Tips for building a colony back up?

[myjohnson]

Well guys, I got some really cool tropheus but in very low number, 5.

Ratio is for sure 2m/1f and the other two are too small to say for sure.

They are in holding tanks with some others fishes before they make it to one of the display tanks.

Three things I can do (welcome to other ideas I can't think of right now)

1) Keep them with 31 trophs and a single petro in a 6 footer?

2) Keep them with 20 trophs in a 4 footer?

3) Keep them alone in the holding tank?

As of now I'm think of doing number one but just wanted some ideas.

thanks guys.

[cichlid1409]

#1 sounds best... longer tank... more fish to spread out aggression. i would also add them after the lights are out to try and avoid a massive attack when they first go in.

[Mzungu]

How big is the holding tank?

[myjohnson]

one of those tubs....I'm guessing 70-80 gallons. It's my mom's and it's old as hell. I don't even know the brand name.

[Mzungu]

I (Geoff) would keep them in the holding tub because the 4-footer probably doesn't have any territory left, unless they're the biggest fish and could take some. The 6-footer's already too busy.

[myjohnson]

lol, I was wondering why MB was posting on this sub-forum.

Thanks for the advice man.

[jeebus]

Here's the million dollar question: "What variant are they!?"

I would go for the six footer. I have never had success with four foot tanks and tropheus. Not as adults anyway.

What fish are in the six footer now? If you wanted to grow out and multiply your five fish colony, perhaps you could prune your 31 fish colony. Knock em' down to 5M/15F maybe (I'm thinking quads), and then you might have a better chance for the five fish colony to have a little more space, and have better chances at breeding.

Of course, with fewer overall fish, you run the risk of more one on one bullying.

But none of that is important compared to us finding out what variant they are!

[myjohnson]

Here's the million dollar question: "What variant are they!?"

Can't say. They are endangered species. )

I would go for the six footer. I have never had success with four foot tanks and tropheus. Not as adults anyway.

Yeah, hard to pull off trophs in a 4 footer, but I had the most success when I used small amounts of large rocks to make just two caves, one on each end.

What fish are in the six footer now?

My lufubu and a new singleton petro I just got.

If you wanted to grow out and multiply your five fish colony, perhaps you could prune your 31 fish colony. Knock em' down to 5M/15F maybe (I'm thinking quads), and then you might have a better chance for the five fish colony to have a little more space, and have better chances at breeding.

Of course, with fewer overall fish, you run the risk of more one on one bullying.

But none of that is important compared to us finding out what variant they are!

Thanks for the advice Glen!

[jeebus]

Booooooooooooooooooo!


(You know why I'm booing you!)

[Zulaab]

Thai,

Since I am the old wise idiot.. 70g tub FOR SURE. They will handle it without a problem with that small a number. Think Kiku in a 70 and I have the female hold once and I am thinking she is holding again. So I am saying.. keep them in the 70 tub for now.. I would not strip, but I would cover the tank bottom with Mexican Pebble beach rock or same kind. Then I would let nature take its course over the next few months. Then I would catch out all the adults, remove all the rock work and remove all the babies.. grow them out in a second tank where you can power feed them and get them to get some size on them. Then return them to the tank when they are back to about 2.5" and keep going to the colony is back up in strengh again. You will then need to put them in a BIG tank.. because I know a small tank will not go well for them.

[eklikewhoa]

I would try keeping them by themselves at first and if they breed strip to bring the numbers back up.

If that shows not to work then you have no choice but to add them to the others.

[ddaquaria]

I've been successful with a group of 4 in a small tank. Actually housed them in a very rocked up 46 bow. I tried sharing the 4 footer with no success, and it only took a few weeks after removing them from the 120 gal to the 46 gal and I had at least 10 fry.

You still have not told us the variant...

My guess is a polli variant...

[geoff_tropheus]

I would do the tub man, with rocks like Jesper said in the bottom.

Also, you and I need to talk. One of my "mpimbwe's" is black and white. Could be a possible

[J-WS6]

I vote for the tub as well. That way they're alone, undisturbed and hopefully you can keep a consistent breeding pattern going. I'd actually try to get my hands on a 40 breeder. Cheap, and the viewing is much better.

[myjohnson]

You still have not told us the variant...

My guess is a polli variant...

Fine I confess....they are monster dubs.