tank size

[bob terp]

I have been trying to find some info if its possible to have a thriving group of trophs in a 4' 75 gal tank. I know anything is possible but I need to know if it is not a good idea or is it reasonable. I'm sure that a 6' would be better but I only have 3 and to many trophs. Thanks for any help, Bob

[TailFinsLLC]

That's definitely a reasonable size, I kept a colony of sixteen tropheus lufubu in a 75 without feeling like they were overcrowded.

[Ron]

That's definitely a reasonable size

x2, but I wouldn't go any smaller.

[bob terp]

Thank you for your replies. I'll continue to keep at least 2 of the 3- 75 gal tanks of trophs where they are for now. I need to move my fronts out of a 75 gal to a 125 that I am about to setup. I didn't expect the fronts and other tank mates to grow so quickly, the 125 was supposed to be for the trophs. Situation kinda complicated and I don't want to bloat anyone. Anyhow I'm happy to get replies being a newbie. Thanks again, Bob

[Ron]

The fronts may be more concerning than the trophs IMO. I've experienced the same over the last few years - those fronts can grow quick for their reputation! Once they get a bit bigger they are supposed to slow down. Eventually you may need a wider tank than the 125 for them to turn around happily. I've got a group around the 4"-8" mark that I'm hoping to move from a 100 (same footprint as a 125, just a few inches shorter in height) to a 180.

[bob terp]

I've got 3 Placidochromis Phenichilus,4 Blue Dolphins, 2 Peacocks and 6 fronts all being about 4" in the 75. I'm trying to finish up another double rack to put the 125  front tank on. Trouble is it will have room for another 6 footer on the top rack. Now I have to decide if I will spend the money on another 125 (which I already have)or use the top rack for smaller tanks. If I buy another big tank then I will have to add to the trophs to bring their numbers up.Decisions,decisions,money,money?

[bob terp]

Received 20 Red Rainbow trophs for the 75,they are 1" at most so will see how it goes.

[Ron]

Cool - keep up with the water changes, keep stress low, and hopefully you should be good to go!

[bob terp]

Thanks for the replies. I went to a new system to keep track of the filter medium changes,gravel cleaning,and water changes. I came up with a cheat sheet thats easy and quick to read for each tank. I had been using a calendar but there wasn't enough room for all the info. I recently sat back and tried to remember the last time I cleaned the gravel in a few tanks.When I realized it was August I new I had to get more organized. Thankfully I was 8-10 days at most on water changes and had no fish problems. I'll be sure take good care of them. Thanks again Bob

[GrizzlysDad]

As you probably already know, Tropheus are prone to bloat. Practice extra due-diligence when cleaning the gravel. Keeping any rotting food or waste out of the rocks/decor is much more important than what you feed them.
Contrary to popular belief, you can feed Tropheus meaty foods such as blood worms and brine shrimp.
I have bred and raised Tropheus feeding them both of these frozen foods several times per week and never had the tanks get bloat. I learned this from a very experienced breeder and wholesaler who feed all his Tropheus brine shrimp every single day.
Live baby brine for the fry all the way up to adult brine for the juvies and adult breeders.
Almost everyone will probably disagree with this, and I was skeptical at first but, I tried it and kept with this food regimen constantly when I kept Tropheus.

[Ron]

Almost everyone will probably disagree with this, and I was skeptical at first but, I tried it and kept with this food regimen constantly when I kept Tropheus.

Yep, LOL. I can see using small amounts of brine shrimp as I realize aufwuchs does include animal protein content.

I hate feeding blood worms to anything due to potential health risks of all involved (humans and fish). Fish with shorter intestines I'd be less worried about.

[GrizzlysDad]

Almost everyone will probably disagree with this, and I was skeptical at first but, I tried it and kept with this food regimen constantly when I kept Tropheus.

Yep, LOL. I can see using small amounts of brine shrimp as I realize aufwuchs does include animal protein content.

I hate feeding blood worms to anything due to potential health risks of all involved (humans and fish). Fish with shorter intestines I'd be less worried about.

  I know...I didn't believe it either, but when I was tasked with caring for the 800 or so tanks while they were out of town, I fed brine shrimp daily as instructed and then started the same thing with my Tropheus. Since then, I have NEVER had Tropheus with bloat again.

[bob terp]

Thanks for the tips. I've been feeding Dianiche,NLS cich and Kens spirulina,so far so good. I syphoned all the gravel rather than stir it up and filter it.I got thinking that might not pollute the water as much. Back to the way it was done years past when all my tanks had undergravel filters (glad to not have those again). I've got 12 tanks setup now 5 with trophs so I've got to keep on schdule or fall behind. Thanks Bob

[Nick]

Thanks for the tips. I've been feeding Dianiche,NLS cich and Kens spirulina,so far so good. I syphoned all the gravel rather than stir it up and filter it.I got thinking that might not pollute the water as much.

I  have only been keeping tropheus for 8 months and I use a combination of Dainaiche, NLS and Kens Spirulina, Kens Super Moist veggie pellet. No problems yet and my fish are thriving. Interestingly enough Dainachie actually has quite a bit of meat protein. The quality of the food and the amount you feed have an equal part in if your fish remain healthy.

As you probably already know, Tropheus are prone to bloat. Practice extra due-diligence when cleaning the gravel......
Live baby brine for the fry all the way up to adult brine for the juvies and adult breeders.

I have actually had 2 other breeders tell me similar things. They feed brine shrimp and regular cichlid food on a regular basis. Regardless of the fish he also mixes in Spirulina flake. Basically makes everything well balanced. As I stated above. The amount you feed and the amount you clean have the most to do with it.