40g troph tank journal

[mark razmandi]

Ok, seriously this time.

The setup is a 38g

Filtration:
Ac110 - sponge, media
Penguin Bio-wheel 330 - sponges

Circulation:
Koralia 2 (soon to be a K4)

100lbs. of holey rock
Leslies PFS
shells for shell dweller

Stock:
13 Dubs (adults and fry)
2 Bemba juvis
1 livua fry
1 Callochromis
1 Julie
1 Shwell Dweller

Now, i understand that this is not at all an ideal setup for these fish but as of now they are not fighting and hardly showing aggression. Instead of getting heated about the small tank can someone really explain the reasons why this is such a big deal, especially since the aggression is low as it is right now. I think that if it stays this way then they would be fine, right? Please share your thoughts.

Pics:

[Nickintex]

I learned the hard way. You may soon experience something I dubbed "trophicide".
Mine seemed fine in front of me when I was home, but when I returned from work, I kept finding the shredded bodies. Geoff and Jesper and Thai, among many others, can fill you in on what leads to trophicide.

[mark razmandi]

thanks bro, ill keep an eye out....if the dubs get at it, im gonna get rid of em and get some fry to grow out.

[FrontosaurusRex]

Hey if something ever does happen and you have to clear out the tank, I would love to have the Bemba. (lets knock on wood and hope that nothing happens though).

[geoff_tropheus]

Tropheus Full Size:

Males 5-6.5"
Females 4.5 to 5.5"

The tank size does not have a large impact on agression. In Tropheus the agression is curtailed with aquascape and colony numbers. Some Tropheus types are much more agressive than others and do require a longer tank footprint.

The tank size deals with your fish reaching their full growth potential and basically giving them the space their size requires.

If you keep them in a smaller tank you will end up with stunted fish. If they have already reached full size, or were already stunted from either diet, breeding, or habitat...then they are what they are.

12-14 Adults will minimally work a 55 gallon. I have kept them in a 29 gallon before, and the fish managed, but did not thrive.

When people keep tropheus, generally the attitude is not to take a minimalistic approach. They deserve more respect than that in my opinion.

[imagirlgeek]

I've kept a colony in a 75g...it didn't last long. It was a temp solution, but I really didn't get in a hurry to set up the 150g until they started beating on each other. It was like...for a while they were all the new kids in the tank, so it wasn't bad, but when they settled in it just got obnoxious. I couldn't enjoy them because I was stressed that they were fighting so much. But this is just my experience. Oh, and I also didn't like the extra maintenance that was necessary having that many fish in a 75g. Again...just my opinion. I would do it again if I had to, but my preference is a 6 ft. or more tank.

[imagirlgeek]

Nice fish, btw...Dubs are some of my favs. :emt_thumbs:

[geoff_tropheus]

Duboisi were my first Tropheus and are still my favs too!

I completely forgot, the larger tank also makes for a much more stable water condition for them, and like Traci said a larger tank is so much easier to take care of.

[mark razmandi]

well i dont think i have a "minimalistic approach" the problem is i dont have lots of tanks or money so i make do. if i honestly felt that i wasnt providing properly for the fish i wouldnt keep them. if they show any negative signs at all i will be the first to remove them, im not going to intentionally hurt them. i just really wanted some trophs and i got a great deal.

[cichlid1409]

Tropheus Full Size:

Males 5-6.5"
Females 4.5 to 5.5"

The tank size does not have a large impact on agression. In Tropheus the agression is curtailed with aquascape and colony numbers. Some Tropheus types are much more agressive than others and do require a longer tank footprint.

The tank size deals with your fish reaching their full growth potential and basically giving them the space their size requires.

If you keep them in a smaller tank you will end up with stunted fish.
Seen this happen first hand with some fronts i gave to my brother he had them in a 40g then he asked me why i gave him retarded fish.

If they have already reached full size, or were already stunted from either diet, breeding, or habitat...then they are what they are.

12-14 Adults will minimally work a 55 gallon. I have kept them in a 29 gallon before, and the fish managed, but did not thrive.

When people keep tropheus, generally the attitude is not to take a minimalistic approach. They deserve more respect than that in my opinion.

i would agree that although not ideal it can possibly work. aquascape looks good but might not be the best for these guys if aggression starts getting bad( coming home to badly torn up fins) i would rearrange first.

[newb]

If the aggression does go up and you cant handle them...I would consider buying them back for what I originally sold them for...so they can live in their original colony once again.

[mark razmandi]

If the aggression does go up and you cant handle them...I would consider buying them back for what I originally sold them for...so they can live in their original colony once again.

well if i can get a large tank together i am still interested in yours.

[newb]

gonna hang onto them for now.

[geoff_tropheus]

Mark,

There are usally "throw-down" 55's on here or Craiglist dirt cheap. I would try and look for one of those for long term.

Trophs are awesome fishes, you've done well with the Geo's so I am sure you will do well with these guys too.

[mark razmandi]

i will keep an eye on them, i wont take any chances. i monitor them like a hawk.

aww my bad bro, i didnt know. i figured you still wanted them gone after all those pms. let me know!