Planing to get cichlid aquarium...

[M.Minogue]

Hi.Im planing to get a malawi or tanganyka cichlid aquarium.I have 128L aquarium,2-3mm coral sand and rocks.Is 1200L/h filter too much for this aquarium?Which fish would you put in it?

[Oscar_freak12321]

I'm not too familiar with Africans, but I can tell you one thing; there can never be too much filtration. Go for it, it will help a lot in the long run.

[M.Minogue]

Can i put in brichardi or marlieri?

[Oscar_freak12321]

I'm not one to ask, since I haven't done very much with Africans, but someone like Celtic Fins would be a lot more helpful than me. Still, the more filtration the better.

[btate617]

I don't have a lot of time right now but I would say yes to both. Will post later when I have more time. you can google both and get some info also.

Brian

[toddnbecka]

That's a relatively small tank for cichlids, but you could keep either brichardi or marlieri well enough. Only thing to watch out for, don't get the J. marlieri Gombe variant. They're more aggressive than the other Julies. If you can find some transcriptus they're the mildest of the clan as far as aggression. Whatever you choose, I'd recommend starting with a small group and swapping off the extras once you have a pair established.

[M.Minogue]

Can i put in a pair of each?

[toddnbecka]

Brichardi will take over the entire tank as they spawn, eventually pushing out or killing any fish in their territory. In the case of a small tank the whole thing is their territory. They really need to be kept in a species tank unless the tank is huge, and contains other fish large enough to eat some of the brichardi as they expand their territory. If you want to spawn/raise fry an established pair of either would be fine, but they're not compatible species.

[btate617]

Brichardi will take over the entire tank as they spawn, eventually pushing out or killing any fish in their territory. In the case of a small tank the whole thing is their territory. They really need to be kept in a species tank unless the tank is huge, and contains other fish large enough to eat some of the brichardi as they expand their territory. If you want to spawn/raise fry an established pair of either would be fine, but they're not compatible species.


I misread and thought it was a 55gal tank. A 30gallonish tank I would pick one or the other as toddnbecka said. I do disagree however with brichardi taking over a tank, yes they will spawn and keep the group together. However in my experience the pair will only claim a small area for themselves. And as the other fry move further and further out they will get picked off by other fish.

Brian

[toddnbecka]

I had a breeding pair of gracilis (a closely related species) in a 55 community. All but a couple of the first spawn were picked off, but with each subsequent spawn the group (and their territory) grew larger. Older fry help guard the younger ones. By the 4th spawn they had half the tank, and were guarding more eggs.

[btate617]

In a 30 gallon tank lets say he has 50 fry each spawn. By the time time 4th spawn are getting bigger now he has 200+ fish in that tank, probably closer to 400-500. I don't see him getting to a forth spawn in that tank with out doing something with most of the fry even if he makes it a species only tank. I just don't see it happening. Even in a 55gallon tank if you have a breeding pair of cichlids and they only take over half your tank you should be happy.

Brian

[toddnbecka]

It wouldn't be so bad if the stopped with half the tank, but as they produce more fry their territory expands. I moved the breeding pair and fry to a 38. Eventually that tank became too crowded, the new spawns of fry were eaten, amd the growing fry were becoming deformed.

[btate617]

It wouldn't be so bad if the stopped with half the tank, but as they produce more fry their territory expands. I moved the breeding pair and fry to a 38. Eventually that tank became too crowded, the new spawns of fry were eaten, amd the growing fry were becoming deformed.

Yep thats what I meant by him not having to worry about making it to far along generations in a 30 gal. I think they are one of the cooler cichlids in how their fry stick around to help with the next batch. I never had a problem with mine when i kept them but others that I know have said theirs killed everything off.

Brian

[M.Minogue]

Today i find out there is no any brichardi or other tanganyka cichlids in my area :(.The local pet shops keep only malawi cichlids.Im so angry right now!!!!I was so looking forward for brichardi...Since i cant have any tanganyka cichlids how would cynotilapia afra feel in there?The worker in the shop said they dont need very big aquariums.Is that true?If it is how much of them should i put in there?Is there any malawi cichlids for that size tank?Thank you all for your answers!

[toddnbecka]

I have no idea about how likely it may be to work for you, but have you considered ordering fish online and having them shipped? For that matter, would any local shops be willing to order some Tang cichlids for you?
There really aren't many Malawi cichlids suitable for a smaller tank, but you may get by with 1m/4-5f afra. Just be sure there's plenty of caves/cover available.