my baby african tank

[lloyd378]

here is my baby african tank... sorry about the crappy photo skills, I know, I know, I should have cleaned the glass but I was too impatient.

 

[gobluecichlids]

these africans need a bigger tank with a bigger footprint. A 55 or 75 is more ideal. The cyps looks like adult size.

 

[lloyd378]

as they get a bit bigger, i'll go bigger too. But my goal is not to grow them out to full size too fast, as I feel their color washes out when they do that. right now they appear to be extremely happy, and show zero signs of aggression. It is really just a very peaceful / tranquil tank.

 

[larry.beck]

They won't show any aggression, cyps don't do that... they'll just become stunted and die off over time. They require at LEAST a 48" tank, preferably 72" or 96". And you'll want to have a school of them for them to be relaxed.

You may not have to worry though, because as that frontosa grow's he'll probably realized that cyps are his natural food source.

 

[lloyd378]

thanks for the encouraging words Larry.beck !

:beer:

 

[larry.beck]

Hey lloyd, sorry if I sounded discouraging, I just wanted you to know the potential impacts of what you are doing. You sounded as if you were probably unaware.

I keep many of the some fish, and wish you great success with them!

 

[bassetman]

Larry is correct....the cyps would really like a larger tank and atleast a school of 8. The front would be happier with five or six other fronts as well as the larger tank.

 

[lloyd378]

I didn't get discouraged! I was just being sarcastic...... and to provide a bit of a back story on why they are all in there: i originally had those fish together in a 55 with four malawi cichlids until they all started getting picked on by the four malawi cichlids. i was going for a mixed tank with africans that i think look cool when they grow up, but personalities didnt mesh. long story short, the smaller tank was open and it is the one i look at when i fall asleep / get up, so my favorites went in there! and just to let everyone worried about them know; they are still happy with none of them showing aggression. but they will be placed in larger tanks when I feel the time is needed. thanks again everyone for the info.

 

[bassetman]

I keep jumbo cyps with my fronts, I have yet to lose any cyps to the fronts other than some fry. I do have a back up plan if they start to get chompped. My fronts prefer pellets to chasing live prey.....for now.