Petrochromis in a 240 gallon

[the_watcher]

I am planning on moving 12 Petrochromis into a 240 gallon tank (8 footer) and the amount of waste that they produce would a 30 gallon long work as a sump. I am Using a Mag drive24 . This is a turnover of 10 times .... probably less because of the filtration media...
Also a Fluval X5. What other petros would be able to go into the 240 long.

Presently I have 6 WC Longola and 6 WC Yellow Moshi...
What would go good with this mix....
I don't want to add more of the same.... Presently they have been in a 125
gallon (6 footer).....

So the two questions are:
1: Would a 30 gallon work as a sump for a 240 ?
2: What other Petros would go good with the above petros ?

Was looking to add Petrochromis orthognathus "Ikola"

[AlishanAS]

Longstocking(Sarah) is a Petrochromis person. Hopefully she will see this and chime in.

[Longstocking]

you will flood your house ... you need a bigger sump. Use a rubbermaid tub if mulah is an issue.

yes the ikola would be fine... you are talking about "ikola Ikola" .. not the tricolors right?

Either way they both would work.... but the Ikola's are nicer.

not enough turn over... I think I have about 20 turn over.

[the_watcher]

Sarah
I have a 55 gallon tank (AGA) , but can't drill it (tempered glass ?).... Is the 55 gallon (4 footer) enough for the sump....
I would then place the mag drive pump inside the 55....
Don't want to use a Rubber Maid tub because it would bow and make it hard
to put the filter material in ????? (won't line up with to bow area of the tub)
Thanks
I have been asking a ton of question because I don't want to make any
unnecessary error.... I know I will make a lot but I am trying to minimize
the errors in this new venture of mine.....
Once again thanks to all
Frank

[Longstocking]

I'm so bad at math and I can't find the article I used... I used a reef central referance to know how big of a sump I needed to use to avoid flooding.

I would think a 55 is big enough without any issue. But A lot of it depends on how you building the overflow. Are you doing a hang on the back or internal?

I'm going to get a friend of mine on here that knows more than me.... so I don't quote my husband wrong :lol:

[the_watcher]

Toms Overflow system (hang on) will be used.
I will also be using a Mag Drive 24....
I was also thinking about using a float, with a relay to
automatically shut off the Mag if the water level got too low
(meaning the siphon was broke .....) so the Mag would
not be running while there was no water in the sump....
These Petros are pigs...

[Longstocking]

i just looked over another article.

you want the sump to be about 50 gallons...

take a look at this...

http://www.capitalcichlids.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3621

[Heyguy74]

Toms Overflow system (hang on) will be used.
I will also be using a Mag Drive 24....
I was also thinking about using a float, with a relay to
automatically shut off the Mag if the water level got too low
(meaning the siphon was broke .....) so the Mag would
not be running while there was no water in the sump....
These Petros are pigs...


What is the max flow rate for Toms Overflow system (hang on)? The only ones i found have a skimmer as well. They had a one inch drain hole. You will only drain about 600 GPH. The pump will then overflow the main tank. Just making sure that it will work.

[the_watcher]

Nice,
Sarah so if I need a row boat to get into my basement
will you rent me one.....
I should have a lot of fun reading this ... nice article so far....
Once again
Sarah to the rescue

I have a Rubber Maid tub 50 gallons but it bows when
filled with water..... not to good for building filtration chambers.... ????

Thanks....
Frank

[Longstocking]

drip system... you don't have to go across the sump... you can go down.

You can also build a container. Like discus hans old set-up.

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

I have a Rubber Maid tub 50 gallons but it bows when
filled with water..... not to good for building filtration chambers.... ????


I have a 85 gallon Black Rubbermaid tub I use as a pond I can sell you? I can take a pic of it tonight. It is real sturdy and does not bow.

[the_watcher]

What is the max flow rate for Toms Overflow system (hang on)? The only ones i found have a skimmer as well. They had a one inch drain hole. You will only drain about 600 GPH. The pump will then overflow the main tank. Just making sure that it will work.

Yes Sarah, you are right I will use the overflow(1000 GPH, which probably means 700 -- 800 GPH) on my 125.
My buddy Jack and I will have fun modeling the Tom's Overflow exactly scaled up for use on my 240 ... Jack works with plexi glass.... This should be fun..... And yes I have the mop ready ...... I think the box will be at least 3 one inch drains with the inside overflow spanning about 2 feet (to collect more water faster(special design by Jack)...
Like I said I have the mop ready LOL..... and extra flow can always be diverted back to the sump before it goes to the main tank via a "Y" connector and a ball valve. GET THE ROW BOATS READY....

[Charlutz]

Hey Frank -

Sarah asked me to help if I could. You and I have emailed a couple of times but haven't met yet. I am up in the Hopewell Junction area every Thanksgiving, but you usually are down my way visiting your relatives. Someday I'll see your place. Glad to see you've got the bug again.

Anyway, sump size is a product of several considerations, mostly having to do with space. Since you're going to put it under (I assume) a very large tank, you can go very big with your sump if you want. The best tanks or containers for sumps are long and deep (front to back) and low. This is so that you can work in them in under the stand while still maximizing the amount of water that it can hold. Breeder style 40 and 50g tanks are good for this. For smaller tanks like a 75g a 20 long is better than a 29 as a sump for instance because it's easier to work in.

As long as your sump is big enough to hold your media towers, pumps, UV, refugium or whatever else you plan to put in there, the other considerations are relatively few. You want a sump that is big enough to offset evaporation. If your display tank is not tightly covered, you will lose a lot of water to evaporation. The display tank level is always the same so all evaporation is reflected in a drop in the sump level. So, it's not a big deal for a 240g tank to lose 20g a week in evaporation during the winter. If your sump is a 30g tank (holding only 20g of water because sumps aren't kept full), it will be dry. So you want a big enough tank to offset evaporation. You also can take steps to cover it to combat evap. If you do water changes once a week and only want to add water then, get a sump big enough to cover for a week or more worth of evap.

The other major consideration is what happens when the return pump is shut off for maintenance or a power outage. This is the flood Sarah mentioned, but it is easily obviated. When the pump stops, your overflows will stop draining water fairly quickly, but your pump return line will "back siphon" and dump water in the sump. This back siphon will not stop until air gets in the line and breaks the siphon. If your return outlet is above the water line (splashing water into the tank), you'll have no back siphon at all. If you are like most people and don't want splashing or bubbling, your return outlet will be just below the display tank water line. The water will back siphon and drain into the sump til it reaches the outlet and some air is sucked into the return line. If your return is halfway down into your tank, that will mean 120g of water will go into your sump. If you have a 30g sump, that will mean 90g on your floor.

The are several ways to avoid this and still have a return that does not put bubbles or splash into the display tank. You can incorporate a check valve into the return line. They are fairly cheap. I tried and didn't like a spring loaded one. It didn't work well. The gate valve ones supposedly work better. The way that I chose to do it was to put a "siphon break" in my return line. When I assembled the return outlet, I drilled several small holes in the pvc just below where it came into the tank. When my pump shuts off, the display tank drains a half inch of water and then hits the siphon breaks, air gets in the system and the back siphon stops, so maybe 5g goes into the sump. No moving parts. The only thing you have to worry about are things like plant matter clogging the siphon break. No floating plants! Also, if your pump is strong like yours (I use a Mag 18) if you drill the holes too close to the surface, they will act like a venturi and suck air into the return when the pump is running and put the bubbles in the tank. You can alleviate this by drilling on an up angle and using bigger holes. It takes some trial and error, but pvc is cheap and you don't have to glue the last couple of pieces where the return is in the tank. :)

Long explanation, but I would recommend a sump for your tank no smaller than 40g. I used at various times a 20g and 40g for my 210g tank. 20 was too small. 40 worked fine, but I switched to the rubbermaids you see in that article because I wanted a dual tower setup that wouldn't fit in the 40g. Anywhere from 40 to 75 will be plenty for you. The 55g is kind of high and narrow. If you can fit the height of the 55, a 75 might give you more room to work in.

Incidentally, you don't need any extra aeration with most sump setups. The water gets fully aerated as it flows through the overflows and if you have wet/dry media. No powerheads or surface agitation required. Finally, I don't use a turnover number like Sarah's. The biofilter in most sump systems has a huge surface area from bio balls, pots scrubbies or whatever media you use. You can get great biofiltration with 3-5x turnover. You may want a higher turnover for better mechanical filtration. I have my Mag 18 valved down so it's probably running 1000 gph or so through the system (otherwise it's loud). I haven't kept petros, but I have had some pretty full mbuna tanks. It's your preference for water appearance (mechanical filtration) that will govern your turnover. If you use a big amount of biofilter material in your sump, which you definitely have room for, the turnover won't matter on the bio side.

Hope that helps!
Charlie

[the_watcher]

Thanks Charlie... for the additional info (this will help a lot)...
I think Jack and I have enough information to get our feet wet.... LOL
Thanks to all
BTW this thread quickly took a diversion from Petros to Filtration ... no matter ....
BUT THE PETROS ARE STILL PIGS

[Longstocking]

lol..... no one believes me untill they start pooping in their tank.

[joe_jaskot]

lol..... no one believes me untill they start pooping in their tank.

Can't be any worse than koi. They are poop machines.

[Longstocking]

get a blue giant in your tank... probably about the same.

[the_watcher]

Which looks better ?

Petrochromis Ikola Ikola
Petrochromis Ikola Cape Mpimbw
I never saw either of the above two Petros...
only a few photos.....

Anyway for my overflow box I am using an old
AquaKing HOB Power filter box. I will be using two
1.5 bulkheads (home Depot parts). Each drain line will have a ball valve to control the excess flow. Jack is working on the inside part (the tank side box) to skim the water and to get enough water to satisfy the two 1.5 bulkheads.... I will keep the row boats near ...

[Longstocking]

ikola ikola

A nice one will outshine 90% of petros.

[Charlutz]

Each drain line will have a ball valve to control the excess flow. Jack is working on the inside part (the tank side box) to skim the water and to get enough water to satisfy the two 1.5 bulkheads.... I will keep the row boats near ...

The flow is controlled by the output of the pump, not the draining through the overflows. Once you see a sump in action, it will make more sense. You will want a valve on the output of your pump to tailor the flow to your liking. You may want valves on your drains as you can use them to create a slight amount of back pressure to quiet them. But the drains only drain as much as the pump puts into the tank. As long as the drains have the capacity to drain as much as the pump is pumping you are good to go.

If you want to read up on sumps these three articles (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/gt/index.php) are a good place to start.

[the_watcher]

I have a check valve and a ball valve on the output of the Mag 24.
The ball valves are used on the drain to control the amount of water that
will be siphoned to the sump so it won't over flow.... ??? The drains are 1.5 inches each and there are two of them.. (I am thinking that if a gush of water flows to the sump.... and the Mag can only push out 1800 -- 2000 GPH
initially the sump will overflow.. so that is the reason for the ball valve on the drain )..... I will read the articles...
Thanks

[the_watcher]

I read the articles...... thanks, It just goes to show you , someone is always trying to re-event the wheel... The idea of spanning the water intake over the length of the tank. My Idea is to use a 48 inch florescent light bulb protector tube and 5 inches each for the two display boxes.... wow.... The two small specimen display boxes and connecting these two boxes with the plastic florescent light bulb protector grooved with slits to let the water in. The specimen boxes would also have slits on the top. I would have more water going to the drain and there would be more water surface skimmed. Also the possibilty of less noise . But I still have the row boats near by....

[Longstocking]

How's the DIY going Frank?

having fun trying to keep up with water changes in the 125? ;)

[the_watcher]

DAMN PIGS...
I have to get another job just to keep feeding these things....

Thy DIY overflow..... Well the Supreme Aqua King filter plastic container
works "OK" (along with the Home Depot PVC parts). I am still fine tuning the water flow with the ball valves.... The Mag 24 is doing it's job...
I had to get the water level right so if the power goes the sump won't over flow... when I put the cover over the sump the noise should subside.
I am trying all possible ways to make this thing flood the basement....
so far no success... But the row boat is nearby....
I love the challenge when people tell me not to do something(that I should get Famula to start out with).....
I love these longolas and Moshi.... when I go near the tank they go crazy
(knowing that they are going to get fed)... but get this if my son goes near the tank they come over and then go away.... This is not possible for fish...
I hope that by month's end I will have some Nysan - Lac Famula and some
Blue Fin Famula.... My last colony will be Kasumbe (orange).... That should keep me busy for a long time.....
So much more fun then Neolamps/ AltoLamps/ Leipid/ ....

[Longstocking]

lol they are fun aren't they. They are freak'n SMART fish. I have never seen such a smart fish in any tank or ocean. They are adaptable !! I mean how cool is that.

I hope you have tanks full of them soon. Gobies and Petros are the two fish I really get attached to.

Watch out on the Kasumbe. Females and males can be serial killers.

[the_watcher]

But not as smart as the racoon that has found my garbage cans
as a 24 all night diner..... Boy he is just as messy as the Petros...
He is the biggest pig.... plastic bags and bones all over the drive way.
I think he has been here for about the last 4 days... I will try placing
a half cinder block (8 X 8) on the dumpster lid....
I hope he/she does not get angry and call all of their buddies over for diner
to move the (8 X 8)..... LOL ...
Also I think your right about the Kasumbe... They look crazy..... LOL

Petrochromis Orthognathus Ikola ( is this referred to as IKOLA IKOLA) ...
Is IKOLA IKOLA the photo in Back to Nature ,
Guide to Tanganyika Cichlids 2nd edition page 150 bottom photo ?

[Longstocking]

ok here is the deal Frank...

Remember African Diving :) Ok well, Julie would order a bunch from them. They would come in as "Ikola Ikola". What I "think" is the case... many different locations but the best are probably from "ikola". You know how AD marketed their fish lol....

Steve has some really nice ones... or at least did.

But, yes the nice ones look like the pic on page 150. There are many different locations... some look great ... some not so hot as you can see from the pictures in his books.

I love petros but I wish they would sort out the freakn names.

[the_watcher]

Well I am getting a WC trio of Texas Bulu Point... and WC pair of Kipili Rainbows...
They will go into the 240.... with 11 Orange Fin Silver Streak Famula....
The last group will be Petro IKOLA (IKOLA)... maybe the last group LOL

[the_watcher]

Well I just got back from the airport.....
new additions to the 240 gallon tank...

6 Wild Petro. sp red dorsal rainbow macrognathus Kipili
4 Wild Petro. sp. Tembwe texas

About a week from now I will drive to Valley Aquatics (Steve) and
pick up another Wild trio of Tembwe Texas Bulu Point and
a pair of Petrochromis Rainbow Kipili

So now the total types of Petro
1: Famula Orange Fin Silver Streak
2: Red dorsal rainbow macrognathus Kipili
3: Tembwe Texas Bulu Point
4: Longola
5: Moshi
6: I also have a two WC Kasumbe Rainbow ????

#7 & 8 will be Petro IKOLA IKOLA .... If I can get my hands on them..
and Blue Fin Famula or Famula Kaiser

[ValleyAquatics]

Hi Frank,

The Texas Bulu Point your getting from me are different from the Tembwe Texas that you got.

You've got yourself a very nice collection of Petro's going.

I have Kasumbe, Moshi and Famula Kigoma Red Fin coming soon if your interested.

[Longstocking]

Nice Frank !

Good luck with all of them :)

Red fin steve? Got a pic ? Or any idea what they look like?

[ValleyAquatics]

No pics yet Sarah.

There collected already and waiting to be brought in.

[the_watcher]

Steve,
When is soon (LOL)..... Do you have photos of the Famula
Red Fins.... I am trying to save myself an additional trip to your place... are you talking days, weeks, a month ????
I am going to be the Petro Man in NY (ROLFMA)
Frank

BTW: What kind of Kasumbe ????

[Longstocking]

I know you don't... was wondering if your supplier provided you with one.

[the_watcher]

Hi Steve,
PM sent
Frank

[the_watcher]

Thank again Sarah & Charlie...
The sump is really working fine.... First power outage last nite...
and I did not need the rowboat or the mop....
once again
Thanks

[the_watcher]

Well all hell broke out early this morning (2:00 AM)...
I had just acclimated my 7 new Petro Texas Bulu Points (2 males and 5 female)... This was after getting back in from Steve's (Valley Aquatics) and That Fish Place. I re-arranged the landscape and dumped the 7 new fish in the 240 gallon tank. After sitting down (resting). I noticed a wrestling contest , lip locks , flipping .....you name it.... I was too tired to relocate the 4 Tembwe Petros Tembwe Texas to another tank... These 4 Tembwes just went nuts :crazy::crazy: .... attacking each other and the Texas Bulu Points. What a show ....
I was too tired to do anything so I just disconnected the lights too a shower... (WELCOME TO PETROS)... Now this morning I have to build up
enough courage to go down to the fish room LOL...

[the_watcher]

On Saturday I ventured down to Steve's place (Valley Aquatics) in Allentown
PA. After only spending about a hour at Steve's place I was on my way to That Fish Place. Steve is one of the nicest persons that I have met in this hobby. I have been keeping fish since I was 13 , now I am 60... So I have seen a lot of things in this hobby... I am a pretty good judge of character in this hobby when talking to someone face to face ... After talking to Steve for 30 minutes ... I knew this guys was totally a very good hearted person....
As they say in the professional boxing world "The Real Deal Holyfield" . Now enough of that stuff.
BTW: His fish are really good too....LOL All of his fish were in excellent condition... Although there were too many types of Frontosa there (ROFLMAO)...
I would advise anyone to take a look at his stock as he has excellent fish.
Sarah, at first I thought you were just giving Steve a sales plug....
Sarah you were absolutely right about Steve...
Can't wait for his next shipment....
It was my pleasure and very refreshing Steve to meet you and the
short introduction to your wife.... My apologies to you and your wife that I could not stay longer. Too much driving (490+ miles driving for the day .. :crazy::crazy::crazy: )

[Longstocking]

I don't do sales plugs... never have ;) I may sound like that sometimes... but I only recommend who I know :)

I hope they are all ok... doesn't sound good :(

[the_watcher]

The fighting has subsided..... I guess one of the Texas Tembwe has established him self as the head of that group... but the large Rainbow
male seems to be the boss of the tank....
The Tembwe will have to come out of the tank.... Where to put them is a bigger issue.... I have Petro Texas(Longola) in the 125 and
Petro Texas Bulu Point in the 240....
Well I guess that I have to get rid of a few of the 55 gallon tanks and use that space for 2 125 gallon tanks by All Glass...
(At Petland Discounts the cost 230.00 each)
These Texas Tembwe when 3 - 4 inches long look like Famula....

[Longstocking]

Glad everything worked out Frank !

Glad you are enjoying the hobby again ! It's been a while since I've seen you this excited :)

[the_watcher]

Excited yes ,
But you aint seen nothing yet..... Wait until these petros start having babies... Then you will see EXCITEMENT...
(ROFLMAO) big time ...:crazy::):typing::crazy:

[the_watcher]

You learn something new everyday.....
So this joke is on me... but a pleasant surprise...
Petro. Texas Longala :), Petro Texas Bulu Point :), Petro Texas Tembwe :confused2::heh: Well Petro Texas Tembwe is a Famula..
Todays lesson "NEVER ASSUME" .....
This is what they were listed as when I ordered them (Petro Texas Tembwe)
They actually look very cool..... brown with yellow dorsals.. Upon further research , I was not the only one fooled by the term "Petro Texas Tembwe"
Shame on me....

described 5 different way: Ie:
they are mostly a green looking fish, the males show a yellow-silverish color when they fire up and their eyes have the same color around them and so does the dorsal.

Mine are Brown with shaded vertical bars(lighter shade of brown)and a yellow dorsal ?
http://www.geocities.com/cichlidsfantasy/images/57.jpg


http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=139507&sid=fbb9b348917108ce199adc7d79cc4a9f

Mine look exactly like this

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.tanganyika.nl/afb/P_famula_Tembwe.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tanganyika.nl/P_famula.php&usg=__2tW2BTBe4trCYmzAU2_7M5NNCXs=&h=333&w=500&sz=99&hl=en&start=14&tbnid=Q6uiOhDa34cvzM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfamula%2Btembwe%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%2 6sa%3DG

[Longstocking]

:lol: At least you know :)

It took me years to sort it all out. Really Frank, you need to look at the head of the fish and always ask for pictures so you really know what you are getting. Other wise, you aer guessing when it comes to Petrochromis.

[the_watcher]

Today I had to put the largest fish on TIME OUT ..... The large Petro. Red Dorsal Rainbow(6.5 inches) had to be moved to a 40 gallon breeder TIME OUT TANK ....LOL:jail:
I will keep him there for about a week, then re-introduce him back to the 240.
That bum beat up 2 fish...... had to put them in the infirmary......:pray2::sigh:
I will re-introduce them first before the monster is put back into the 240...

[Longstocking]

Keep him there for more than a week. These fish have pretty good memories and learn freakn fast. Not the same as lamps in that department.

At least two.... IMO.

Get used to pulling fish. It's just part of petro keeping. Eventually you will get things down so you only have to do it once a year ....when they have something up their booties for a week or so :lol: ;)

[the_watcher]

Well, it's time to return fish back to the 240 gallon tank. . The beat up fish have healed.... and look great....

I will increase the water flow rate (current) of the tank ....

STEP1:
I will move a few "Plastic Plants" around maybe some rocks/caves as well..... as I will try and re-introduce the beat up fish back to the 240 gallon tank...
I will immediately feed the fish.... watch them for about an hour ...then turn the lights off..... Only turning the lights on while I am around..... (cut down on aggression) If they are resting in the dark they can't be fighting in the dark (LOL).... Then when and if things are "OK" I will increase the time the lights are on....
STEP2:
Re-introduce the monster the same way as in STEP1.....

I think this could have all been avoided if I had doubled the population in the 240 from day one.... But that was $$$$ issue.... But if things continue it would have been cheaper in the long run.:heh::heh:


Also I will remove these caves that have one entrance...
I witnessed a petro being chased and trapped in the cave
as all hell broke out in that cave, Finally the beat up fish dashed out of the cave with the monster in hot pursuit....


I did not have any of these problems in the 125 gallon (6 footer).... 6 Longolas and 6 Moshi.... heavily planted and with caves... 12 fish as to 125 vs 17 fish to 240 (not enough fish ????)

[Longstocking]

Don't be too sure about them not fighting in the dark...

I've lost fish that way.... Petrochromis fight and will hunt any fish down they do not like. Dark or light.... Females more so.... they are ruthless.

Yes, always have at least 2 exists to a cave.

Cramping them works better... like my 55 with breeding longola :lol:

[the_watcher]

A 55 nice,,,,
I have 13 pond raised Famula Kaiser (3.5 inches) in a 55 (4 footer)... no real problems (YET) ... But I guess this don't count because they are not wild.... I guess I will solve this problem with the 240 sooner or later ...hopefully not later :pray2: .... LOL

I will completely re-arrange the 240 and introduce 13 WC Famula, this will bring the total fish count to 30... I will dump the 2 WC Petro Rainbow Kasumbe :rainbow: in the 240 as well. The Kasumbe I got in a trade for Longicaudatus...
The Kasumbe are in :jail: waiting to get paroled. So the final count would be 32 Petros in the 240...
Then I will wait for world war 3.

[daniel4832]

I hope the Kasumbe breed for you like they did for me!
I'm down to one male :sigh: (yours killed mine) so if you ever want to sell your group...
Thanks,
Daniel

[the_watcher]

That is exactly what happened to my group when I first started. I had a group of 8. Then I took the best two looking ones (male/female) out of the tank (which are the ones you got in the trade). I introduce another male that I got from
Doug Conkling which was in a tank all alone (Doug had no luck with these guys , the male killed the rest of the group).
Well 2 weeks after I introduced the new male to the group of 6 he killed the alpha male. Then they started breeding ...
Green eggs.... (anywhere from 5 to 35) ...... I have noticed
that mine have gotten into a habit of eating the eggs ( this just started to happen in the last 8 months... only feeding once a day... ?????).. I still see young, but I never collect them ( I am not going to raise just 3 or 4. I want to get a big clutch of eggs to raise) I guess I have to fill them with all kinds of goodies.... I have to raise 12 of these guys....... Well when I got home tonight , speaking of a big clutch look what I found in one of the caves..... I usually see this at least once a month.... 25+ green eggs... Now If I get some time I will take the eggs out....
of the tank using some of the tank water.... I never take eggs out of the tank ..... this is the first time...... So I will split the clutch and divy it up 3 ways....

[Longstocking]

Maybe email Apexpredator. I know he has bred them. I think he had them in a 150. With a blue giant and some other random petros....

[the_watcher]

Well there are babies in my 125 gallon tank(6 footer)... I don't know if they are Petro Longola or Petro Moshi ... I saw 3 peeking out of the bottom of the rocks.... It will be impossible to get them out of the tank (many rocks, caves, plastic plants).... LOL

[Longstocking]

Congrats ! Yes it is hard to tell when they are holding :lol:

Not an easy thing to do Frank ! You must have something right :)

[the_watcher]

Congrats ! Yes it is hard to tell when they are holding :lol:

Not an easy thing to do Frank ! You must have something right :)

Yeah LUCK , not skill....
My TR Famula Kaisers are holding , at least 2 females...
They are easy to spot when holding.... They are in a 55 gallon (4 footer)
loaded with PVC pipes , no gravel , no sand... Aqua Clear 110 ....

Thanks

[the_watcher]

I love these little pigs , I mean petros, well sometimes... except when they go on a killing spree.

I recently moved my Tri-Colors to my 125 gallon tank with the Longolas and Moshi.
One of my Tri-Colors is holding.... I just noticed that she is chewing and not eating... now the question is should I let her spit in the tank(Longolas, Moshi, Tri-Colors). If I don't let her spit , how long should I wait before I strip the young. Also would a tank with gravel work for the young when I strip the young ?

[the_watcher]

Well I just finished putting my 7 Blue Giants in my 240 gallon tank.
They are awesome, really nice iridescent blue.... and the are giants.

[Longstocking]

good luck with them Frank... wish I had the room.