New tank, few questions.

[jaysun]

Hello, right now i have a 33G and getting a 100g tank next week, which will be a cichlid tank. I was wondering if i could keep my 3 colombian sharks with the african ciclids? they are only 2 1/2 inches long. Im planning on having A LOT of rocks and hiding places in my 100g more then enough room to hide. Or will be get picked on and eaten?

Also im new to cichlids, how many fish could i put in my 100g? Do i still have to worry about what im buying since its not a small tank?

Also im lucky to have tap water of 8.2ph and 11gh. Will adding coral and shells raise the ph more or just keep it stable?

thanks for the help
jay

[aharris]

Well, there will be a lot of potential residents for a tank that size. But you'll still have to take care about how many and what kind you put in that tank. The smaller the fish you keep in there, the more of them you will be able to have. Larger fish will need more personal space. I'm sure that you will find that there will still be some Malawis that would be too big for your tank (although they'll be rare).

You'll also need to worry about species compatibility. 100g of space will not assure that incompatible species will get along. You'll also need to plan your community up. 100g still won't be enough space for multiple males of some species.

So I would still do some good research on what you want just to make sure you won't run into any problems down the road.

[jaysun]

I been doing a lot of reading but im overloaded with the crazy names that i cant say :confused: haha and the amount.
Check out this tank (http://cichlids.com/gallery/tankgallery/IMG_0026) . I want to have lots of small fish, with crazy colors, like seen in the pic....I have a Big Als down the road with TONS of ciclids, guess i should write down all the names and go from there.


Could you give me a few names of the fish in that tank? the yellow ones, etc..

Thanks, and anything on the few questions i asked?

jay

[aharris]

I would guess that the most yellow ones are probably Labidochromis caerulius (sp?) or just Yellow Labs. The ones that look more orange could be any of a couple different varieties of mbuna.

Are you after a mbuna tank or a Hap tank?

[jaysun]

whats the diff? hah sorry
Tryed looking for those types at http://www.malawimayhem.com/
Can i mix, like i really like peacocks?
At www.ciclidsrecipe.com/cichlidschart/compchartimage.jpg it shows a chart of what is compatible, but really small..

so confused

[tom]

As aharris suggests, good research will more often than not result in a well-planned tank that's not only pleasant to look at but also provides a good home for your fish.

I don't know that using such compatibility charts serves as anything more than some broad beginning point. It seems to me that something that runs across several criteria (behavior, diet, water parameters) would be difficult to reduce to some magic box--something I think the author of that chart in fact warns about.

As to the fish in that pic:

Some of the other species I can make out in that photo include Labidochromis sp. "Hongi," (center of pic) Maylandia estherae (to the right), Maylandia lombardoi (center right), S. fryeri (to the lower right--that's a hap), the aforementioned Labidochromis caeruleus "Lion's Cove" (just below the lombardoi), Maylandia callainos (light blue one, center).

[aharris]

I always think the easiest way to do it is to find one fish that you really have to have. Research it so you can set up an optimal tank for it. Then, plan the rest of your fish around it.

Peacocks are beautiful fish. Just be warned, they are usually sold as juveiles and may tank a while to really get colored up. You'll have to be patient, but they're well worth it.

It also helps to know if you're interested in eventual spawning or display alone.

I would say Aulonocara, Otopharynx, and a Copidachromis species would make a nice core of fish. I particularly like the look of Copidachromis virginalis (dark to black with a bright yellow blaze along the top and dorsal fin).

[jaysun]

So when i go to:
http://www.malawimayhem.com/profiles.php?filter=AB
and i see all the types of fish starting with Aulonocara for example, all those fish will get along? and should have a tank just with Aulonocara or just peacocks for example? i like the smaller fish, and i think it would be great to fill my 100G with TONS of small fish. so much would be going on.

I looked up all those types, i like the aulonocara, love the Labidochromis, can peacocks get along with these types?
thanks

[aharris]

Peacocks are Aulonocara. They are generally given the common name of peacock because of their bright coloration and habit of strutting in the tank (swimming with all fins extended just for show).

Not all those fish on the list will get along. That's just a list of the different species of fish found in Lake Malawi. Some fish will never encounter each other in the wild. Some will compete disastrously in the home aquarium for the same territory. Some might even dine on soem of the others in the wild.

You can keep peacocks (Aulonocara) with Yellow Labs. Both have similar temperments and can adapt their dietary requirements to a common denominator.

The thing you have to watch out for with keeping two or more types of Aulonocara in the tank is cross-breeding. Female Aulonocara are virtually indistinguishable from species to species. If you go all male with your peacocks, then you may have trouble getting some of them to show their best coloration. That will likely vary from individual fish to individual fish. After all, all that color is intended to impress the ladies and if there aren't any in the neighborhood, some males just won't bother.

Remeber also, that the fish you're talking about will get to be about 5" so small is a relative term.

[jaysun]

Back to my orga. topic, could i stick my 3 colombian sharks in the tank? they make great catfish, bottom feeders. I love them so much, but if they are in danger then i wont.

[matt1066]

I dont thnk there in danger, maybe just a bit out of place. But if you like them, just keep them.

Regards,

Matthew

[SGypsyMermaid]

http://www.cichlidrecipe.com/cichlidchart/

[jaysun]

why did you reply to a 3 month old post?

[Chris Garrett]

We love you Jaysun~ OR Are you into saltwater now?How is your tank doing?Regards,Chris