Advice for a 40g

[Nico Kist]

Hello,

a 40g tank is becoming availible soon. I was wondering what I should
put in it. My water is PH7.5 and DH 8. I have done some experiments
with dwarf cichlids and have decided that I would like to try the big
versions.

I think there are three biotopes that match my water chemistry:

Lake Malawi, does have pretty mbuna's, how many would go in my 40-45
gallon tank? I've read figures all the way from 6 to 15.

Lake Tanganyika, I already have a couple of neolamprologus similis. It
would be nice if I could put those with a bunch of big colourful
cichlids.I like how you have such a variety in species. The
shelldwellers on one side and a bunch of rock dwellers on the other
side. How many rock dwellers( like the altolamprologus compressiceps)
would go well with the shelldwellers?

Central American, I really like some of the big central american
cichlids. but I think that most of them are too big for the 40 gallon


Now, looking at the list above I think that my real question is, how
many altolamprologus sp. can go with a colony of shelldwellers in a
40g tank?

Thanks!

Nico

[Amateur]

"Nico Kist" > wrote in message
om...
> Hello,
>
> a 40g tank is becoming availible soon. I was wondering what I should
> put in it. My water is PH7.5 and DH 8. I have done some experiments
> with dwarf cichlids and have decided that I would like to try the big
> versions.
>
> I think there are three biotopes that match my water chemistry:
>
> Lake Malawi, does have pretty mbuna's, how many would go in my 40-45
> gallon tank? I've read figures all the way from 6 to 15.
>
> Lake Tanganyika, I already have a couple of neolamprologus similis. It
> would be nice if I could put those with a bunch of big colourful
> cichlids.I like how you have such a variety in species. The
> shelldwellers on one side and a bunch of rock dwellers on the other
> side. How many rock dwellers( like the altolamprologus compressiceps)
> would go well with the shelldwellers?
>
> Central American, I really like some of the big central american
> cichlids. but I think that most of them are too big for the 40 gallon
>
>
> Now, looking at the list above I think that my real question is, how
> many altolamprologus sp. can go with a colony of shelldwellers in a
> 40g tank?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Nico

Although not primarily piscivores, A. compressiceps will sometimes feed on
smaller fish. For this reason, they wouldn't be the ideal tankmates for shell
dwellers. You could do a male and three female compressiceps with perhaps N.
daffodils, or N. pulcher. N. leleupi may also be workable. You could also look
into some of the dwarf julies, although the A. compressiceps may harass them if
not given adequate space. But if you set up the tank with areas, you could do a
pair of julies with three compressiceps.
AC
www.amateurcichlids.com

[Nico Kist]

Hey,

Thanks for the reply, for the moment I decided to go with 4 unsexed A.
compressiceps, 2 L. Brichardi, and 3 N. Similis.

I will probally have to change this setup in the future, moving out the
similis and putting in some leleupi. but for the moment the compressiceps
are small enough to make this possible.

One more question, with this setup, would a pair of Neolamprologus
tretocephalus be an option? I like the frontosa look of those guys :)

Nico

[Amateur]

"Nico Kist" > wrote in message
...
> Hey,
>
> Thanks for the reply, for the moment I decided to go with 4 unsexed A.
> compressiceps, 2 L. Brichardi, and 3 N. Similis.
>
> I will probally have to change this setup in the future, moving out the
> similis and putting in some leleupi. but for the moment the compressiceps
> are small enough to make this possible.
>
> One more question, with this setup, would a pair of Neolamprologus
> tretocephalus be an option? I like the frontosa look of those guys :)
>
> Nico

The N. tretocephalus get large for a 40 gallon tank, although they are slow
growers and you probably won't run into any problems for a while. A pair of N.
sexfasciatus "blue" may be a better option. Although they will also eventually
outgrow the tank, they're not quite as aggressive as the N. tretocephalus. If
you end up with a pair of N. brichardi, you'll find that they can become quite
aggressive while breeding. They'll more than likely dominate half the tank. So
that'll be something else to keep an eye on. Hope everything works out for you.
AC
www.amateurcichlids.com

[Nico Kist]

Hello,

Thanks for all your replies. I bought the aformentioned list before
reading your reply am starting to experience what you said about the
Brichardi's. They are definitely the dominant couple at the moment. I do
have a a 14 gallon tank availible for when/if they become excessively
aggressive.

I hadn't looked into sexfasciatus yet. and will start doing so. I like
the looks of those guys. Too bad the fish aren't just a tiny bit smaller :)

Nico

PS: Are you ever on IRC or any other sort of chat/IM? It would be nice
to pick your mind in a more direct manner :)

[Amateur]

"Nico Kist" > wrote in message
...
> Hello,
>
> Thanks for all your replies. I bought the aformentioned list before
> reading your reply am starting to experience what you said about the
> Brichardi's. They are definitely the dominant couple at the moment. I do
> have a a 14 gallon tank availible for when/if they become excessively
> aggressive.
>
> I hadn't looked into sexfasciatus yet. and will start doing so. I like
> the looks of those guys. Too bad the fish aren't just a tiny bit smaller :)
>
> Nico
>
> PS: Are you ever on IRC or any other sort of chat/IM? It would be nice
> to pick your mind in a more direct manner :)

I answer posts in the forum on my site on a daily basis. I also frequent the
chat room at www.cichlid-forum.com which also has a forum and a lot more members
than I have. It's a good site for digging up information.
AC
www.amateurcichlids.com