being females)

6 Julidochromis transcriptus (3 pairs, might have to cut down to 2?)

5 Callochromis melanostigma Burundi (Possible aggression problem?)

Anyways, I am posting this because I want your personal experience with these fish and/or mixes of these fish, not the info that I can find on the web. How well do they adapt to your water? Do you have to do anything special that you wouldn't do for, say,American cichlids (what I've been keeping lately)? I'm probably going to try for f1 or later generation fish that would be hardier and more adapted to the water here in the states. (Don't want to have a bunch of wasted cash and dead fish on my hands if I go all out for WC fish without the experience to keep the water conditions similar to the actual lake.)

What kind of substrate should I use or do I have to use special substrate to get the right water hardness and ph? Any info regarding these species and keeping them would be appreciated.

They will not all be going into the tank at the same time. I'll be adding them species by species. That being said, which one should I add first? (From my experience, I would go with the least aggressive out of the fish I want to keep. However, since they are Tangs, I have to consider the sensitivity factor too. Anyone help/tips?)

 

[junglej]

I would only keep 3 calvus, 1m2f(less aggression). Otherwise, a proven pair would work best. I've kept these fish for quite some time, and they can get pretty nasty too each other. they do get along ok with most fish, but you will not be very successful, if any other fish breed, as they will eat the fry. You could, however, strip the cyps if they start holding.
I don't think i would keep more than one male cyp, as the other will be beat to crap in a 55.
I would also go with some type of sand because some of the fish will dig, or rearange the substrate.
You may have to use a buffer or crushed coral to raise the hardness/ph, but here in WI, my tap water is 8.2 with a high hardness level. If you breed these fish in a lower ph, or too little hardness, the fry will have defects. Been there done that.
Als, Julies get pretty nasty so i would only keep a pair, or possibly 2

 

[Marius]

I'm looking to get into African cichlids again and would prefer to get a Tang set-up this time as they appear to be more attractive to me than the Malawis I used to keep, were. This is the stocking list that I would like to have:

4 Black Calvus (1 male 3 females, might just have a trio if it's better not to go with 4 of them)
Get yourself a wild caught pair, it's enough.

6-10+ Cyprichromis leptosoma (2-3 males with the rest being females)
Nice starter group.

6 Julidochromis transcriptus (3 pairs, might have to cut down to 2?)

5 Callochromis melanostigma Burundi (Possible aggression problem?)
One, or the other. I'd go for the Callochromis group.

Anyways, I am posting this because I want your personal experience with these fish and/or mixes of these fish, not the info that I can find on the web. How well do they adapt to your water? Do you have to do anything special that you wouldn't do for, say,American cichlids (what I've been keeping lately)? I'm probably going to try for f1 or later generation fish that would be hardier and more adapted to the water here in the states. (Don't want to have a bunch of wasted cash and dead fish on my hands if I go all out for WC fish without the experience to keep the water conditions similar to the actual lake.)

What kind of substrate should I use or do I have to use special substrate to get the right water hardness and ph? Any info regarding these species and keeping them would be appreciated.

Substrate go for aragonite sand, mix it with moon sand if you want a darker base. Aragonite will buffer your water at a constant pH and hardness.


They will not all be going into the tank at the same time. I'll be adding them species by species. That being said, which one should I add first? (From my experience, I would go with the least aggressive out of the fish I want to keep. However, since they are Tangs, I have to consider the sensitivity factor too. Anyone help/tips?
Callochromis first, Cyps and then Calvus.

 

[ihavegills]

I also recommend aragonite mixed in with a black sand. Will help keep your ph high. Tangs need higher ph.

Regarding the calvus, I have never witnessed much agression from them agains other species, only on conspefics. They will definitely eat fry if they can get it, so stripping females is a must.

The cyps are a great addition to any tang tank, but I agree in a 55g, to many males will create issues. I think you will be ok with a couple of males though. I have mine in a 75 gallon, a colony of 17, and they do very good, no agression what so ever amongst the males.

The Callochromis love sand, and basically require it, so you definitely will need a sand, or sand mix substrate. I don't belive you will see agression issues with this fish.

I like your stocking list, think it will work great.

Good Luck

 

[Fish on Fire]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess I'll be picking up a 20 lb bag of that substrate made especially for African cichlids. (forgot what it was called but it has aragonite mixed in it.)

 

[Marius]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess I'll be picking up a 20 lb bag of that substrate made especially for African cichlids. (forgot what it was called but it has aragonite mixed in it.)

Why? Eco complete cichlid sand, if I am not mistaken, why would you waste your money. Just buy aragonite sand ...very fine sand.

 

[Fish on Fire]

Why? Eco complete cichlid sand, if I am not mistaken, why would you waste your money. Just buy aragonite sand ...very fine sand.

Well, it depends on what's available to me, really. I'm not feeling too hot about having some sand shipped to me as the shipping would cost just as much as the bag of sand itself.

 

[Marius]

Well, it depends on what's available to me, really. I'm not feeling too hot about having some sand shipped to me as the shipping would cost just as much as the bag of sand itself.

Your local LFS should have some, it is the one used usually in the marine setups, 25-30$/40lbs

 

[Fish on Fire]

Your local LFS should have some, it is the one used usually in the marine setups, 25-30$/40lbs

Any way they have it in a darker color? I like darker substrates better as they seem to bring out the colors of fish more than light substrates do.

 

[Fish on Fire]

Alright, so I am planning on getting the black calvus first. Got a question about them though. What's the difference between a black calvus and an inkblack calvus?