How many fish in a 46g bow-front tank?

[EricG]

If someone could answer this question difinitively, i'd really appreciate it. I have a 46 gallon bow-front aquarium with 8 Africans in it. All of the fish a juveniles now, but in the future??? I have a yellow lab, a Melanochromis Auratus, a Johannii, a Moorii, a red Empress and 3 others I got from Petsmart as assorted Africans. Also, a pleco.

I go to a really nice LFS now to get my fish and their take on it is, the more fish , the better. They say that if there are more fish instead of fewer, it cuts down on aggression towards any one fish too often. Maybe I agree with them because when I woke up this morning I found my lab huddled in the corner with all of its dorsal fin eaten away.

I've seen it answered the other way too. Not so many fish.

Thanks,

Eric

 

[phoenix]

im not an african expert but i can tell you some of your fish are not compatable. Labs are to peaceful to go with an Auratus and I believe the Johanii is as well.. And it is never a good idea to buy from an assorted tank if you dont know what it is you are getting.. And I am fairly certain as adults you are definately overstocked for your tank.

 

[EricG]

Thanks Phoenix,

No need to worry about the lab any more. Had to "bury" it tonight. The other fish took care of the overcrowding for me sadly enough.

 

[phoenix]

sorry about the lab but I think you still have a problem with compatablity but like I said im not an african expert hopefully one will help you more. I suggest you get rid of the Auratus I believe they are some of the more aggressive africans in your bunch

 

[CongoCalvus]

I don't know if it is your Auratus or not, but i have had both Auratus and Johannii and i have found that the Johannii is the aggressor in most cases. And IMO keeping a Moorii is not a good idea with these type of aggressive cichlids.
Maybey get rid of him and get some more Auratus and Johannii.(1 male=2 females)

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Hey Eric

The stocking levels that you have right now sund good, but the fish you have chosen are not good for the size of tank you have. In fact, the only species that was suitable is now dead, probably killed by the Auratus, possibly the johanni. If you continue with the fish that you have, you will most certainly have a disaster on your hands as the fish mature.

Auratus get too big and aggressive for that tank. Johanni are simply too aggressive. Moorii are not aggressive at all, but are pretty big fish, males growing to 10" - it will be fine for a while, assuming you take back the rest of the fish for more suitable species, but it will outgrow the tank.

Because of the size and shape of your tank, you need to keep to the less aggressive species. Worth considering:
Pseudotropheus Saulosi
Iodotropheus Sprengerae
Labidochromis Caeruleus
Pseudotropheus Acei
Aulonocara stuartgranti sp. ?

With these fish you don't need to overstock to control aggression. Take the overstocking idea very lightly, while it works with mbuna, that does not mean it works with all cichlids. Moorii and other haps do not appreciate overcrowding, as most of them are solitary fish. There are also down sides to overcrowding including less stable water, need for more filtration, and need for more frequent water changes and vacuuming. Overcrowded tanks also tend to have a slighlty different feel to them, fish will live more 'on edge' and have few chances to just chill out, so it depends what you are going for as well. I prefer my tanks less stocked, but others like to cram as many as they can without killing them - it's really based on personal preference and your willingness to maintain the tank.

 

[EricG]

Thanks for the advice TCA. I really like the stuartgranti's. I'm gonna have hell getting the fish out of there with all of the rock work in it. Probably have to take out all of the rocks. Oh, well. Live and learn. A tank full of peacocks would look awesome anyway.

Eric