Archivarium 2004

[CICHLID RAGE]

I just put up a 100 gal. Tank with the folling fish: 5 kenyi, 3 yellow labs, 1 orange african (?), 1 albino african (?) 3 clown loaches, 3 lace syn. Cats and two giant danio (dithers). They are all very small some less then 1 inch at this time and all seem to be doing very well together. Is this to many fish for this size tank? I have a lot of rocks, caves etc. The tank has a large built in rear filter and large powerhead. Any thoughts? (yes I know some will say the clown loaches won't do well with the agressive kenyi's but time will tell)

[dr_fosg8]

Sounds OK to me. If anything I would add 2 or 3 more yellow labs.

[Tommy]

I'm sorry but I see some serious potential problems here...

First of all you said you "just put up" your tank. Did you fishless cycle it with the addition of ammonia? If not then you are relying on this mix of fish to cycle the tank for you and you will need to monitor ammonia and nitrites carefully for the next month before even THINKing about adding more fish. If you are cycling with fish I would immediately pull out the clown loaches and the lace cats or they will likely stress out and die. Neither of these fish is appropriate to place in a tank which you know will be experiencing ammonia and nitrites.

The next issue is the clown loaches in general. These are NOT appropriate to plan on keeping with African Cichlids long term. They require softer water than the cichlids plus they stress easily and in a high action/energy environment like an african cichlid tank they will not fit in well. This is just not a good idea all of the way around.

Thirdly the goal with a successful rift lake cichlid tank should be to achieve "colony" type stocking plan. To keep one single fish of a species mixed in with a colony of a different fish such as the kenyi is not a good idea and will likely result in increased agression against the single fish. I would agree with bumping up the number of labs, as well as the "orange" and the "albino" to a minimum of 6 each and allow them to manage their colony such as they would in the wild. Again like I said above, make sure your tank is FULLY cycled before slowly adding more fish.
Hope this helps...
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[CICHLID RAGE]

Thanks for the info, and no this tank has been running for 2 weeks with no fish and 1 week with just the danios. Have tested the water, it is fine. I will add another couple of the yellows, albinos and oranges then. I am closely monitoring the loaches, I have read that they will do OK in a small group with Africans, although I have also heard otherwise. Loaches adapt well to the higher pH, harder water tanks from the literature I have read. My concern was a possible over crowding. Thanks again.

[CICHLID RAGE]

Just tested everything again- Nitrate 40 mg/L, Nitrite 0, GH 150, KH 180, pH 7.8. Looks OK, I would like to take the Nitrates down abit and pH up just a tad. Will do a 20% water change and gravle vacuum this weekend.

[number6]

Cichlid rage, please read the boards position on stocking of tanks:
http://www.aquahobby.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=20742

Please do not dismiss the advice you are being given.
Some could take replies such as yours,
"My concern was a possible over crowding. Thanks again."
as insulting. I am sure that is not your intent. Please try to accept the advice as given. You don't have to follow all advice, but you should know how to accept it graciously. Please keep that in mind when you hit the submit button. Thanks.
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Discus Man is gone... I remain... #6... I am not a number I am a free man!

[kjh90]

If you keep the danios I would suggest getting 3 more because they are schooling fish that do best in groups of 5.

[Tommy]