Frontosa Envy

Anyone care to offer an opinion on stocking a 75gal for an initial setup.
After making an initial mistake by stocking ten mixed mbuna from Pet
Supplies ( I know I've got two to three auratus that everyone tells me to
get out of there) I've now decided that I would like a Frontosa. Do you
think this tank is big enough? Also if I go that route, what other smaller
fish would go with it. This setup is to go in my office and essentially I'm
looking for a setup that will not be hard to maintain, will provide a lot of
interest for myself and one that will draw attention from others.

The seup is as follows:
(1) cichlid mix sand as substrate
(2) 80lbs of lava rock
(3) one Fluval 404 filter
(4) ten mixed mbuna (I know that normally these don't go with Frontosa -
what to do?)
(5) from my old tank - two angels, four neons, one pleco (they'll have to go
I'm sure but for the time being seem to be okay in the high pH)

Also, what should I be looking to pay for a Frontosa that's small and who's
a good source. I'm not necessarily looking for a high quality breeder. What
is the minimum number that I can stock. Is one or two okay?

All opinions greatly appreciated.

Frontosa will outgrow a 4-ft tank in a few years and some variants
will be brutal to smaller fish. I have a 75-gallon setup with:

6 Opthalmotilapia Ventralis 2m/4f
8 Cyprichromis Leptosoma 2m/6f
2 pr Neolamprologus Leleupi
4 Altolamprologus Calvus 1m/3f
2 pr Julidochromis
6 Neolamprologus Brevis

The tank has plenty of color and activity from the bottom to the top
without too much aggression.

--

Mark
http://www.cichliddomain.com


"Pokey" wrote in message
et...
Anyone care to offer an opinion on stocking a 75gal for an initial
setup.
After making an initial mistake by stocking ten mixed mbuna from Pet
Supplies ( I know I've got two to three auratus that everyone tells
me to
get out of there) I've now decided that I would like a Frontosa. Do
you
think this tank is big enough? Also if I go that route, what other
smaller
fish would go with it. This setup is to go in my office and
essentially I'm
looking for a setup that will not be hard to maintain, will provide
a lot of
interest for myself and one that will draw attention from others.

The seup is as follows:
(1) cichlid mix sand as substrate
(2) 80lbs of lava rock
(3) one Fluval 404 filter
(4) ten mixed mbuna (I know that normally these don't go with
Frontosa -
what to do?)
(5) from my old tank - two angels, four neons, one pleco (they'll
have to go
I'm sure but for the time being seem to be okay in the high pH)

Also, what should I be looking to pay for a Frontosa that's small
and who's
a good source. I'm not necessarily looking for a high quality
breeder. What
is the minimum number that I can stock. Is one or two okay?

All opinions greatly appreciated.

"Pokey" wrote in message
et...
Anyone care to offer an opinion on stocking a 75gal for an initial
setup.
After making an initial mistake by stocking ten mixed mbuna from Pet
Supplies ( I know I've got two to three auratus that everyone tells me
to
get out of there) I've now decided that I would like a Frontosa. Do you
think this tank is big enough? Also if I go that route, what other
smaller
fish would go with it. This setup is to go in my office and essentially
I'm
looking for a setup that will not be hard to maintain, will provide a
lot of
interest for myself and one that will draw attention from others.

A 75g should hold some Fronts comfortably for at least 6 to 9 months.

The seup is as follows:
(1) cichlid mix sand as substrate

Won't make any difference to the Fronts, other than it's buffering their
water.

(2) 80lbs of lava rock

I'm not fond of abrasive stones, ymmv

(3) one Fluval 404 filter

Good filter but I think it's rated for 100g, so you only have 25g of
margin. Large fish like Fronts will use part of that margin if you feed
them a lot, which you should (I think they are carnivorous piscivores,
not unlike Oscars in many aspects). Slap a box filter on the side if you
ever need a bit more horsepower.

(4) ten mixed mbuna (I know that normally these don't go with
Frontosa -
what to do?)

In a larger tank with lots of low rockwork, this might work. In a 75g,
with established mbuna and new juvenile Fronts, I seriously fear for your
Fronts. Buy another tank? ;o)

(5) from my old tank - two angels, four neons, one pleco (they'll have
to go
I'm sure but for the time being seem to be okay in the high pH)

Key phrase: 'for the time being' ;~)

Also, what should I be looking to pay for a Frontosa that's small and
who's
a good source. I'm not necessarily looking for a high quality breeder.
What
is the minimum number that I can stock. Is one or two okay?

The cheapest I see small Fronts for is $16 to $18cdn (retail). I've
owned Fronts 3 times and each time, I purchased 6, and had no losses
(they are hardy, don't buy extra, I gave them away whenever I moved
cities). With Oscars (same size as Fronts), the guideline is 1 to a 55g,
2 to a 90g. IME, Fronts do not grow as fast as Oscars. I can't put more
than 6 Fronts in my 120g, and 2 in a 60g would be pushing the limits when
they were full grown, but 3 or 4 in a 75g would be ok for a while (if you
didn't have a bevy of mbuna in there). What size is your next tank? ;~)
When you have 4 Fronts who just need a bigger home, your options are to
give them away (very easy, you will make some money on the transaction as
breeders look for larger Fronts for spawning), or upgrade the tank (the
more likely action). You have a few years, to grow the Fronts and lose
the 'assorted' mbuna for some more compatable Tangs, Haps or similar.
JMO
NetMax

All opinions greatly appreciated.