I don’t think they are that delicate.... we had a few local hobbyist keep them in less than ideal situations and they never got bloat.
75g or 65B wet pet ideas...
- Thread starter DMD123
- Start date
That is what is so confusing, the stories of these fish are that they have a very high mortality rate. Yet I see quite a few venues of tank raised fish being sold. The other aspect I considered is that they can and do get very large. I have seen pics of 16" males though the internet says 14" more common. I think the fact the fish can hit 16" makes it a no go for the 90 gallon. I remember how large my 16" Pearsei was and how it made the 300 seem small, lol.
So the nasty cichlid is out, and still thinking of what I want to do. If the trimac still is a dud after all my medicated treatments, I might consider growing out a batch of young trimacs to get my big male. I have also considered another oscar. I really miss my Bumblebee and the opportunities to have got a Crassipinnis, Rubroocellatus, and a couple other specific catch locations.
Ideas list based off these fish being in stock at online stores:
90g Pick one of these as a focus fish and possibly add my community fish with it
Red Tiger Severum “Rio Curare” or
Chocolate cichlid
or go African? lol.
Seriously have always loved the blue dolphin cichlid. Would consider a solo male with some other small colorful cichlids.
or something in the 5 star general family?
or a Butterikoferi?
90g Pick one of these as a focus fish and possibly add my community fish with it
Red Tiger Severum “Rio Curare” or
Chocolate cichlid
or go African? lol.
Seriously have always loved the blue dolphin cichlid. Would consider a solo male with some other small colorful cichlids.
or something in the 5 star general family?
or a Butterikoferi?
fishguy1978
Legendary Member
The sev would be okay long term but I think you would need to move a chocolate to the 300.
Chocolate dont get that big do they? Oscar sized is my understanding... If it were something like a true parrot that can get big then maybe? Moving to the 300 would be a no go anyway, the amphilophus would tear it apart. Ive tried it in the past with a chocolate in a 210 gallon.
@fishguy1978 what about the sev with my agels, bristle nose pleco, Raphael cats and what not? This is supposed to be one of the bigger sevs. Pretty sure my current monk tetras would get ate, would need something just a bit bigger.
fishguy1978
Legendary Member
Everything but the tetras should be ok. I had tetras in the 90g when I first got the H.N. and pretty sure she ate them. She leaves the Cory cats alone. The H. Liberifer is in with an angel pair and there's a little aggression but not terrible. I have all 3 of my rafael cats in the 120 as well.
Well, I'm partial to Africans, so if I had a spare 90 lying about I'd go with the Blue Dolphin Cichlid, Cyrtocara moorii. These are not very aggressive cichlids, especially by Neotropical standards, and grow to a nice size, purportedly ~10", although I've never seen one that large. They do not do well with more aggressive fishes, and I wouldn't even think about keeping them with Neotropicals (for many reasons), rather, I'd set up the 90 as a species tank with one male and 3-4 females. Not the easiest maternal mouthbrooder to breed, but not the most difficult either, so fry might be a possibility. It's always fun to do something different.
There are a few African cichlids I like but dont think I can mix them well with only 90 gallons.
@sir_keith, what are your thoughts on this mix for a 90?
Here was a mix I was thinking of:
Cyrtocara moorii x1 male
Iodotropheus sprengerae small group
Labidochromis caeruleus small group 1 male / 3 females
Nimbochromis venustus x1
@sir_keith, what are your thoughts on this mix for a 90?
Here was a mix I was thinking of:
Cyrtocara moorii x1 male
Iodotropheus sprengerae small group
Labidochromis caeruleus small group 1 male / 3 females
Nimbochromis venustus x1
fishguy1978
Legendary Member
They get ~12in so it might work but I think a larger space would be needed.
That's not something I would recommend. First, C. moorii are social fishes, and they are never at their best when kept as single specimens. Second, Mbuna, even relatively non-aggressive species like those you've listed, are too hyperkinetic for C. moorii, and make them nervous. If you want to keep C. moorii with other Malawians, I would suggest a small group of 'Peacocks,' perhaps something like this 'Sunshine Peacock,' Aulonocara sp. stuartgranti 'Marlieri'-
C. moorii don't do well with the bigger 'Haps' because they are too easily bullied. That's why Aulonocara are reasonable tankmates: they're smaller and relatively low-key.
master chi
Member
I sort of agree with keith on this.except I see no reason they could not thrive in a 90g with a Labidochromis Caeruleus harem.I'd definitely skip the Rusties though. Adding them and Yellow Labs will bring the activity in that tank up by a lot. in my experience Iodotropheus Sprengerae are more aggressive than rumored. At least 1 level above Yellow Labs.No reason to go with just 1 Crytocara Moori either. As Keith eluded to they do great in groups.Actually they often seem to bunch together,almost like schooling when kept in a harem. Maybe do 1m4f L.Caeruleus,1m4f C.Moori,and throw in 4-6 synodontis Lucipinnis? But of course Aulonocara would also be a great choice for C.Moori tankmates.
master chi
Member
I've read on multiple occasion that Frontosa do well with C.Moori as well. if that is a consideration.
Thank you @sir_keith, @Betty, @master chi for all that info on a possible African set up. Gives me a lot to think about!
I love Frontosa but thought that would be too big for a 90...
master chi
Member
yes.I placed my palm to my forehead for that one,Lol!!
I have done Frontosa a few times in the past but in my 125 and my 180. Beautiful fish, but super skittish and knowing you, I think you would not enjoy that very much. It’s the same reason I sold my two separate groups ..... not the personality I was hoping for.
I agree. Frontosa are cute when they're little and relatively active, but as adults they are extremely mopey. If you like fishes with 'personality,' this is definitely not a species you will enjoy.
Some people keep front0sa and C. moorii together; others have found that this is not a happy combination. I would never keep them together because my personal preference is not to mix Malawians with Tanganyikans. Moreover, these species share a common niche, so there is always the potential for conflict. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but sometime. I prefer tanks in which the occupants are comfortable being together long-term, for example, Xenotilapia and Ophthalmotilapia. And for sure frontosa are way to big for a 90.