13 replies to this topic

[Christopher]

Hey guys,

Name is Chris, read the forums a bit previously but only now searching for opinions and knowledge from more experienced fishkeepers (Think i might drive Paul @ Morley mad if i keep asking him every question i have:P ) Im 17 and decently new to fishkeeping.
Kept small things like axolotls, bettas and goldfish ages ago but only recently (about 6 months?) did i finally get a proper big fish tank, with an incredible amount of help from Paul i put together a 4ft Malawi tank which has since been upgraded to a donated 330L (taller 4ft) from a cousin. Tank currently has:

5x Electric Yellows

6x Maingano

5x Mpanga 

3x Rubin Red Peacocks (2 orange body, 1 red. Only one has good colour, think its because he bullies the rest)

1x Marbled peacock (really starting to get pretty now)

1x Tangerine peacock (surprised by her being a female and holding eggs as the only tangerine in the tank, have to deal with hybrids which i havent done before)

1x Lemonjake peacock (not 100% cant remember, doesnt have any colours atm, brown body with some yellowing on fins)

Then I have 1 Borleyi and 1 Venustus (had a friend but sadly died)

Tank is kitted with an Eheim 2226 and i do weekly water changes, sometimes a big 50% when its warmer but closer to 30% when its cold as i cant heat the water b4 going into the tank (trying to figure out some ways)

 

I have another 90L tank which has mbuna fry atm. Maingano and Mpanga, biggest is around 2.5cm

also have 2 18" (38L i think?) which are utilised as either hospitals or nurseries for holding mums.

 

Toying with the idea of completely redoing 330L as a tang focused tank, maybe keeping fronts until they get too big for it then trade em but im unsure, tangs are completely new territory for me so any help would be greatly appreciated, including advice on my current setups as im sure to be doing some stuff wrong  
Cheers and hope to get to know some of you better

 

 

 

 

[dicky7]

Hi Chris welcome to the PCS forums. Im sure you get responses from knowledgeable people soon enuff

PS

never be afraid to ask questions

[Redevilz]

Welcome to PCS Christopher, thanks for joining.

There are many knowledgable people on this forum, don't hold back from asking any questions and I'm sure some members will be happy to help. If you need any help feel free to start a new topic or send me a private message.

Cheers

[Michael the fish fanatic]

Welcome

[malawiman85]

Hi Chris welcome mate. Tangs are one of the most interesting groups of fish you can get your hands on. Unique behaviours, wonderful diversity and a really rewarding experience. They often get overlooked by new hobbyists because they arent as bright and shiny as malawis.
Fronts are great to keep, slow growing juvies and easy to sell if they outgrow your tank.
Tropheus are, in my opinion, the peak of african cichlid keeping.

Cheers,

Paul

[Christopher]

Thanks Paul (and everyone for their welcomes). 

Makes me happy to hear that fronts are easy to sell if they outgrow coz that was the plan, I cant foresee me buying a 6ft within the near future but maybe if they grow slow enough (as in wont outgrow tank for like 2 years) I might get one in time but who knows

With this being my first tank so much of it was just "First tank yay lets get my tank and fish quick quick quick" so im looking forward to effectively 'restarting' my main tank with Tangs and rushing the whole process alot less. One thing im curious about tangs is i know with malawis, if i wasnt adding mbuna in groups of like 5 or peacocks in 2s or 3s the new fish would have a nightmarish time aggression-wise, is this similar in tangs or are they a bit more forgiving of newcomers that dont come in big groups.

I know very little about tropheus but some ive just googled look incredible, show some colour you dont expect from tangs, what is it about them that makes you say they are the pinnacle? difficulty or just they are so magnificent visually and behaviourally that they are your favourites? or?

[malawiman85]

I think because they are cute little buggers with great colour and some of the most entertaining and socially advanced behaviours of freshwater fish. They are susceptible to bloat generally though I know people that have kept tropheus for years without issue.
The better the water quality and your fish keeping skill the better the tropheus respond and look.

[Christopher]

Might hold off on tropheus for a little bit then haha

[malawiman85]

I should also add that if I had my choice of tangs I would have:Boulengerochromis microlepis... giant cichlid. That will never happen though :-(

[Christopher]

That fish gets almost as big as my tank 

[Fox]

Welcome to the forum Chris,
Great to see another new fish keeper.
Sounds like you have your tank under control awesome stuff.
Hope to see at one of the club meetings. Plenty of cool people there to meet & chat fish

Tangs are one of the most interesting groups of fish you can get your hands on. Unique behaviours, wonderful diversity and a really rewarding experience. They often get overlooked by new hobbyists because they arent as bright and shiny as malawis.

 
Even though I primarily keep Malawi's, I couldn't agree more with the able statement. Some really interesting tangs out there but unfortunately they aren't always available
If you can come across some Ectodus decampsii, grab some. VERY COOL species along with some Xenotilapia & Cyprichromis. MINTOX!!

 

I should also add that if I had my choice of tangs I would have:Boulengerochromis microlepis... giant cichlid. That will never happen though :-(

I kept some a few years ago, pretty cool species, can be very agro. Unfortunately I had them in a display tank at work and they were sold by mistake on the days I wasn't there

[Morley Aquariums]

Hi Chris, good to see you looking to expand your knowledge.

[malawiman85]

 
I kept some a few years ago, pretty cool species, can be very agro. Unfortunately I had them in a display tank at work and they were sold by mistake on the days I wasn't there

You're FIRED!

[MrLeifBeaver]

Welcome!