[live2bet]

Hi everyone.
My 135g is almost ready :dancing: and wouldn't mind some suggestions on my stocklist.
I upgrade from a 20g (1 lonely red oscar ) to a 135g (hopefully around 30 african cicihlids).
My tank set up is http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/view ... p?t=172834

My main focus for stocking my tank are fishes which are able to follow my hand movement across the tank as if it is feeding time (i know i sound silly ) . Also i like fishes that are 4-6".
With these 2 things in mind, would anyone be able to give me some suggestions?

Thank you.
btw, i plan to use only rocks for my aquascape with crushed coral as my substrates.

 

[live2bet]

One more silly qestions.
What is the differences between Mbuna, Haps and Peacocks?
I've been doing alot of research in the library section and i still don't understand.
Can someone tell me please (in general)?

Thanks

 

[cichlidaholic]

What is the differences between Mbuna, Haps and Peacocks?
I've been doing alot of research in the library section and i still don't understand.
Can someone tell me please (in general)?

Well, they are 3 different genus, but I'm sure you know that. Peacocks and haps are generally more peaceful than mbuna. They have different dietary needs, and different space requirements. Female peacocks and haps are generally quite drab in appearance, and as far as breeding goes, many of them shouldn't be housed together if you plan on distributing fry.

As far as a fish that's going to follow hand movement at feeding time, they all fit the bill. But this is also going to depend on you stocking the tank appropriately so that the fish aren't stressed or skittish. Try to keep it out of high traffic areas, as well.

Kim

 

[cichlidaholic]

Some of the haps might exceed your size limitations, too.

Kim

 

[namelessjoker]

I my self have a mix of many things in my tank. From Yellow Labs to Fron's to Venustus to Johanni's as wells as some peacocks mixed in like sunburst and strawberry's. All look to be doing well and have had them all in the same tank for about 6 months now with no losses.

Alot of people would say I have a few NO NO's going on but I like it. It is all in a 125g stacked full of rock. As stated above tho, some may outgrow the tank which means either be ready to trade them off or cramp them up.

 

[gaqua]

Well, they are 3 different genus, but I'm sure you know that. Peacocks and haps are generally more peaceful than mbuna. They have different dietary needs, and different space requirements. Female peacocks and haps are generally quite drab in appearance, and as far as breeding goes, many of them shouldn't be housed together if you plan on distributing fry.

I thought the only one that was its own genus was the Peacocks, or Aulonocara?

As the mbuna and haps have a lot of genus, like Cynotilapia, Pseudotropheus, Labidocrhomis, Protomelas, etc.

 

[shimby]

if you want a fish that will follow your hands, that is easy. Just get a whole crew of zebras. Yellow Labs, etc. they are like puppies. but pretty much most tank raised fish mbunas will follow your hand because they are always looking to get fed.

 

[live2bet]

Thanks everyone.

I was at a lfs and some of the african cicihlids that they kept will dash to my finger when i put my finger on the glass and that amazed me ,except the peacocks though (manager's reason being they were too frighten ).
i bet this discussion about the finger thing sounds really really silly, so much so i wanted to lied to everyone that it was "my son" who was amazed :lol:

anyway please send in all comments as "my son" would really appreciate.

 

[live2bet]

This is looking tougher than i expected.......
Too many options.....

SOMEBODY GIVE ME A LIST

Thanks again

 

[live2bet]

i would be dissapointed with myself if i walk into Petsmart and get a bunch of Mixed African Cichlids :-?

Not happening, spent too much time into this project.

 

[cichlidaholic]

Well, they are 3 different genus, but I'm sure you know that. Peacocks and haps are generally more peaceful than mbuna. They have different dietary needs, and different space requirements. Female peacocks and haps are generally quite drab in appearance, and as far as breeding goes, many of them shouldn't be housed together if you plan on distributing fry.

I thought the only one that was its own genus was the Peacocks, or Aulonocara?

As the mbuna and haps have a lot of genus, like Cynotilapia, Pseudotropheus, Labidocrhomis, Protomelas, etc.

That's correct...I didn't say that just right! :thumb:

That was pretty vague...There are also different genus of haps. I shouldn't have said it that way, I should have said that they are all from different groups, and then gone into detail, but I don't believe the OP was asking for that.

Kim

 

[gaqua]

Oh no problem I was just confused - I thought I had completely misunderstood something!

 

[namelessjoker]

You want a List huh. Heres a list of fish I like that fall into Mbuna.

Pseudotropheus sp. "Zebra Long Pelvic"
Pseudotropheus Sp. (Elongatus Chewere)
Metriaclima Callainos (Cobalt Blue)
Melanochromis johanni
Labidochromis sp. Hongi
Pseudotropheus Sp. (Msuli)
Pseudotropheus sp.red zebra "cherry red'

Check out http://bluegrasscichlids.com/home.html

 

[live2bet]

Thanks namelessjoker.

Seem interesting. Mbuna are beautiful but from what i read, they are more difficult to keep compare to Haps and Peacocks. Is that due to their aggressive behaviours?

Thanks again.

 

[cichlidaholic]

The only difficulty I can see in keeping mbuna is in picking your stock list carefully, housing them in a large enough tank, and getting the proper male/female ratios.

But, you have to do the same thing with haps and peacocks...

And it's worth ever bit of the work you put into it!

 

[live2bet]

If i do decide to have a mix of Haps and Peacocks stock, should i start with the juvenile? How long does it take for them to get to be about 4-6"?

Thanks

 

[cichlidaholic]

If you want to go all male, I'd go with larger fish that are already showing good colour. It makes life alot easier than pulling females and subdominant males later. Of course, that's all going to depend on what's available in your area!

 

[live2bet]

Thanks cichlidaholic.

Anymore suggestions?

Thanks

 

[cichlidaholic]

What size tank is this?

 

[live2bet]

This is my current setup...

135g glass
2x Aquaclear 110
1x XP4
2x Stealth 250W heater
Crushed coral substrate (pretty sure)
Mexcio lava rock (in the process of cleaning up, just got yesterday)
No real plant intended.

All suggestions with stocklist are welcome
Thanks