Angelo's Tanganyikan Cichlid Tank - May 2011 Update

A follow up to the original September 2010 video (see video response below).

Original species stock (before breeding):
Chalinochromis brichardi x2, cyprichromis leptosoma x8, Cyathopharynx furcifer x2, neolamprologus leleupi x2, Julidochromis ornatus x2, Lamprologus occelatus x3, lamprologus meleagris x2.

The tank was stocked on 3/14/10, and the video was taken on 9/1/10. In only 5 months, 4 of the species are successfully reproducing - I will need to thin out the population at some point! From what I can tell, none of the fry was eaten and all the fish cohabitate well.

The tank stays around 7.8ph. There is 90lbs of Caribsea Eco-Complete Cichlid substrate, as well as 90 lbs of (formerly live) reef rock. The large wood centerpiece likely softens the water, so the substrate and rock seem to stabilize it and bring it up to 7.8. I'd rather be at 8+, but the fish seem happy, so I don't bother to add buffer, other than during water changes.

There are 2 Eheim canisters filtering the tank.

Stocking suggestion based on the following article by Marc Elieson:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/tang_community_ii.php

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• African
• Tanganyikan
• Lake
• Tanganyika
• Cichlid
• FIsh
• Tank
• Community
• Aquarium
• Bowfront

[EverythingZen66]

How did you end up with your pairs? Did you have separate tanks for each species? I am setting up a 75 for Tanganyikans and would like to end up with stocking similar to yours. You've done a really good job- the tank looks great and the fish seem to get along so well. Have you thought about adding a couple Calvus- might cut down on the amount of Leleupis (future ones anyway)!

[angeloucciferri]

@EverythingZen66 When I stocked the tank, I started with the following: Chalinochromis brichardi x2, cyprichromis leptosoma x8, Cyathopharynx furcifer x2, neolamprologus leleupi x2, Julidochromis ornatus x2, Lamprologus occelatus x3, lamprologus meleagris x2. And the only species that haven't reproduced have been the lamprologus and the Chalinochromis brichard.

[apanhaesta]

great tank,but overstocked,shell dwellers without shell's is like a cyclist without a bike!

[angeloucciferri]

@apanhaesta I know...I am trying to find a home for some leleupi. None of my LFS will take them since I am not a breeder. I might have to turn to Craigslist.

Regarding the Shellies...they abandoned their shells a long time ago. I actually have 10+ shells scattered around the tank, and they lived in them for a while. But they seemed to have lost interest in them. I periodically clean out the shells and they do hang in them for a while - but they end up joining the rest of the tank.

[qwertiopist]

time to take out some leleupi.

[angeloucciferri]

@qwertiopist I know...I need to get rid of some of those guys before they get full size! The problem is, I can't find a fish store who will take them since I am not an actual "breeder". Those guys are worth $15-$20 each!

[sledge760]

Very Very nice.

[Cypdudedave]

Nice fish and the tank looks great I only have one lemon cichlid as he killed all my others but he leaves my multi shellies alone go figure, would love more though! maybe in my next tank

all breeding so you are doing well! I have about 80 shells in for my multis only about 30 of them plus fry so more shells for the occies may help they will bury about half my occies do, have them in another tank they cool tough little fellas

[Galloyien]

Can never have enough Leleupi. I have a breeding pair. 25-35 small babies, and they just ate the eggs after I removed the parents. Wasn't aware I had eggs under a rock until it was too late. Surprised you are having a hard time selling/trading them.

[woncameron24]

The song is great. Should be on the Weather Channel. I mean that as a compliment.