[cater20155]

I am wanting to add a N. venustus and a "Phenochilus Tanzania" to my 125 gal all male hap/peacock tank. I am concerned that I will have to many fish/big fish once the fish reach adult/full size. Any and all opinions are welcome. Thanks for the help.

Current stock list and size: 29 total fish
1 Aulonocara "German Red" 4in
1 Aulonocara jacobfreibergi "Eureka Albino" 4in
1 Aulonocara jacobfreibergi - Lemon Jake 4in
1 Aulonocara stuartgranti - Flametail 3in
1 Aulonocara stuartgranti - Flavescent 3in
1 Aulonocara sp. "Stuartgranti Maleri" 4in
1 Aulonocara sp. "Walteri" 4in
1 OB Peacock 4.5in
4 Labidochromis caeruleus 4in
1 Placidochromis electra 4in
1 Protomelas spilonotus (Mara Rocks) 7in
1 Protomelas sp. "Spilonotus Tanzania" 6in
1 Protomelas taeniolatus - Red Empress 6in
1 Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" (Ngara) 4in
1 Sciaenochromis fryeri 4in
1 Tramitichromis sp. "Intermedius" 3.5in
1 Lethrinops sp. "Red Cap" 4in
1 Chilotilapia rhoadesii 4in
2 Fossorochromis rostratus both are 5in
1 Frontosa 7in
1 Yellow Princess 8in
4 Syno cats

 

[noki]

The fish are that big already? Yes, that is a lot of fish already, size wise.

 

[cater20155]

I've had most of the fish since they were around the 2in range, some were a bit bigger, they have been in the tank for about a year now.

 

[smithc1986]

Sounds close to what I'm going for. Any pics?

 

[cater20155]

Noki - what would you suggest for a number of fish for a 125gal? In the long run, pending any aggression issues, do you think my stock list as of right now will work in the future or should I be looking to reduce my numbers?

I will try to get pics to post...I have some saved, but they are on my girlfriends camera.

 

[RRasco]

You said they have been in there a year? If your filter is handling it, you're doing water changes, and there are no aggression issues, whats the problem? If it works, it works. Don't let anyone tell you what you should have. If you feel you have too many big fish, get rid of a few. If its working, continue to let it.

 

[Glaneon]

I have 36 mbuna (+3 other Malawi) in my 125. Largest is around 4.5". Smallest are the Cytocara Moorii at 2".

Right now it's working well. I'm going to change out some for some Maingano I think... depends on how my F2 Fry turn out.

 

[jimmie]

Shh in my 150 gl I have about 25-30 in my tank ,an they all haps
:lol:

 

[Guest]

whenever i order fish, the vendor sends this african cichlid guide email which i found very helpful as far as nitrates are concerned.. the end all be all of how many fish is too many is to check your nitrates... when they go up to a level thats stress its too much.. but here ill copy and paste the guide they sent me... i have over 40 haps and peacocks and Mbuna in my tank right now and the nitrates arent a problem.. granted my fish arent full grown yet but these numbers in this guide are for full grown fish (i asked)

. Stocking Levels VS How big is the tank in gallons
a. These notes explain how many fish can fit into the tank. For example the first line is
explaining that in a 30 gallon tank 8 would be lightly stocked, 12 would be average
stocked, and 15 would be densely stocked.
i. 30 gallon = 8, 12, 15
ii. 50 gallon = 15, 20, 25
iii. 75 gallon = 25, 30, 35
iv. 90 gallon = 30, 35, 40
v. 125 gallon = 35 , 45, 50
vi. 150 gallon = 40, 50, 60
vii. 250 gallon = 60, 80, 100
viii. 500 gallon = 100, 130, 175
b. Stocking levels will determine a balance between water quality and aggression
i. The lighter you stock the less you will have to change the water but the
more the fish can damage each other due to aggression
ii. The heavier you stock the tank the less likely your fish are to damage each
other due to aggression. They will still chase each other around all day but
this method of dense stocking I have deemed â€Å"chaos theoryâ€Â

 

[DJRansome]

Edited to remove vendor name. Sounds like those stocking guidelines would sell a lot of fish to me if the species are full-sized mbuna maturing at 6". Not too bad if one of your choices is demasoni though.

 

[Guest]

*** seen that crowding/chaos theory other places and i really dont have much problems with aggression and i have alot of different species in my tank... no one fish really gets beat up too bad.. i mean once in a blue ill see a scale missing or a lil nipped fin but hey we are talkin about aggressive fish here... and like i said the end all be all of how many fish is too fish is your nitrates.. and even then you can just do more frequent water changes and be fine... like at the LFS im friendly with the workers at one near me and they have wayyyyyyyyyy too many fish in their tanks but its ok because they do partial changes every single day...we arent allowed to post vendor names? i guess thats considered spam? i was actually gonna ask in a different thread if people know of any other good sites to buy fish

 

[cater20155]

Well I've decided to pass on both fish for now. I may still add a Pheno in the future, I have a few fish I may be removing from the tank. My fryeri has had a bug in his butt for a few days and has been going ballistic on a few of my other fish, he may be re-homed in my uncles 120gal, along with the Acei.

I should have some pictures to post this weekend.

 

[DJRansome]

we arent allowed to post vendor names? i guess thats considered spam? i was actually gonna ask in a different thread if people know of any other good sites to buy fish

No not spam, but Cichlid-forum provides the Reviews section for vendor feedback and the Trading Post for any requests of a commercial nature (buy/sell). So there is a different place provided to keep it out of the forums.

 

[dtune21]

Cater, 29 fish for a 125g is not that many. If you see a few more fish that you like then go ahead and add them. I have about 36 fish in my 100g and everything is going well. Like you said about the fryeri, if a fish starts getting hyper aggressive then it may be time to trade him in. Otherwise enjoy your fish and get what you like. As long as you keep an eye on whats happening in the tank and keep up on the maintenance like I do you will be fine.

 

[jimmie]

man if that's the case,,guess what I'm go add 10 more fish in my tank :thumb: :fish: :dancing:

 

[jimmie]

Cater, 29 fish for a 125g is not that many. If you see a few more fish that you like then go ahead and add them. I have about 36 fish in my 100g and everything is going well. Like you said about the fryeri, if a fish starts getting hyper aggressive then it may be time to trade him in. Otherwise enjoy your fish and get what you like. As long as you keep an eye on whats happening in the tank and keep up on the maintenance like I do you will be fine.

what up dude I see you from New Orleans also...welcome

 

[Glaneon]

I have approx 40 in my 125.

Adding 6 tomorrow, but I plan on removing at least 2 soon (2 extra males).

 

[noki]

Didn't realize I was being controversial, I've overloaded tanks many times... :-?

Some of these fish can get 7-10". If you want the fish to be their best, it probably would be wise to make some choices and a rigorous water change regimen. You've already got a 7" Frontosa!

 

[cater20155]

I do a water change every week, 25 - 50%. I guess my biggest concern is to have my fish reach their full potential, size, color, etc. That is why I am concerned with my numbers. I want to keep the tank stocked full to keep aggression down, but I do not want to keep my fish cramped so they grow slow and do not not show their best color.

In the long run, I think my stock list will be about 25 fish, including the Syno's, once I remove a few fish. I plan on removing one of the Fosso's depending on what colors they show, the fryeri is out and waiting to be put in my uncle's tank, I believe I am going to send the acei back to the breeding group my friend has, he is not showing the best of color like he did with females, and the Flavescent is looking like a weak strain or a hybrid, its not showing very much black on the dorsal fin.

 

[Glaneon]

Mbuna may have better color as sub-adults in many cases. Depends on your taste.

I guess what I'm saying is: full grown doesn't equal best color
(I'm sure being full grown is best for some species)