Lake Tanganyika Species • 50g big enough?

[littleolme]

I have a tank that I'd like to set up but I'm not sure it'll work so I have a couple of questions.

50 gallon (36"x18"x19")
4-6 Multies plus whatever babies are hanging around (already have these guys)
1 Calvus
10(?) non-jumbo Cyps

Is this combination viable with this tank size? I know what I need to make aquascaping work for the multies and calvus but I've read that cyps need some sort of overhang to create top territory. Best way to accomplish this? How well will one calvus generally control a group of multies fry? I would possibly like to see some of the fry make it but would like the calvus to help with population control.

[des]

No, I don't think the 50 gallon 3 ft length will be big enough. If you can not get a larger tank, I would exclude the cyprichromis. The multies and the 1 calvus is all I would keep temporary. Only my opinion.

[littleolme]

You don't believe that a 50 gallon would be large enough to house a group of multies and 1 calvus long term?

[des]

When I say temporary I was thinking more about the calvus going into a larger tank with more of them Ie. 1m3f type of setup. It will take a long time for the calvus to out grow the tank so you'll be okay.

[24Tropheus]

I am more worried by Cyps in a 36" tank than calvus being too big for multies. One small guy should be fine unless it grows big enough to threaten to eat the smallest female multies. Personaly in this size tank I would go for Paracyps rather the Cyps. Better at coping with short deap tanks.
All the best James

[DJRansome]

Yes you want 48" at least for even non-jumbo cyps. The multies and calvus would be great.

[littleolme]

How about the suggestion of paracyps? Good chance of success or risky? Would a calvus and male paracyps compete for territory in the rocks?

[24Tropheus]

Seems no one else wants to go with this. All I can say is I kept 8 young adult Paracyps with a multie colony in a 36"x12"x15" for six months. Both bred fine. I did eventualy move the Paracyps to a bigger tank but was braking up that tank anyway. Temp "summer" tank in my garage.

Unless someone has tried it and got bad results I think its worth a pop in your tank.
My experience of Paracyps with calvus elsewhere in larger tanks is they get on fine as the Paracyps gently get out of the way of calvus and the calvus do not bother chasing them. The calvus prefering low down caves and shells and the Paracyps high up overhangs. But I have not kept em together in a small tank.

All the best James

[littleolme]

Perfect, thanks James. I'll lbe putting the tank together later this summer or early fall, I'll update with my results.

[Charles]

you can keep paracyps. or non jumbo cyps in a 50g. I have done that many times before.

[24Tropheus]

you can keep paracyps. or non jumbo cyps in a 50g. I have done that many times before.

Yep 50g fine but a 36" long tank for Cyps long term? And with multies keeping em away from the bottom is kind of different from a species tank.
Interested in your experience mate not had success with adult Cyps myself in 36" long tanks in a communtity.

All the best James

[Charles]

try having the shell bed in the back corner with a few taller rocks around them. and open space for the cyps. The multi will venture out but they will only protect the rocky and shell bed area.