Melanochromis Auratus

[Guest]

Hi Guys,

I was wondering if a 65 x 40 x 40cm tank would be big enough for 1 male and 2-3 female Melanochromis Auratus? If so what would be the best setup? I was thinking lots of rocks for the females to hide as I've heard the males are really aggro. Also how do you get the PH up? Would they be ok in a ph of about 7 or does it need to be 7.5+?

Thanks Heaps

Cam

[ryanjury]

Your tank is too small.. Auratus are one of the more aggressive mbuna I kept them once but got sick of them dominating everything in my 5fter.

Have a read

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/m_auratus.php

In that sized tank you wont find many africans you could keep maybe some jullies or something like that get a few and thin it out to a pair and then they should happily just breed away. Or maybe some brichardi or pulchers.

[Guest]

Yeah I thought it might be too small. I don't want to get any more kribs or convicts but want to try something different. I really want to get something colourful. I got dwarf flags a love them. Maybe I should just get some bolivian rams since they're easyish to breed and not so agro.

Thanks for the help ryanjury.

[Navarre]

Hi Cam

agree with the above.

or in a word

Nope

[flatfish]

I had Melanochromis auratus years ago in a 4 foot tank. The dominant male killed 4 others and was eventually (dare I say it :-?) put in a 6 foot tank with my oscars to learn who was boss. They can be really nasty and personally although they look great I'd settle for something a little more gentle particularly in a tank that size. Maybe a pair of Apistogrammas???

[SamH]

Those are nice dimensions for a planted tank

[Guest]

Yeah I think I'll just try to breed my dwarf flags and then put some of there babies in there and have a dwarf flag breeding tank with a few pairs of them. I don't think I'll do a big proper planted tank maybe a few plants here and there.

Thanks Guys