Advice on a possible single species tank: Tiger barbs vs Malawi cichlids

Discussion in 'Beginner Discussions' started by Harbinger2000, Apr 12, 2014.

  1. Harbinger2000

    Harbinger2000

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    Hi, I would like to start an aquarium in the near future. The specifications of the tank I looking at is 91 x 33 x 45 cm (roughly 110L). I would like to include only a single species into the tank rather than than having multiple different species. After some deliberation I have narrowed my choices of possible fish for the tank to either Tiger barbs or possibly one of the Malawi cichlid species.

    I realize that I would be rather limited on stocking options for the Malawi cichlids due to the adult size of most of the fish and the tank size, but there are some species which would work. For example Pseudotropheus saulosi, Cynotilapia afra (cobue) and a few other species.

    At the moment I am torn on which way to go with both options looking very interesting (due to the nature of the fish and different tank setups that would be required):unsure:. As such I would appreciate any and all advice either for or against on which route to go.

    Thank you in advance.
     
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  3. Swagasaurus

    Swagasaurus

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    @harbringer: If you want to talk about tigerbarbs in a species only tank then @The BARB King is your man to speak too.
     
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  4. f-fish

    f-fish #unspecified

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  5. Jack Stone

    Jack Stone Stone Aquaics

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    Howzit @Harbinger2000

    Some options you may not yet have come across are from Lake Tanganyika.
    Here are some of the species available in South Africa that can be housed in 90cm species only tanks for their entire lives.

    Neolamprologus multifasciatus
    Neolamprologus brevis
    Neolamprologus ocellatus
    Neolamprologus caudopunctatus
    Neolamprologus pulcher / brichardi / olivaceous
    Julidochromis marlieri / regani
    Julidochormis dickfeldi / ornatus / transcriptus

    These Tanganyika species are far more suitable to 90cm tanks than the more aggressive (Bar the Brichardi Complex) Malawi Mbuna species.

    Here's some hard and fast info for you...

    - For the first three (shell dwellers) the tank set-up would consist of fine sand and shells, rocks and plants to break up territories and make the tank look good.
    - The Caudopunctatus require rocky caves and shells to breed in.
    - Pulcher / brichardi / olivaceous are heavy rock dwelling fish and have multiple generations of fry live together in the aquarium, their tank set-up would be much like any Mbuna set-up.
    - Neolamprologus multifasciatus also have multiple generations of fry but they use shells to breed in.
    - The Julidochromis species are also full on rock dwellers and tank set-up much like Mbuna, all of them should tolerate multiple generations of fry together in a 90cm aquarium.

    - You will end up with adult pairs in a 90cm aquarium except in the case of Multifasciatus (the second smallest cichlid known to man - the smallest is also from Lake Tanganyika) where you will end up with a breeding colony after the dominant males exclude whoever there isn't space for.
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2014
  6. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    Jack Stone has made some good suggestions.
    You could set up a fantastic Tang tank.
     
  7. Vis

    Vis Gerhard

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    The question is what do you want with your fish, plants or a nice rocky scape?
     
  8. OP
    Harbinger2000

    Harbinger2000

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    @Jack Stone: Thank you very much, I will take a look at those species. For the shell dwellers, would sea shells be OK (after rinsing well)?
    @Vis: I am still torn on this, a rock scape would fit for the cichlids while for the tiger barbs a planted tank would seem better. The rock scape might be a bit easier to set up/maintain I think (speaking under possible correction) compared to keeping a planted tank, but a planted tank would look very nice.
     
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  9. Vis

    Vis Gerhard

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    Well you can go for some of the shell dwellers which are very interesting fish and just add some anubias for plants.
     
  10. f-fish

    f-fish #unspecified

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    Setup - maybe, but nothing beats a planted tank that needs low maintenance ... most people treat the one thank they have as a Petri dish, this makes keeping an planted tank very difficult.

    So why not have two tanks? One for the cichlids and another for the barbs?

    Later Ferdie
     
  11. OP
    Harbinger2000

    Harbinger2000

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    @Vis: Very true.
    @f-fish: Considered it a lot, but I am currently limited by spacing constraints :cry:.

    Well back to the researching, the Neolamprologus caudopunctatus is starting to be very tempting the more time passes.
     
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  12. Jack Stone

    Jack Stone Stone Aquaics

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    Howzit @Harbinger2000

    The Caudopunctatus are an awesome species but probably best for community aquariums where their spunky behaviour will be on full display!
    You can stick some Julidochromis in along with the Caudopunctauts to provide some variety, the two species tend to ignore each other for the most part, but will protect their territories from trespassers.

    While not a true species only tank you'd have what we'd call a mini-community and the two species will live and breed together in a 90cm tank.
    The reason I don't suggest a Caudopunctatus species tank (unless for breeding purposes) is that once paired and breeding you will see very little activity unless you have other species to keep the Caudos busy.

    Sea shells are perfect for the shell dwellers! I let them soak in an epsom salt / aquarium salt for a day or two (one in the sun) before a basic wash and rinse (moering them around a bit in the bucket). You really just want to make sure nothing is living (or rotting) in the shells.
     
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  13. OP
    Harbinger2000

    Harbinger2000

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    Hi @Jack Stone

    Thank you for all of the advice it is very much appreciated. I would like to ask on the pH of your tanks. I tested my tap water and the pH seems to be around 6.8 straight from the tap, but seeing as tanganyikan cichlids prefer a higher pH of around 8 to 9 do you perhaps have a recommended way to increase the pH?

    It looks as if adding some crushed coral to a tank may help, but I am not sure how much this would increase the pH (couldn't find anything specific thus far). I have also read of adding bicarbonate of soda, but I am not sure how good an idea it is to do so.
     
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  14. Swagasaurus

    Swagasaurus

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    @ Harbinger2000: Crushed coral will raise it enough for your needs. You could also try marble chips but as far as I know it is less effective.
     
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  15. hviviers75

    hviviers75

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    @Harbinger2000 Hey dude you wont go wrong with a Tiger barb species tank they are really awesome fish, I keep few different types of barbs in my tank.

    They do fine with all types of plants in the tank.

    If you need info on them please contact me.

    Go through my thread and you will see what I mean, they are awesome in such a huge group.
     
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  16. Jack Stone

    Jack Stone Stone Aquaics

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    Hi @Harbinger2000

    My pH sits at about 7.8-8.0 from the tap - I do not bother to make any changes to this.
    I use beach sand as a substrate which does the same job as the crushed coral, although maybe not with the same efficiency it works for me.

    To raise the pH and keep it there you can use a solution of bicarbonate of soda and epsom salts. There is very little actual risk involved as long as you keep doing your water changes with water that has been prepared to match the pH and hardness of the aquarium. That is, whatever solution you use, keep using it in the same ratio, stable is more important than accurate.

    I would never rely on crushed coral for hardness and pH. It releases slowly into the water and each time you do a water change you are changing the hardness of the aquarium water.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2016

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