Cyprichromis or Altolamrologus?

[Exiled]

For anyone who's had Tanganyikan tanks: Do you think I could have a few JUVINILE (we're talking itty bitty babies here) Altolamprologus or Cyprichromis in a 12 gallon currently holding 5 juvinile Neolamprologus occelatus? This is with the understanding that, as they mature, they will be relocated to a larger tank. And believe me, more tanks are in my future. I'm steadfastly addicted to cichlids.


--Lee

 

[thecichlidaddict]

How long would this be for? IMO it's would be best to wait until you get the new tanks, or perhaps set up a seperate holding tank for the new fish if you don't want to miss out on some sort of deal. 12 gallons is very tiny and these fish can be pretty sensitive to less then ideal water conditions, and with a schoal of cyps, the altos, and the shellies that would be a pretty packed tank, even as babies, IMO.

 

[Exiled]

Ok, good avice--I will wait for larger tanks for some altos/cyps. But here's another question: The 12 gallon eclipse is sort of a tall tank, and of course the occelatus stay in the lower two inches (finally using all their shells) It's amazing what they do with them!. So, any suggestions for a small tanganyikan who's realm is the upper area of a tank to make the rest of the tank more lively? Also--do you think the compact bulb in the 12 gallon eclipse is strong enough for live plants like vallis, anubias and crinkle fern (sorry don't know the sci-name of it).

--Lee

 

[tdins_2]

nah u can get altolamprologus species the grow very slow and can defend themselfs and dont need too much room

 

[surfer3]

In my opinion the cyps are a definite no in that tank. They need lots of swiming space and would not fit in that tank plus they need to be kept in a group of at the least 6.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

A smaller but tough schooling type fish would work to fill the upper reaches of the tank. Danio's come immediately to mind but I'm sure there are others, maybe a few serpae tetras...

As for the light it will work as long as you stick to low light plants.

 

[Exiled]

Danio's?, Tetras?.... . This is a Tanganyikan tank only..... I'm one of those "biotope" snobs.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

In that case there isn't much you can do

 

[Exiled]

 

[tdins_2]

imo i think u could house a small calvus in there i have a calvus gold and it is tiny its maybe an inch long and about 2-3 months old and has gfrown about maybe a millimeter in that time i doesn't require a lot of swimming space i dont think because mine just plays with his shel (has a habbit of getting his head stuck in the middle ) and likes to dig but otherwise hes calm and i think he could be housed in there for a month or 2

 

[Exiled]

I didn't realize that Alto's are also shelldwellers--I'm new to Tanganyikan fish. What I ended up doing is putting alot of live java fern in the tank to give the rest of its volume some interest. The occelatus are incredible to watch, but it's a whole lot of tank height for these bottom shell-dwellers. I'm condsidering a schooling tropical fish like what cichlid addict suggested.... but I have to do some research as to what will be ok.... see the pH is 8.3, KH is 13 and GH is 19.
One more thing if anyone's reading this: My occelatus aren't really chowing down too well on their flake food. But they are too small to eat tabs or pellets. What do you have success feeding your occelatus?

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Hey Exiled

Altolamps are not shell dwellers, they are rock dwellers, but they won't hesitate to use shells if they are provided with suitable ones.

Have you tried frozen invertibrates for them?

 

[Exiled]

frozen inverts like worms/snails?----or brine shrimp? Can you suggest a good brand? These occelatus are really small still-- about 2 cm.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Brine shrimp, mysis - that sort of thing. Not worms, and I don't think they'd eat snails.

For those young fish frozen brine shrimp would be perfect. I don't know that brand really matters much with frozen foods, but I use Hikari and it works well enough.

 

[Exiled]

Thanks cichlidaddict--the frozen brine shrimp are a hit with the occelatus! (only thing is, it makes the water smell HORRID) I have to do water changes more often now--but at least the fish are happy )