[Wet Thumb Forum]-55g Tanganyika Biotope Critique - Aquascaping

Nerbil · 03-05-2005, 04:27 PM

Hi! I'm new here but lurk alot - its a great site! I've recently set up a 55g species tank for my expanding Neolamprologus pulcher population, and this is my first go at a tank this size. I was wanting to tailor the tank to this particular species and tried to go as biotope as was within my means. All comments and suggestions are welcome, especially conerning composition and...uhhh... biotope-ishness.

Tank Size: 55g
Flora: Vallisneria spiralis
Fauna: Neolamprologus pulcher "Kantalamba" (27 juveniles, 1 adult male)
Substrate: CaribSea Eco-Complete Cichlid Sand (Fine)
Decor: 130+ lbs. rock (Sandstone, Quartz rock), driftwood
Lighting: 40w, 5000K
Filtration: AquaClear 500
Water conditions: 8.2 pH; 12dKH; 17dGH; 78F

Robert Hudson · 03-06-2005, 07:38 AM

Hiya Nerbil! Welcome aboard. I really like your rockwork, and the sand you are using seems to match well with the rocks. Looks very natural.

Ben C · 03-08-2005, 01:12 AM

My first impression was "wow! that's really good". i like it because its different. Will be nice to see it when there's a bit more green in it. Nice work

Nerbil · 03-08-2005, 06:22 AM

Thanks Robert and Ben! I can't wait until the vals grow in too, it will help draw the eye away from the busy-ness of all those smaller rocks on the right. I'm still not sure how I feel about that piece of wood though... something's not right about the placement or the type of wood. I need something a bit more branch-y than log-y (they are so words! LOL!).

Robert Hudson · 03-08-2005, 07:57 AM

I don't know anything about these fish, so I cant help you with the biotope! Tell me a little about the fish

Nerbil · 03-08-2005, 11:37 AM

They're just like N. brichardi except for different gill markings and color - but the behavior is the same. They live about 10-30 meters below the water surface off the coast, and this particular species variant comes from the southeastern tip of Lake Tanganyika off of Kantalamba. Substrate-spawners and cave-dwellers, they form colonies where older fry will help raise their younger siblings and protect the spawning site. When breeding, these fish can be vicious and shove all other intruders to the top corners of the tank, hence the affectionate term "Brichardi Death Squad" or "Blue-eyed Stormtroopers".

In the wild, they are one of the few cichlid species that maintain large schools. Neat little fish, even if they are ornery.

skylsdale · 03-08-2005, 12:44 PM

Quote:

...and tried to go as biotope as was within my means.

If you're going for accuracy of the specific area within the lake that they tend to inhabit, I would nix the Vallisneria (and possibly the wood, too).

Nerbil · 03-08-2005, 04:34 PM

Thanks for the tip! I've had a hard time finding pictures and descriptions for that specific area. I've been using Konings' Natural Habitat book as a referrence, as well as the 'Jewel of the Rift' video. If Konings talks about this location in his book, I haven't found it yet.

For some reason, I don't see a whole lot of Tanganyika biotopes out there on the web... I wonder why that is?

Robert Hudson · 03-08-2005, 07:38 PM

I've been debating on whether to suggest that you break up the straight line of rocks to either a V pointing to the rear, or two separate groups of rocks with empty space in the middle. It might make the aquascape more interesting, or just leave it the way it is, I'm torn!

Nerbil · 03-09-2005, 06:19 AM

I've been wondering the same thing - not only for aesthetic purposes, but to break up the territory a bit more for the fish. Right now it is kinda one massive rock formation and the big male kinda thinks it aaallll belongs to him. LOL!