Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => Old World => Topic started by: gannmann101 on January 30, 2013, 02:11:53 AM

Title: frontosa new colony help!!
Post by: gannmann101 on January 30, 2013, 02:11:53 AM
I'm setting up a frontossa tank this weekend to sit under my bedroom 180gl. I'm thinking 9-12.in my groujp. I'm starting from nothing. I would like any help possible to make this colony as healthy and happy as possible.   Like water temp current ph substrait lighting. Filtration. The whole deal.  Any and all input will be much welcomed I'm planning on some kampama spelled that wrong. And red fronts. Would this be a bad mix also. Any other tank other tank mates I have calves and compressieps floating around already.  Als o size of tank. Should I go with
Title: Re: frontossa new colony help!!
Post by: JeffroM on January 30, 2013, 02:57:13 AM
9 to 12 adult Frontosa would need a BIG tank.  Like 8'x3' footprint.  But if you get fry they take years to grow out so that many would do fine together for quite a long time in a smaller tank.

DO NOT have 2 strains in the same tank.  They will hybridize.

Water Temp - 78d.  ph - as high as you have naturally 7.5 / 8.  Substrait - I used Carib Sea African Cichlid sand and it seemed to do well.

Keep the tank cover sealed tight.  They can be very skidish and jump out!

Good luck.
Title: Re: frontossa new colony help!!
Post by: Super Turtleman on January 30, 2013, 06:20:14 AM
I second the tank cover tight and secure. They WILL jump out (I lost one and found another one in time and threw him back in).

I used Tahitian Moon Sand and regular play sand. Both work well, it's just personal preference.

I also keep the temp around 78 degrees.

Filtration will depend on the tank. I have extra filters laying around so I have mine loaded with 1 FX5, 1 XP3, 2 AC110s and an Emperor 400 for a 125G tank.

I currently have 11 Kapampas in my 125G tank and they vary from 4" to 6.5" or so.
Title: Re: frontossa new colony help!!
Post by: gannmann101 on January 30, 2013, 10:17:46 AM
Sounds prety basic thanks for the thoughts. I was going to go with two. Big hydro spong filters a ehiem 27 somthing or other that is laying around. It has the two intake hoses on it. I seen some real cool black and white sand + crushed coral
at the lfs the other day and I will be tring to stick another 180 under the current 180gl I've been wanting to do that for a while
 I will be going with juvies didn't realy think of the hybreeding.  They are such slow growers I didn't think much about breeding at all guess just them bad ass blue fronts for this tank. I can't afford adults. Around here they are going for abouit 150ea.   So for the 180gl. Permenant home 8 2male 6 female??
Title: Re: frontossa new colony help!!
Post by: SirBailey on January 30, 2013, 01:49:58 PM
I used to keep my Colony of 10 in a 150 with two AC110 filters.  Alot will depend on how you feed.  I only fed mine 4-5 times a week.  I spawn and raise the fry at 74 degrees.  They spawn better with sand then they do with gravel. They tend to pick up the gravel and tumble it with the eggs, they can filter the sand out easier.  I use tap water (about 7-7.5 PH) with a coral sand.
Title: Re: frontossa new colony help!!
Post by: Ron on January 30, 2013, 02:58:35 PM
I second the tank cover tight and secure. They WILL jump out (I lost one and found another one in time and threw him back in).
x3. I had the same thing happen - one I heard flipping about and got him back in the tank, but recently had a second find a way out and didn't get to him in time.  :(

I'd also suggest to keep the lighting dim to keep them comfortable and better mimic their natural habitat.
Title: Re: frontossa new colony help!!
Post by: Maize-N-Blue-D on January 30, 2013, 03:16:13 PM
You might want to try Oyers - Brighton.  From what I have read on this and other forums - they have the most extensive Front collection ANYWHERE !
1-810-229-2122 give them a call to make an apt...
Title: Re: frontossa new colony help!!
Post by: gannmann101 on January 30, 2013, 06:12:11 PM
These are some jumpers. Can't have that happen. Lol.  Thanks for the great information.do you sell your fry. SIR
Title: Re: frontossa new colony help!!
Post by: Super Turtleman on January 31, 2013, 02:11:22 AM
These are some jumpers. Can't have that happen. Lol.  Thanks for the great information.do you sell your fry. SIR

Yes he does, that's where I got mine from...and they are great!
Title: Re: frontossa new colony help!!
Post by: SirBailey on February 01, 2013, 07:35:44 AM
Thanks Emil
Yes I do sell fry, but currently out at the moment.
Title: Re: frontossa new colony help!!
Post by: jcunningham0295 on February 02, 2013, 01:04:23 PM
Thanks Emil
Yes I do sell fry, but currently out at the moment.

What strain of fronts are you breeding?
Title: Re: frontosa new colony help!!
Post by: SirBailey on February 02, 2013, 04:50:03 PM
Blue Zaire - Kapampa - Some fry from a few years ago
Title: Re: frontosa new colony help!!
Post by: SirBailey on February 02, 2013, 05:00:20 PM
Dad and Mom
Title: Re: frontosa new colony help!!
Post by: jcunningham0295 on February 02, 2013, 05:01:31 PM
Very nice looking fronts.