[MNcichlid]

Greetings folks! I wanted to get your advice on my attempt at a peacock tank....

Due to a mass genecide in my tank a few weeks ago (Demonasi, Yellow Labs, and Acei) I unfortunately have to start over. Worst day ever! (in fish keeping that is)

What do the experts think about this stock list for my 75 gallon. PLEASE ignore the spelling as I didn't want to look each one up.

* Chilosi
* Sulferhead
* Ngara Flametail
* Ruby Red
* Baenschi
* Blue Neon
* Lwanda

I have two Eheim Filers, 4 ft 75 gallon tank, fairly heavy rock work with open swimming space, 3M color quartz substrate. Water tests great, I have had two clown loaches chilling for a week, we are ready to roll![/list]

 

[Gibbs]

I think you might be asking for trouble with that mix of fish.
The trick is to mix fish that look nothing like each other and a few of them look very similar and will see each other as compitition

 

[MNcichlid]

Thanks Gibbs.
Which fish do you think would be the problem in that list?
I thought that list had some variation in color.

 

[LexBubble]

My experience with peacocks is that only a few males will reach their full potential. For example I got a male stuatgranti blue regal that had good coloration to begin with but lost much of his luster when I intergrated him with my more dominant males. Same with a Lwanda I got. However I got one of the most beautiful Eureka Reds I have ever seen and when I first purchased him he was very bland.

Get the species you believe look best for you and be patient. Their colors take time to develop but when they do they are beautiful. Any combo will be fine I think because peacocks are less aggressive than say mbunas.

 

[Gibbs]

All of your peacocks should colour up to their full potential, it's only when you add more then one of the same species that the colour will drown out through the pecking order.

I would be careful with the Baenschi they are very closely coloured to the blue neon and even the Lwanda, you may have a problem there

Instead of the yellow Baenschi maybe add the Hansbaenschi Red Shoulder (Chiloelo), completely different colour fish to what you have and you will be removing 1 of the 3 yellows you listed

Feed them a good diet like NLS and a good quality flake. You must keep them healthy then they will colour up nicely for you

I was also meant to say in my last post to make sure there is alot of swimming room for these guys which may require removing some rocks. Also consider adding 2-3 more peacocks/haps (haps that don't grow to big) like 1 oto Lithobates, 1 Copadichromis Azureus, 1 Placidochromis Electra
Adding a few more will spread aggression

 

[copasetic]

I find stocking a all male tank becomes a matter of what u can get not what you want.. Unless your rich and can order away at will.

 

[Fish_Dude]

That's right, sometimes you can't fine the fish you're looking for. That's where it becomes more of a 'collection' rather than just a tank.

Concerning your stock list...

* Chilosi - Not familiar...
* Sulferhead - had bad luck keeping them outside of a species tank, but your luck may vary.. maybe you should try a O. Lithbates. They're a great hap for peacock tank.
* Ngara Flametail - Good Choice
* Ruby Red - One of my favorites
* Baenschi - Goes awesome with Ruby Red, they're both the same size, they look very similar in shape, but the color contrast is awsome.
* Blue Neon - Prefer Flavescent.. more yellow, black dorsal... I've never gotten great color from a Neon, plus, there are multiple varients called 'blue neon.
* Lwanda - One Jake in your list... I personally prefere the Lemon Jake... I wouldn't keep more than one Jake in a 75g.

Also, add a Taiwan reef, one of the most beautiful fish in the lake...

If it were me, I would swap the neon for a flavesent.. or something blue like a Maisoni/Blue Regal/Mbenji type. Swap the Sulferhead for a O. Lithobats, Drop the Chilosi and add a Taiwan Reef. I'd also do a Midnight peacock.

Also, consider a Midnight Peacock...

Get a good Ruby Red. They're one of those fish that are easy to find, but hard to find quality.

 

[Fish_Dude]

Oh yeah, the Electras are a nice contrast.. a color that you don't find in peacocks. Highly recommended.

 

[F8LBITEva]

I had alot of aggression when I first started my all male 75G, I think the key was adding more haps and peacocks now I have about 15 in my 75 and everyone is fine. this will have to do until I get my 6 ft 125G.

 

[MNcichlid]

I appreciate the good advice!
Thankfully there are a few good breeders that I can reach out to around here.

Hopefully I can post a pic sometime! Thanks again.

 

[cichlids _killer]

u know what..? this's all male peacock tank just like a guessing game .i got 75 with all male , some are 2male same specie like ( taiwan reef, german red, eureka, cobue, some albino too but cant sex them yet) all get along just fine expect for one of my eureka and my strawberry ,they always want to kill each other..my point is they dont even look alike ..so get whatever fish u like and hope for the best....but dont mix peacock or hap with mbuna

 

[hollyfish2000]

Actually, you can have labs and p. acei in an otherwise all male peacock/hap tank. I do it and so do many others. I have no issues. It appears that rusties also can work in a male tank, but I don't have one so I can't speak from experience.