Tanganykan suggestions

Thanks @Jack Stone thats a very good answer! That definetely makes my life easier, now I just need to source these species and try sell the ones I already have... Why 1 Brichardi? I already have 4.. Are you saying I should sell 3 of them?

 

Howzit @EnvironmentalBro

Yip, I would probably end up removing all but one Brichardi to stop them from breeding, you might be able to keep more if they're the same sex.
Ideally, let them pair up then put the breeding pair in a separate tank (90cm - 120cm).

They're great fish for a species only tank, the bigger the better as they will breed until the tank is full of babies (of different ages and sizes of course).
That way you can then put select juveniles in your community now and then, sell them off when they get too big and put in another group of juvies
.
I might be tempted to do the same with Frontosa if Cyprichromis are not an option but you'll want to buy them very small and not grow them too large.
You just can't trust a Frontosa with mouth-sized fish in the tank, and of course Cyprichromis form a large part of their natural diet.

Where are you planning to get your fish from?
Let me know via PM if the forum doesn't allow you to mention the name.

I can help you out with most of those species, all a similar size (to each other).
Unfortunately they're nowhere near the size of your fish if the photos are anything to go by.

I think the Tretocephalus and Brichardi might have a field day killing off every one of my fish... well, a 3cm Leleupi might survive, they're tough enough.
Your Julidochromis will probably kill off these smaller Julidochromis unless your Julie finds a mate in the new lot. Birchardi will kill Pulcher and probably Caudopunctatus.
Tret (do they not eat snails in the wild?) will probably suck up the Multies.


Anyhow, here is what I can sell to you at the moment...

Julidochromis Marlieri (3-4cm)
Neo. Pulcher (Brichardi type) (3-4cm)
Neo. Caudopunctatus (3cm)
Neo. Multifasciatus (1-1.5cm)
Neo. Leleupi (have larger but for community I'd suggest taking the smallest one, of +- 3cm)

Can send you that lot in suitable numbers and sizes but obviously only if you get rid of those you already have or are willing to grow these out separately, otherwise it's going to be a slaughter house.

Starting with smaller fish is going to make tracking down the rest of the species much easier.

In my experience, if you can find a Tanganyika fish at a retailer, it's going to be a juvenile. Kind of a mission to integrate with a large Five-bar (Treto) or some Tropheus.
Unfortunately, you might not ever find another Five-bar, but you can probably go with some juvenile Frontosa instead.

Starting with juveniles is by no-means the only way to do things, that's just how I would do it.

From my previous list you would only have to find Altolamprologus, Cyprichromis and Buescheri (all of which were available recently, none any-more I don't think). The Cyps were tiny, Altolamps decent size (you want them to start larger because they grow slowly) and I never got to see the Buescheri (timing was just horrible, I love that fish but want from a specific location on the lake).

You can probably add a Cylindricus in there too... but again, watch that they don't give the Multies (shell dwellers) trouble, like the Leleupi might.

Feel free to fire away any questions you may have.

@Naathir - maybe you can chip in with some of your knowledge and experience with Tanganyika communities?
I know @keith1964 will have some different information too, he successfully managed to keep a 2m tank with species and breeding groups I wouldn't dare put together.

 

@Jack Stone I can't pm you because your inbox is full apparently.

I like this idea very much so I am going to try sell all my current species and start fresh with a bunch of Juvies, its very enjoyable watching them grow anyway. I will take your word on the suggested species as I can see you know what you are talking about!

Thanks very much for taking the time to write such a thorough response! +1

 

Hi @EnvironmentalBro

Sorted out my inbox. @HalfmoonBetta - see you tried to do a PM too. Sorry folks.

No problem man, I never noticed it was that long... just enjoy talking about Tanganyikan cichlids and can't wait to set-up my own "large" tank.
I want something ridiculous though, maybe 4-5m x 1.5m x 1m high, concrete tank with a few front glasses... public aquarium size if I can... hahahah, wouldn't we all?

 

@Jack Stone Haha that a very valid point, I am determined to have a pond/tank one day... It must be big enough to dive in