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View Full Version : New Tang tank, Brichardi got their own room, the rabbits! - long -



mpowers8
01-06-2004, 10:58 PM
Well, I posted about starting a 55g in the tank maintenance area the other day and said I would have some pictures and further input, so here it is. I am hoping that maybe these experiences can help others in similar situations.

My Brichardi started out in my 55g tall, it's 36 wide X 18 deep X 24 tall. Sandy substrate, all kinds of rocks and shale, they loved it. Unfortunately, when Brichardi love their area they breed. In 6 weeks, before I could even think of getting other fish, the male had managed to create 2 broods with two of the females and 1 brood with the smallest. All told it was over 120 fry at least. Knowing they owned the tank and would never accept tank mates I got another tank.

The new tank is a 20 Long and I put three of the Brichardi in it so they can just breed at will. I left the smallest female Brichardi in the 55-community tank with whatever fry survived the change in layout and addition of new fish. I used water from the established tank and also got some substrate called eco-complete African cichlid substrate that is supposed to be established so I’m hoping the cycle wont be too bad.

Now I have a community in the 55 of 2 wild Petricola, 2 Leleupi, 3 Tropheus Duboisi (Still Juvenile black with white spots), and one Brichardi that is caring for the fry that were left over from the change, about 6 or 10 I think. I have a sneaking suspicion that the Leleupi got the rest of the large (5 week old) Juvenile Brich. fry.

So far things have been great in both tanks, the Brichardi are probably going to have lots of 'fun' in their new tank and the community tank has a lot more variety and activity in it. I am thinking of rounding out the fish with C. Leptosoma, maybe a group of four or five, the males have great color. Anyone have any more suggestions?

I’m still very new to the hobby so please let me know what you think!

mpowers8
01-06-2004, 10:59 PM
20 Long

mpowers8
01-06-2004, 11:00 PM
pic3

mpowers8
01-06-2004, 11:00 PM
pic4

mpowers8
01-06-2004, 11:01 PM
pic5

trying to look like jaws coming at you :)

Petricolas rock!

mpowers8
01-06-2004, 11:01 PM
pic6

SGypsyMermaid
01-07-2004, 08:37 AM
and another fish freak is born...:twisted:

seriously, though, you're going to need to feed the tank to the tropheus' specifications...they are herbivores, whereas your other fish are meat eaters. tanks look great though.:D

mpowers8
01-07-2004, 08:42 AM
Thanks for the compliment!

I am feeding them Spirulina flakes mixed with some tropical flake every third feeding or so. I feel bad because the Petris and the Brichardi will eat just about everything there is, but those poor Loops are going to want some brine or bloodworms and that's a no-no.

I can only hope that they don't loose ALL their nice orange color from eating flakes so much.

SGypsyMermaid
01-07-2004, 08:47 AM
i'm pretty sure that it's okay to feed them brine shrimp once a week...but never bloodworms.

tikva18
01-07-2004, 09:47 PM
One of my leluepi lost its color and turned brown. I was able to get the color back with a steady diet of baby brine shrimp (I have fry in my tank)...I really would like to try the tropheus, but I need another tank first.
Happy fishing!