Hello, i was going to go to petco this weekend and pick up a new tank. They are having a kit-sale. I wanted to get either the 29 or the 55. What i wanted to put in it were 1-2 yellow labs and a few 2-3 other small cichlids. What tank would you recomend. I know everyone would say the bigger one but is it really necesary???
Yellow Lab Help
- Thread starter Earthswater
- Start date
If you can afford the 55 I would go ahead and get a 55 . As your fish grow you will regret only having a 29 gallon and depending on the other tankmates a 29 gallon will probably be too small and you will limit yourself on future stocking .Yellow labs are pretty mellow as far as mbuna but a larger tank also helps with aggression. Maybe look at some dwarf cichlids like Saulosi the males are blue and females are a goldish yellow and the dont get very big.
Take your time setting it up.. get the look you want before adding fish.. put the fish on hold... or order more... labs are very nice and gentle ..keep in mind they will breed and you will have more once they mature... pick out other less aggressive africans to share as tankmates.. enjoy
My answer is the 55gal not just b/c it's bigger but you can keep more fish and it will help with aggression to have more space, I would most def. not recommend the 29gal as the 29gal as far as I know is a tall tank and will not offer very much for these fish. I ve done mbuna in a 30gal (which is long, not tall like a 29gal is) and I still wouldn't recommend it, to small space and to much aggression, go with the 55gal.
here is some info on the labs the you want ...Quick Stats: Lab Electric Yellow African CichlidFamily: Cichlidae
Range: Lake Malawi, Africa
Size: Up to 5 inches
Diet: Omnivore
Tank Set-up: Freshwater: Rocks, plants, sandy bottom
Tank Conditions: 72-82°F; pH 7.8-8.5; dH 10-15
Minimum Tank Capacity: 50 gallons
Light: Low
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Swimming Level: Middle and Bottom
Care Level: Easy
Reproduction: Mouth Brooder
The Lab Electric Yellow African Cichlid, gets its rather unusual name as a result of its brilliant yellow coloration, setting it apart from other cichlids. It is also known by the Latin names Labidochromis tanganicae and Pseudotropheus estherae. The Electric Yellow lives in the waters of Lake Malawi between the islands of Charo and Mbowe. First displayed at Burundi in the early 1980's and exported from there, the Electric Yellow was mistakenly believed to come from Lake Tanganyika. Small Electric Yellows will often not show the vivid black striping on the fins until they mature and age.
A peaceful and shy cichlid when compared to the temperament of other African cichlids, the Electric Yellow would be considered semi-aggressive in a standard freshwater aquarium. The aquarium should include a sandy bottom, robust plants, caves, and rocks.
The female lays her eggs on the surface of rocks and then scoops them into her mouth where they brood for 18 days before being released.
The Electric Yellow diet should consist of meaty foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and a quality flake or pellet food containing vegetable matter.
Ideal tank mates include other aggressive Lake Malawi African Cichlids and African Catfish of the genus Synodontis.
Range: Lake Malawi, Africa
Size: Up to 5 inches
Diet: Omnivore
Tank Set-up: Freshwater: Rocks, plants, sandy bottom
Tank Conditions: 72-82°F; pH 7.8-8.5; dH 10-15
Minimum Tank Capacity: 50 gallons
Light: Low
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Swimming Level: Middle and Bottom
Care Level: Easy
Reproduction: Mouth Brooder
The Lab Electric Yellow African Cichlid, gets its rather unusual name as a result of its brilliant yellow coloration, setting it apart from other cichlids. It is also known by the Latin names Labidochromis tanganicae and Pseudotropheus estherae. The Electric Yellow lives in the waters of Lake Malawi between the islands of Charo and Mbowe. First displayed at Burundi in the early 1980's and exported from there, the Electric Yellow was mistakenly believed to come from Lake Tanganyika. Small Electric Yellows will often not show the vivid black striping on the fins until they mature and age.
A peaceful and shy cichlid when compared to the temperament of other African cichlids, the Electric Yellow would be considered semi-aggressive in a standard freshwater aquarium. The aquarium should include a sandy bottom, robust plants, caves, and rocks.
The female lays her eggs on the surface of rocks and then scoops them into her mouth where they brood for 18 days before being released.
The Electric Yellow diet should consist of meaty foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and a quality flake or pellet food containing vegetable matter.
Ideal tank mates include other aggressive Lake Malawi African Cichlids and African Catfish of the genus Synodontis.
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Red Devil;5040679; said:state your questions..
ok, so i am getting a 55 in like a week or two hopefully.
as for substrate i was going to use pool sand
filtration: aqueon 55
air pump with a 4 stones
lots of rocks
do i need to alter the ph? it is about at 6.2 to 6.8 strait out of the tap.
any other adive for starting/ ideas? i am going to get the aqueon 55 gallon deluxe kit. i can add a aqueon 20 filter that i have as well if necesary
any thoughts?
Yes, it is best if the pH is between 7.2-7.5 for african cichlids...
I don't think that you really need the air pumps but if that's what you want, it definitely wont hurt...
I would suggest you create many caves and hiding places as most cichlids feel more comfortable/less stressed...
I don't think that you really need the air pumps but if that's what you want, it definitely wont hurt...
I would suggest you create many caves and hiding places as most cichlids feel more comfortable/less stressed...