How Many AFRICAN CICHLIDS Should You Keep?

I have made many videos about African cichlids and how many to keep in an aquarium. Today, I provide an update on my opinion about how many should be kept in a fish tank.

#africancichlids #tazawatanks

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58 West Portal Ave 235
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[leedanable]

I’m blessed to have seen your fish room in person and what great advice you’ve given me. Love the new setup and fish look great! You’ve kept this hobby alive for me.

[markhunter]

Tank and fish look amazing, I could watch it all day. All the best for 2021.

[mzmamamiavirgo]

Your african cichlid videos inspired me when I first started keeping fish. Multiple tanks later, fully addicted to african cichlids!!!

[seansquill]

Lol I leaned this the hard way. My 75 has 22 African Cichlids in it, mostly Peacocks and a few haps. Got them mostly all at about 2 inches or so. I must be honest, it was fine for about 6 months up until about 2 months ago when the aggression began as they got older and bigger. I have always done 2 water changes per week, around 70% for both changes and have never had water quality issues. I did have an ick breakout but that was due to an incoming fish that got stressed and now I always quarantine before a fish ever goes into my main tank. They are all now in the 5-6 inch mark and I must say the last 2 months have not been fun, a few of the smaller fish began getting bullied by the larger fish and I would have to take out an injured fish and let them recover for about 2 weeks in a hospital tank. And when you have fish as I do, OB’s, Taiwan Reef, Venustus, Livingstoni, Blood Dragon, Buco Hap, it’s really hard to say just take the bully out. Take one out and another steps up to take over. Yesterday my Taiwan reef and Buco basically teamed up, chased, bullied, and beat up one of my nicest fish. In the time I’ve had them I’d never seen that type of behavior to that level. I took him out and he died later that night . That was the last straw for me. I’m bringing them all to a friend with a fish store so he can re home them and I’m turning my 75 into a South American tank and going a more peaceful route. I’ll probably come back to the Africans when I find time to set up a 125 because I do honesty feel fish of that size with that aggressive nature need as much space as possible...just my take on things. Thanks for all the helpful Tips Zenzo...always a gentleman when answering questions about fish Keeping 🙌🏼🙏🏻 As Arnold Said, I’ll be back!

[prometheus]

Most honest and humble guy on here, I love my tank, but I hate it as well. Now with a lower stock, I feel like it’s better, than the other day I lost a beauty to aggression that finally coloured up after a year, it was his death sentence this is why I hate it, losing a 70$ fish hurts. I’m at lucky 13 now with a school of syno cats.Less water changes and waste has definitely helped with more time. Focusing on shrimp and plants now has been a lot better and less stressful. Neocaridina and crypts don’t kill each other lol.

[sschario]

I'm new, started keeping mbuna in my 75 gallon, fifteen months ago. My current stock of 23 is what I feel the tank can comfortably accommodate. If they grow to 5-6" I will have decisions to make. For now, they seem quite happy swimming among the limestone rocks, medium-sized manzanita, and a few artificial plants. Your thoughts in this video are refreshing to hear. Happy New Year.

[TazawaTanks]

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[MightyMoran]

Thank you for posting this, because I couldn't understand why everyone on the cichlid forum was so critical of stocking numbers. I now see that it is about maintenance. I am grateful that I listened to your old advice on Mbunas, because they were so aggressive settling in together as juveniles. I started with 20 males in a 55 gallon tank. They have thinned down to 13 and have found their own balance which will be better for me to keep up on. Now I know not to add more unless I get a bigger tank!
Ironically, the ones that look alike have found peace together, something that I thought would be a serious problem.

[litolocofish]

Some of those bulls have humps. Very beautiful Zenzo...we all grow brother but your doing something right because your fish are so healthy and happy 👌🏽❤

[inquisitivealbertan]

Great looking tank with the rocks and reduced population, Zenzo. Kudos to you for updating your subscribers on your new approach to tank stocking. Subscribed. thank you for sharing.

[RogueAquariums]

I think you’re right on the money Zenzo. I used to keep Central & South American cichlids in the past and had to deal with issues when I couldn’t always do water changes on a regular basis. I think if you can keep on a schedule then packing more fish into a tank is definitely possible. Aggression and nitrates are things that can also come into play as well if our tanks are too packed.

[patriziabeaucage]

Agreed! Over stocked is cool but so much work for the regular aquarist

[aquienpuedainteresar]

Thanks for update on stocking, I'm really thinking on setting a 75 peacock thank.

[brianp]

Good info! I have kept tropical fish for 30 years but only have had African cichlids since July. I set up a 125g and I currently have 20 male peacocks and haps. I also have 8 synodontis petricola cat fish and 2 - bristle nose plecos. Watching your videos and others talk about over stocking has always been a bit of a sore spot for me. For decades I have tried to not overstock community fish. The theory made sense to curb aggression so my plan to throw about 40 cichlids in the 125. As my fish grow I decided not to do that. They are not full grown so I can only imagine what 40 full grown fish would be like. I am glad you made this video to confirm that to many is not the best way. I may add 5 more to make it 25. I have 2 - FX6 on this tank and 2 power heads. I do 50% once a week. My water quality is excellent and fish are healthy. Thanks for your inspiration to get me to try the African cichlids. I did research for about a year before I took the plunge. Your videos as well as Jay Wilson, KG tropicals, King of DIY and Primetime were my teachers. Thanks again

[brandonsaquariumsandterrar]

I agree with you, it looks better with less fish and the rocks

[mr_walker_chris]

Agreed my man... just enough stock to curve aggression but not make them aggressive either by never having a break. 💯

[rigidstonerottweiler]

Tank looks great.
I think your new idea is good especially when the fish get bigger. When you purchase smaller guys they will grow up like yours and sometimes we forget that.
Great work

[travis]

Kudo, when I heard the amount of water changes you were doing I was blown away. You are a beast to be able to keep up with all your tanks and keep them in such beautiful shape.
As an aside I have a couple of ruby cichlid (geophagus steindachneri) they recently did some brooding. I have not seen the live babies in a few days. Will parents eat young? I also have a couple blue dwarf gourami and some danio in tank. Thanks for all your hard work

[adammason]

I love that saulosi tank ive got my own 75 gallon one now as well. Ive just put some rustys in with them as well though. Hardly any aggression from any of them at the moment.

[cichlid_kings]

Tank looks great man. Not as busy as before. Appreciate you sharing the knowledge and experience with this hobby. Looking to update a current community 75G or new 125G for all male peacocks. Want to make the least amount of mistakes as possible. Thanks for the content.