75 Gallon Tanganyikan Setup

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I added some more shells this morning and have 25 now. I was thinking of the Caudopuncs…from the research I did, I was hearing a lot about how they can fight the actual shell dwellers for shells. Happy to hear different reviews here though.
25 shells is a good start. Double that and they will be even happier. Try to space them out in groups of 5 or so.
 
I picked up 2 ‘Congo’ Black Calvus today who are barely over 1” and added them to this tank with the 5 Multis. The LFS told me they had Julidochromis Transcriptus, but they were labeled incorrectly, appearing to actually be Regani…so I passed. I can’t find the Transcriptus anywhere at the moment. Do I have any other rock dwelling options? I know the Caudopunctatus were mentioned as well. Does Brichardi really need to be species only?

Also, I have 3 Synodontis Lucippinis in another tank. Would they work in this setup, or would the Multis be an issue? I was thinking there may be enough rocks to keep them apart, but not entirely sure (tank was posted further back).
 
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I picked up 2 ‘Congo’ Black Calvus today who are barely over 1” and added them to this tank with the 5 Multis. The LFS told me they had Julidochromis Transcriptus, but they were labeled incorrectly, appearing to actually be Regani…so I passed. I can’t find the Transcriptus anywhere at the moment. Do I have any other rock dwelling options? I know the Caudopunctatus were mentioned as well. Does Brichardi really need to be species only?

Also, I have 3 Synodontis Lucippinis in another tank. Would they work in this setup, or would the Multis be an issue? I was thinking there may be enough rocks to keep them apart, but not entirely sure (tank was posted further back).
Sorry, disregard, I see I already asked some of these questions.
 
I would skip the Synos with the multies in any tank, and I would add 4 calvus so they have their choice of mates.
 
I would skip the Synos with the multies in any tank, and I would add 4 calvus so they have their choice of mates.
Thank you for the response, I will skip them. I only got 2 Calvus since I figured the Multis and Julies (once I got them) would likely both spawn a lot. That said, do you still think I should get 2 more Calvus?
 
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I would ADD 4 calvus so you have a group of six. They are likely to form a pair and reject the other four which you will then remove. With only two if they don't get along (which you may not know for 2 years) you will be starting over to find a mate for your male.

IME julidochromis do spawn regularly but they do not fill the tank with their fry. The other fish get the babies or the babies mature and are rejected from the tank by the parental pair or trio.

Same with multis...the other fish will get most of the fry and the colony will grow slowly. I would expect you will be removing adults in coming years to keep the tank balances.
 
I would ADD 4 calvus so you have a group of six. They are likely to form a pair and reject the other four which you will then remove. With only two if they don't get along (which you may not know for 2 years) you will be starting over to find a mate for your male.

IME julidochromis do spawn regularly but they do not fill the tank with their fry. The other fish get the babies or the babies mature and are rejected from the tank by the parental pair or trio.

Same with multis...the other fish will get most of the fry and the colony will grow slowly. I would expect you will be removing adults in coming years to keep the tank balances.
Got it, thank you very much for clarifying. I actually just called a fish store a little further out and they have both the Calvus and Transcriptus. I’m going to take a trip later today to pick some up.
 
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Curious if you have progress from your tank posted anywhere? I’m also in the process of stocking a tang community tank and curious to see how your project is going
 
I have a 75 gallon Tanganyikain community aquarium. It has been running for 3 years with success and breeding.

Stocklist:

14 Cyprichromis micro Milima
4 White Calvus
2 Gold Compressiceps
4 Xenotilaphia ochrogenys Ndole

There is little competition for territory because most all the fish are docile and inhabit different strata within the tank. It's very active and I find that the Calvus and Comps are a lot more active with the open water fish with them in the aquarium.

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Looking good.
Its a good combination because the C. microlepidotus, which are actually not so docile, have nobody they like to bother.

The only downside is the gravel. The Xeneotilapia cannot show their full spectrum of behavior. Such as the typical sifting sand through the gills or building their breeding sites.
 
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