numbers for a 125

[rtague]

Hi guys,I know there are a lot of variables,but what would be a ballpark number of mbuna you could keep in a 125?.w/c would be 50% weekly,filtration would be xp3 x3 and ac 110 x3.What would guys consider over stocking?.Thanks in advance

[Shabe]

Not sure, I have about 50 to 60 in mine if not more. I run two FX5s, I do a 50% water change every week. The water stays clean and the fish are happy.
I also have a 4' bubble curtain and a power head.

[themadhap]

Remembers theres no such thing as too much filtration the more filtration the more fish you can keep i would try 80first and then just add more filtration and most of all its all about W/C you could have a million dollar filter and no w/c and you will still have issues GL and love to see the tank keep us posted

[joe_jaskot]

Why do you have to stock the tank to the max? Putting too many fish in a tank will lead to problems down the road. The more room a fish has the healthier and happier it will be.

[misterted]

125G, plenty of rockwork, over-filtration I would say 35-45 fish is the sweet spot.
I kept 41 in my 125G and 35 in my 75G.

[themadhap]

I love stocky tanks you could get away withit but you got to keep the water 100% so they can thrive ,over stocked tanks are not for evryone.

[rtague]

Thanks guys for the replys,Joe Jascot,I appreciate those words of wisdom.It's not that I want to stuff as many fishes in the tank as possible,it's just that the fish list I have in mind comes out to about 40 or so,
12 demasoni
6 yellow labs
6 acei
6 red zebra
6 white top hara
trio crabro
1 red top zebra
1 lab.mamba
1 greshaki
1T.red cheek.
What do you guys think of this list.Joe Jascot,please chime in.

[DJRansome]

I had 40 in my 125G for a year before it became a Tang tank, it was a mbuna tank. However, 20 of them were Demasoni (half the size, twice the fish). I would not put less than 15-20 Demasoni in a 72" tank.

But I would not mix groups and singles, and I would limit to 5 species...that was just right for my tank.

I would not mix labs and red zebras. You've also got more than one species of labidochromis and metriaclima. Leave out the tropheus. Crabro are big aggressive fish, you would want lots more females in that group.

[Afreakin]

I don't keep Mbuna but I agree with JJ Too many fish w/o ample room will lead to problems down the road. Seems as though you have great filtration in mind and 50% water changes weekly is a recipe for success.

[rtague]

Thanks DJRansom,Areakin,.....DJRansom,I'll up the number of dems.I'm not going to collect or distribute fry so the lab-zebra thing is'nt an issue.What issues do you see with the singles?.Is that an absolute no-no?or would it be just better if I did'nt?.Sorry,but using the species I've chosen,could you give me your suggestion for the stock list?Thanks.

[DJRansome]

I'd just go with the top 5 on your list (same stocking numbers you show but 20 Demasoni) and add 6 Synodontis Multipunctatus to handle those hybrids for you, LOL. I did in fact have that exact 125G tank for a year and variations on it for the prior 2 years as well. Some of the inhabitants now in my 75G are my original mbuna from 2005.

The singles would be male. All those extra males will be hard on the smaller population of females you DO have for the groups, their health/life could be at risk. You would have to cull ALL fry the tank produces, not just lab/zebra. Anything CAN work, but I like high odds of success.

[rtague]

Thanks DJRansome,that makes sense,it's hard to resist wanting a little bit of everything,lol,but I can see the long term implications,better to play it safe.
Thanks again.

[Haplee]

I would stick with the groups like DJRansome advised. The issues with the single fish is going to be agression and crossbreeding.

[rtague]

Thanks Haplee

[fischfan13]

Ray, so whatcha gonna do?
Any update on the list?

[rtague]

Hey ff13,I'm gonna go with ,
20 demasoni
6 labs
6 acei
6 ob zebras
6 white top hara.
Thanks for all the advice guys.

[DJRansome]

Don't forget 6 Synodontis Multipunctatus to take care of the lab/zebra hybrids, LOL.

[rtague]

Oh yeah,thanks DJ.:)

[fischfan13]

Ray, I am asking Peter Rubin from Atlantis to get Syno's for our Feb 28th road trip.

[rtague]

Exellent:)

[fischfan13]

Funny that you replied.
Jenn just informed me that they have plenty of Syno Multipunctatus!