Looking at a cichlid tank this summer

[Chris.d514]

I am planning on getting a 40-55 at the next petco sale and am thinking about getting into tropheus keeping. Any advice? I was looking at gold fleck or firecrackers.

[eklikewhoa]

probably wanna do a lot more reading about them and avoid the trendy names cause that just leads to confusion and possible mixmatch fish.

Kalambo/Mpulungu/Katoto are some of the collection points that probably fall under the "gold fleck" name
The "firecracker" trend name is probably the worst cause I've seen this name used for Moliro, Chipimbi, kachese, Kasanga, Kampwimba, etc.

[Chris.d514]

Kalambo was the gold fleck that I found, the firecracker was morilo, and I also like the purple rainbow lufubu. I am trying to research them as much as I can over the next few months before deciding on what to get but figured one of the best ways to find some info is to ask on here and see what others have found in their keeping and combine that with research I do on my own.

[eklikewhoa]

The troph sub-forum would probably be a good place to start.

IMO, Houston is probably one of the largest collection of tropheus enthusiast I've come across, our local forum here shadows some national/worldwide forums that are dedicated to tropheus.

[Chris.d514]

Cool I'll definitely check it out. Would a 40g be big enough for a small colony of 12-15?

[eklikewhoa]

I honestly think 20 is a better starting point, if you are going to start with fry I prefer to go with even more and possibly double that.

The tank size is fine to start with.

[Chris.d514]

Cool I'm hoping to get the tank started mid- late July and start adding fish end of August maybe beginning of September. I have been wanting a tank that has the bright vibrant colors with out going to saltwater yet. After looking around some tropheus seems like the best fit for that just have to do more research on their natural habitat to try and match water conditions and get the best colorations I can from the fish. If anyone runs across a good article that helps with that please let me know. I want to make sure I have as much knowledge as I can get about these fish before I break open the wallet.

[cu0ngsayz]

dont even bother buy a tank under 135gallon youre gonna wanna upgrade later if youre keeping tropheus.. hahah

[Chris.d514]

I don't have room for much bigger right now but am looking at moving in dec/jan and should be able to upgrade to a much larger tank then. I am getting either a 150+ gallon acrylic or a 90-125 glass and custom ar for graduation in December. I have to make a choice my wife said I could only get one for now.

[eklikewhoa]

You'll be fine with the smaller tank for now and if you start with fry the time frame is even longer.

Just to chime in, my chibongbong quadrupled in colony numbers in about half a year's time and they were housed in a 30g long.

[Chris.d514]

Sweet thanks again ek. Should I get a tall or long?

[eklikewhoa]

Long.

You want more footprint, height is just a waste of space.

[Chris.d514]

Ok then I'll look for a 40 breeder to start with.

[moganman]

Yup. Why not get something bigger, being at least 55g 4ft long?

[Chris.d514]

I'm looking at the 40 breeder or a 50 because of room limitations. Debating on a HoB filter like I have on my other tanks or trying out a canister. I was thinking pfs for the sub and adding holey rock to help buffer the water to the higher ph that they like. For lighting I am debating on a t5 setup or doing LEDs with white and either blue or red depending on which species I go with from what I have read if you go with their main color then it will help make their coloration stand out more.