AquaStudent
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My 55 gallon AC tank has come a long way over the past 2 years. I built a DIY foam and cement background to make moving the tank easier and to hide all the equipment. Now the only thing that really needs fixing is the stock.
Right now the tank stocking is reminiscent of the days when I didn't know anything about keeping fish (not that I do today). I built most of my stocking from the, tempting to the uneducated, Mixed African Cichlid tanks found in the pet stores. Because of that my tank is full of fish of all different species and unknown genetics.
Because of this I'm considering going to a two species only tank (I think 3 would be pushing it a bit too much) but am not sure which species to select or even what to do with the current fish.
Here's the current stocking (and IDs to the best of my ability and those that have looked at images of them).
Pseudotropheus acei (Yellowtail Acei) - This guy was one of the first three fish I put in the tank. I've got to watch him grow up since he was only a few inches small.
Pseudotropheus socolofi - He's teh current tank boss. He shows his dominance but is not nearly as cruel as the former tank boss (an auratus). He is the largest mbuna in the tank.
Metriaclima elongatus (chewere) - Currently my favorite fish in the tank. I love his colors and he's not overly aggressive. He shares one of the small caves with an oddball fish in the tank.
Nimbochromis venustus (Giraffe Cichlid) - I picked this guy up when he was only a few inches big about a year and a half ago from a local LFS's mixed tank. It wasn't until later that I IDed him as a venestus (and looked up how big they get). The best option may be to find him a new home because a 55g won't do him justice.
Metriaclima lombardoi (Kenyii - female) - She has also been with me since the formation of the tank. She joined me in the second batch of three that I added to the tank. I enjoy her light blue colors and so far she hasn't been too outwardly aggressive but I fear she may be the cause of unnatural breeding aggressions (unnatural as in mixed species). Because of this she may not be a good option to stay with my set-up.
(potentially) Metriaclima greshakei (female?) - This one is still a mystery to me. It was IDed on this site as a greshakei about 6+ months ago but I'm not convinced. She doesn't add much to the community. She is very passive and not overly flashy.
(potentially) Aulonocara nyassae - I was over visiting my local Petco and noticed this guy in the tank they have for donated fish. He was being beaten to death by his buddy. The associate there said the fish was free so I took him home. He recovered quickly and became one of the dominant fish in the tank.
Labidochromis caeruleus (Yellow Lab) - I'm a huge fan of yellow labs. They are peaceful and colorful. This guy doesn't cause problems and gives a bright yellow contrast to my dark gray background.
Metriaclima estherae (Red Zebra) - This guy was also an early addition to the tank. He is currently the only fish showing any red/orange colors in the tank. So far he hasn't been violent although I know the reputation these guys have.
(possibly) Metriaclima greshakei (Albino) - He joined the tank about a year and a half ago but recently has been the center of a lot of aggression. I'm not sure what I should do with him in the future because if he remains, and doesn't start sticking up for himself, he will be living a stressful life. He was also IDed by CCA members although it's a hard job.
(possibly) Metriaclima greshakei - This guy was also IDed by CCA members as greshakei (it's a popular ID). He is midrange on the totempole in the tank. He's got an interesting mix of browns and golds with a slight teal sheen.
Not pictured are two Pseudotropheus saluosi brothers. They were given to me by a CCA member a couple of months ago and have been growing nicely. One is beginning to show dominant male colors while the smaller one says more yellow.
So that's the African Cichlid stocking in my 55g. Definitely a mess.
If I was to do a species only tank I think I would like to go with either Pseudotropheus 'elongatus chewere' or saluosi. As a secondary species I'm thinking Yellowtail Acei or Yellow Lab. There are other, more striking acei like the Acei ngara Whitetail but can they be found locally?
Thoughts, suggestions, ideas, or IDs would be greatly appreciated. I plan on attending the June CCA meeting and would be happy to exchange some of my fish.
Right now the tank stocking is reminiscent of the days when I didn't know anything about keeping fish (not that I do today). I built most of my stocking from the, tempting to the uneducated, Mixed African Cichlid tanks found in the pet stores. Because of that my tank is full of fish of all different species and unknown genetics.
Because of this I'm considering going to a two species only tank (I think 3 would be pushing it a bit too much) but am not sure which species to select or even what to do with the current fish.
Here's the current stocking (and IDs to the best of my ability and those that have looked at images of them).
Pseudotropheus acei (Yellowtail Acei) - This guy was one of the first three fish I put in the tank. I've got to watch him grow up since he was only a few inches small.
Pseudotropheus socolofi - He's teh current tank boss. He shows his dominance but is not nearly as cruel as the former tank boss (an auratus). He is the largest mbuna in the tank.
Metriaclima elongatus (chewere) - Currently my favorite fish in the tank. I love his colors and he's not overly aggressive. He shares one of the small caves with an oddball fish in the tank.
Nimbochromis venustus (Giraffe Cichlid) - I picked this guy up when he was only a few inches big about a year and a half ago from a local LFS's mixed tank. It wasn't until later that I IDed him as a venestus (and looked up how big they get). The best option may be to find him a new home because a 55g won't do him justice.
Metriaclima lombardoi (Kenyii - female) - She has also been with me since the formation of the tank. She joined me in the second batch of three that I added to the tank. I enjoy her light blue colors and so far she hasn't been too outwardly aggressive but I fear she may be the cause of unnatural breeding aggressions (unnatural as in mixed species). Because of this she may not be a good option to stay with my set-up.
(potentially) Metriaclima greshakei (female?) - This one is still a mystery to me. It was IDed on this site as a greshakei about 6+ months ago but I'm not convinced. She doesn't add much to the community. She is very passive and not overly flashy.
(potentially) Aulonocara nyassae - I was over visiting my local Petco and noticed this guy in the tank they have for donated fish. He was being beaten to death by his buddy. The associate there said the fish was free so I took him home. He recovered quickly and became one of the dominant fish in the tank.
Labidochromis caeruleus (Yellow Lab) - I'm a huge fan of yellow labs. They are peaceful and colorful. This guy doesn't cause problems and gives a bright yellow contrast to my dark gray background.
Metriaclima estherae (Red Zebra) - This guy was also an early addition to the tank. He is currently the only fish showing any red/orange colors in the tank. So far he hasn't been violent although I know the reputation these guys have.
(possibly) Metriaclima greshakei (Albino) - He joined the tank about a year and a half ago but recently has been the center of a lot of aggression. I'm not sure what I should do with him in the future because if he remains, and doesn't start sticking up for himself, he will be living a stressful life. He was also IDed by CCA members although it's a hard job.
(possibly) Metriaclima greshakei - This guy was also IDed by CCA members as greshakei (it's a popular ID). He is midrange on the totempole in the tank. He's got an interesting mix of browns and golds with a slight teal sheen.
Not pictured are two Pseudotropheus saluosi brothers. They were given to me by a CCA member a couple of months ago and have been growing nicely. One is beginning to show dominant male colors while the smaller one says more yellow.
So that's the African Cichlid stocking in my 55g. Definitely a mess.
If I was to do a species only tank I think I would like to go with either Pseudotropheus 'elongatus chewere' or saluosi. As a secondary species I'm thinking Yellowtail Acei or Yellow Lab. There are other, more striking acei like the Acei ngara Whitetail but can they be found locally?
Thoughts, suggestions, ideas, or IDs would be greatly appreciated. I plan on attending the June CCA meeting and would be happy to exchange some of my fish.
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