46g stocking question

760 Views 12 Replies 4 Participants Last post by robertw, Mar 31, 2011

robertw

Discussion Starter · Mar 28, 2011

Some background, I recently picked up a new tank, and replaced it with my old one. I used to have a 55g long but I needed to down size a bit for my new place so I now have a 46 bow front.

So to the stocking question
I currently have 2 Altolamprologus compressiceps, 3 Neolamprologus brichardi, and 2 Julidochromis dickfeldi. Will I have a lot of issues with aggression in this tank? I also have some botia loaches that just sit in the caves not sure if having the loaches in the caves may not leave enough room for the brichardi.

Any advice and tips would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

triscuit

· #2 · Mar 28, 2011

Umm, well... the last thing you need to worry about is anyone leaving room for the brichardi. :lol:

My prediction is that your loaches will not last long. The brichardi will take what ever room they think they need, which may or may not involve killing all the other fish in the tank (no matter how big or small they are). Sometimes big julies and altos can hold their own against brichardi, and sometimes not.

You don't have much of a footprint to work with, so for this to work, you are going to need to build up. Try to have 2 stacks of rock on opposite ends of the tank, stacked as high as you can without risking a collapse. Use something like slate- not round rocks. Slate can be stacked and staggered to provide plenty of cover for fish. Incorporate your caves on different levels, and you might find this mix can work for you.

If you don't feel up to the challenge or want to avoid losing fish to aggression, remove two of the brichardi. They typically are safe as singles, but turn crazy once a pair is established.

See less See more

Save

robertw

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 28, 2011

Not what I wanted to hear lol.

I figured the julies would have to go since one is picking on the other, and is already being very territorial towards every other fish in the tank. The julie tries to get close to the loaches but they quickly gang up and stand their ground. My loaches are about 3-3.5" in size, brichardi about 1" now, astros and julies about 1" as well. I really like the astro's, they just mind their own business.

How long is it take for the brichardi to establish a pair? After reading the profiles all males won't work either, so I may just need to keep one

Finally, any Tanganyikan recommendations for a low aggression tank if I exchange the brichardi for anything else? I had mbuna before and I don't want anything as maddening as that experience was.

Save

robertw

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 28, 2011

If anyone could give me a few options for a stocking list. I may have to get rid of my modesta loaches, I have 5 atm.

The 3 brichardi and alto

The julie that is bullying the other

Bullied julie

I will be taking the bullied julie out as soon as I get home from work to a holding tank.

See less See more

Save

shellies215

· #5 · Mar 28, 2011

I don't understand downsizing. If you can find room for a 46, you can find room for a 55.

Save

GTZ

· #6 · Mar 28, 2011

55 is a foot longer than a 46BF.

Save

robertw

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 28, 2011

I actually liked the 55 much more than my 46. Was longer, not as tall and my plants, mbuna did much better in it. Since I made switch, the mbuna didn't have enough room, and I had to sell them off.

Save

triscuit

· #8 · Mar 28, 2011

Astros? Do you mean Altos?

Getting two of a species often ends with having one of a species when it comes to Tangs. You'd better move out that other julie before he's maimed or killed. J. dickfeldi can be pretty rambunctious, but don't have the killer reputation that brichardi have, except of course for their own kind.

Brichardi can start breeding when they're less than 2" long. From the looks of it, you don't have long to wait.

An easy, low aggression 46bf tank: Get a few more altos (a total of 5, so when they grow up you have a chance of ending up with more than one). Get rid of the julies, and 2 of the brichardi. Add shell dwellers (brevis and multies are low-aggression species). You could add a school of paracyps, but make sure you get at least six or they'll not do as well as they could.

See less See more

Save

robertw

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 28, 2011

triscuit said:
Astros? Do you mean Altos?

Getting two of a species often ends with having one of a species when it comes to Tangs. You'd better move out that other julie before he's maimed or killed. J. dickfeldi can be pretty rambunctious, but don't have the killer reputation that brichardi have, except of course for their own kind.

Brichardi can start breeding when they're less than 2" long. From the looks of it, you don't have long to wait.

An easy, low aggression 46bf tank: Get a few more altos (a total of 5, so when they grow up you have a chance of ending up with more than one). Get rid of the julies, and 2 of the brichardi. Add shell dwellers (brevis and multies are low-aggression species). You could add a school of paracyps, but make sure you get at least six or they'll not do as well as they could.

Why get 5 altos. do they generally kill each other off?

Save

triscuit

· #10 · Mar 28, 2011

Altos are harem breeders- two males are not easy to house in the same tank. With nearly all Tang cichlids, the general rule is to start with at least five in order to get a smaller number that are compatible. Extras are often turned in for credit at local stores. Unfortunately, the process of getting to a compatible group often involves the death of some fish.

Fish that don't fall into that category are colony fish- like cyps, paracyps, and multifaciatus. Many fish in the Lamprologus and Julidochromis families form pairs, where all other adults are rejected. Some calmer species like N. caudopuctatus and L. brevis will tolerate extra adults even after a breeding pair forms.

Save

robertw

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 28, 2011

I'll try to exchange the two julis and two brichardi. I left a message with the lfs to call me back on the exchange and if they can order a few brevis.

Save

robertw

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 28, 2011

i ordered 4 brevis (had to special order lol) from a salt water fish store, didnt think they could get me them, but come to find out theyre the only place around me that would. still waiting to hear back from the lfs i picked up the 2 julis and 2 brichardi on an exhange. i just want 2 more alto's for those 4 at this point.

Save

robertw

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 31, 2011

Well I got 2 additional alto's, they are quite small atm, in exchange for the 2 brichardi and 2 julis. So my stock list in the tank consists of 1 brichardi, 4 altos (2 yellow 2 black/white), and the 4 brevis that are coming in tomorrow.

On a side note I also have 5 modesta loaches (rarely seen) and 4 glass fish (temporarily holding for a friend). I moved my rock arrangement and built it up to leave space for the brevis and their shells (approx 10-12in diameter of tank space).

I hope this setup doesn't have to many issues.

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month