Keeping Frontosa's

[CichlidMan08]

I know that you guys have probably heard about some strange setups. I was wondering if I could keep some Forntosas in my 55 gallon. It is stocked with nice River Rocks forming Several Caves. I have always loved them. I have 2 Mbuna's in there. I knw mixing lakes is not good but requirements are about the same.

Here are my Water Conditions (Water Parameters):
Nitrate=10ppm
Nitrite= .3 ppm
Hardness=75gH
Alkalinity=180kH
pH=8.0
ammonia=0ppm

I would love to keep a few of them. I know they get large but I love them!

 

[Orion]

I hear ya. I really like Fronts too. One day I will have a nice large colony of them.

I have a 75 gallon, and I wouldn't even dream of keeping fronts in it for long term. Its just too small for a colony, and fronts should not be kept otherwise.

Also in any size tank, keeping fish small enough to fit into the mouth of an adult front is a bad idea. They will be ate. Frontosa's eat other fish in the lake, and they will be more than happy to do this in the home as well.

For short term, a 55 would work. But even this wouldn't be advised. You water looks pretty good for Rift Lake cichlids, have you thought about some other's?

 

[Cichlid-Man]

They grow slow, if you can bear to part with them when need be or can get another larger tank then why not? Of course i'm talking anywhere from 1-3"ers.

 

[Managuense]

i would get those nitrites down first, but you could certainly raise out several for a year or more before moving up to a 180 gallon or better.

 

[CichlidMan08]

Well I just Read that you can keep at least one Frontosa in a 55. I know they need to be in a colony but it IS NOT required.

 

[Managuense]

I know they need to be in a colony but it IS NOT required.

so which is it? *laughingc

 

[bfish]

maybe he meant they would be happier ing a colony managuese sheesh nitpicky fer lol

 

[Orion]

Lots of things for many different species are not required for the fish to live, but that does not meen that it will live a long healthy life.

 

[Exevious]

you can read all over the place that goldfish and betta bowls are great things....

Doesnt make it right.

 

[Managuense]

actually, i once raised some juvies in a 125 gallon and found that they were extremely shy in such a large tank, but in a 55 gallon were much more "lively".

over the long term these suckers need a large tank (larger than a 125 gallon) but at the start i like them in a smaller set-up.

 

[phOOey]

i cant imagine a singal front being very happy in a 55g. i expect the quite sociable fish if they live in colony's so he would not have a very fun life.

 

[daveheard]

I am setting up a front tank in the near future, proposed house move allows large tank ( WHOOPEE ), I was going for a 88gal tank ( Jewel Rio 400 ) and was thinking of keeping 3 - 4 fronts plus a couple other fish yet to be decided, but going by the other replies this would be deemed overcrowded for such a large fish. A fish stocking density calculator ( http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/stocking_density_calculator.php )says that that size tank should accomodate 95" of fish, so 4 fronts easily fit into that equation. What do others think about this idea ???

 

[Fish Friend]

Hey i know this is totally off subject here.. but i love your avatar phOOey

 

[Orion]

The inch per gallon rule isn't that accurate and more of a rule of thumb than anything.

Large colony's (12+) of fronts look awesome in big setups. Also be warned that while the fronts are rather timid and peacefull, they will be more than happy to eat any fish thats small enough to fit into their mouth.

 

[phOOey]

lol cheers fish friend, its a clouded leopard in case you were wondering

 

[Exevious]

The inch per gallon rule isn't that accurate and more of a rule of thumb than anything.

Ive only seen that rule connected to tropical community fish... Im not sure that it was ever meant for aggresive species..