Michigan Cichlid Association
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Steve on October 09, 2013, 11:42:51 PM
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I have some questions for those that are some frontosa guys. First let me give t6he details of what we are talking...
My tank...
265g....7ft long x 2ft x 31"
Filtration dual fx5's
Heater...inline 300w Hydor x 2
Now...I was thinking peacock and hap with some of the bigger haps in this one since I have peacock and hap tank (55) upstairs, just not as big. But I've been kicking around the idea of a frontosa colony in this 265.
I've never had a single front so would like some info. First...I know from a few guys I talk too...the "bars" being perfect make them worth more correct? So if I was to do a colony of them in my 265...how many would I do....and then per front, what cost are we talking? and where is the best place to get good quality front?
Also....I'm working on my 3d BG in that tank which I planed on for peacocks and haps...if I went with front, would I have to chance anything to make them happy? and is the filtration (2xfx5) okay for them IF I decided to go that way?
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First I'd look around at the different variants available & the costs of each variant. Decide which one you like & which one you can afford.
I went with Burundi because of the lower cost & availability. My other choice was Kigoma. But, the Burundi came along first. I wanted something that I wasn't going to sink $1,000+ into a colony & wanted 3"+ fish because I'm impatient.
The thing with the bars is nice clean lines & looking like they do in the wild.
How many? I have 10total in my 135 at 3-5"
Filtration? I'm running 2 hydro V pros & an AC110
Background? I'd keep it simple & not impede swimming space.
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I admit, I've only been looking tonight lol, but Burundi so far was actually what I have been looking at I think. Yeah I deffinattly don't want to sink $1000 into them if I did front Blair, I'd like to try to keep it around $300-$600 at the most for fish in this tank. So if you did 10 in your 135, would I be looking at maybe 15-18 in my 265??
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I'm not really sure this is my first go at Fronts & I'm playing it by ear.
Do you mind growing your Fronts out? If not I'd get ahold of usk12 & grab some of his Burundi. If you want a nicer variant.... PM Sir Bailey & see if he has anything available
Need to hold off? Kaia has those Moba & Emil has Kampampa - they may have some available when you're ready.
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I'd like some decent size since the tank is so big...but I guess I'd ask, how fast do they grow? because I really love the look of the big 8"+ ones...but if I got some 3-4"ers...would it take a long time to get them that size? more than normal mbuna / peacock growth rate?
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They seem to hit about 5" or so pretty quick and then slow down after that.
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Ron Tecklenburg sells mobas 20 a piece. really nice looking fry.
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Is the discussion about numbers based on the long term or the short term? Short term you could put 50+ in a 265 gallon. For the long haul, I'd suspect a dozen would be a good number. They get to be thick, 12"+ fish and take up a lot of space.
As for pricing, @1"-2", you'd be able to find the cheaper ones for $5ea and the most expensive would probably run up to $30ea. Larger fish start to cost quite a bit more unless you find someone in need of selling quickly. As mentioned above, they grow decently quick for a bit, then slow down.
Regarding barring, incomplete or improper bars are a defect. If you'll never be breeding them, maybe it's not a big deal, but I wouldn't pay the going rate for substandard fish. You may also have trouble selling them later if the markings are poor. Also take a few moments to lookup what "mooning" is with regards to frontosa.
Unless you've fallen in love with them already, I'd suggest trying to watch someone else's adult colony for a while before getting any. They aren't like haps/peacocks. They'll all be the same colors. They may "think" a bit more and show more 1-on-1 interaction with you, but they aren't always showy/flashy/action-oriented and become more cautious as they grow older IMO.
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Other than really like them... I dont know much about Frontosa. ;D
But, if you want to get a colony going... my suggestion is to start with them as small as you can put up with and start with about double the quantity that you wan to end up with.
Then, as they grow... you can weed out (sell) the ones that are not up to the standards of what you want.
Good luck!
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Good info above. Do you like the big hump on the head or smaller? That would be a factor in deciding which ones to get.
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I have 11 gibberosa Moba in my 8' 220 gallon
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I have 11 gibberosa Moba in my 8' 220 gallon
Gibbawhat?
8)
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Gibberosa. You know, Frontosa from the South.
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Gibberosa. You know, Frontosa from the South.
Lol Emil. Scientific name.