Tangyanikan's in a 4x18x20

[Scarecrow]

So im considering a change from Malawi to Tangyanika in my 4' x 18" x 20". Im not as familiar with the requirements for most of the tangyanikan species, so not really sure what i can get away in terms of stocking levels.

The tank runs 2 canister filters, an Ehiem Ecco (The largest one) and a Fluval 305 with Jager Heater and T5 Lighting. Currently it stocks 30 odd fish, but im not expecting to be able to do that with Tangs.

I know i cant stock frontosa which is a bit of a shame, so im just wondering what sort of species and stocking levels will work for this tank.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[dobbin4]

You would need to say what Tangs your intrested in ? every one is differant. What I like you may not!

This size tank should be fine for most as long as you dont over stock it & your running 2 filters as well

[brucem]

I've got a couple of tanks about that size with tangs. Both are similar setups but slightly different species.

The first has Xeno spilopterus, Cyp lepto malasa and young gold comps. Setup with a central coral piece, a few shells and barnacles. I sometimes will through in frontosa fry to grow a little before sale which doesn't upset things at all.

The second has Xeno flavipinnis, calvus trio, juli regani pair, brevis pair +1 and four Cyp lepto mpimbwe. Setup with a central rock pile and a few shells. I'm thinking about shift the role pile to one end because after years in this setup, the julis are getting a little more bossy. But they hang around the rocks pretty well all the time. You rarely see them away from the rock pile.

[Scarecrow]

The species i like are as follows:

• Cyp lepto
  
• Julidochromis marlieri (Gombe)
  
• Julidochromis transcriptus (Pemba)
  
• Sunspot Brevis
  
• Neolamprologus sexfasciatus (Samazi)
  
• Neolamprologus leleupi
  
• Neolamprologus cylindricus
  
• Altolamprologus calvus (Black) - Congo Black Fin [This is probably my favourite]
  
• Altolamprologus calvus (White)
  
• Altolamprologus calvus (Yellow)
  
• Black Ocellutus
  

What of these will actually go together, and in what numbers. Ultimately i like the Black Calvus the most, so would like to build around them. Im thinking the Cyps, and maybe Leleupi, and either the Black Ocellutus or Sunspot Brevis...

[dogboy]

i think calvus, cyps (not jumbos) lelupi (or cylindricus) and a shellie would work well. brevis are less aggro than occies

also a julidochromis or chalinochromis species and paracyprichromis would work in there.

numbers depend if you want to breed, for most tangs i buy 6 and wait till they pair off then keep a pair in the tank, although the more the merrier with cyps to lessen the aggro from dominant males- and paracyps to a lesser degree.

[Scarecrow]

Would a 1 or 2 pair of Calvus work in the tank? Also with Calvus, can you have both Black, White and Yellow in there together? Are they just different colour morphs, or would that result in crossbreeds?

[damoq]

They would cross breed!!! You may be able to get white calvus these days but yellow are hard to find and black are plentiful and relatively inexpensive compared to the others.

Damo

[Scarecrow]

Im thinking i might just go a pair or maybe harem of 4 Black Calvus, 6 cyprichromis leptsoma, 2 brevis, and either 2 cylindricus or leleupi, with the 3 syno petriacola i currently have. Do you think that would be acceptable in terms of numbers?

Cheers

[dogboy]

i would get more cyps if you can, the dominant male may hammer other males and females in a small colony, otherwise sounds good.