Feeding Trophues

Hello Boys!

My trophs are doing beautifully and yes Mbamba, they are in that 46 bowfront. I have 20 fish total, 7 Moliros and 13 Illangi. I LOVE them. I can sit and watch that silly tank for hours. I have a s**tload of rock work in the tank~ mainly because I like the look, but it does seem to create lots of hidey holes.

At this point, the size of the tank is perfect. They have grown a lot since I got them at the last swap~ was it September? But I think by mid summer or so, I will be in the market for a bigger troph house. I would like to find another bowfront, as I love them. I think the next size up is a 72, which they will end up outgrowing eventually as well. We'll see what shows up on Craigslist and the classifieds when the time comes.

I am feeding them everything I feed my other cichlids, except for larger pellets. Cichlid flakes, spirinula flakes and tiny spirinula pellets. I have lost none to bloat and they all seem completely healthy. There was one little guy in the batch who came with cloudy eyes~ that never resolved, but it doesn't seem to cause him to act any differently than any of the others.

Been doing water changes every couple of weeks and using plain old water softener salt. They are really thriving, so I must be doing well. ;D

Okay yeah i know tori used a 46 bow....thats why i was wondering since i have a 46 bow or my 55 to choose from. But yeah i was thinking about packing them in with alot of rock work and later down the line maybe splitting them up alittle. So it isnt so male heavy incase that happens....but ive never sexed tropheus before so idk if id do that.

I've fed NLS 1mm in the past and never had any problems.  I think the key is to not over feeding them.  I fed a pinch once a day to 18 ilangi and then again later to 14 bemba...tropheus gladly except more food than they can handle and will continue to eat more.  I know many people who swear by lots of small feedings, I am just speaking from what has worked for me.

As far a keeping tropheus in a 55, it can be done.  There are a few strategies in keeping these fish from not killing each others. 

Pack them in.  This is putting in a lot of tropheus in a (usually smaller) tank.  It disperses aggression.  I'd liken it to what people do with mbuna only less severe.  You could pack a bunch of tropheus into a large tank but it isn't necessary since you can also...
Give them lots of space. If there is more space there is more room for fish to get away.
TONs of rock work. This creates a lot of hide outs for fish to get away into.
Very few to no rocks. This creates no territories or very few territories, which will lessen the aggression.

If you have a rock in the tank, chances are you'll have a territory.

I kept my 18 ilangi in a 36"x16"x15" tank from when they were 1.5" until the largest were around 3".  It was certainly a pack'em in strategy.  I did both tons of rocks and very few rocks with success.  Never lost a fish.  Near the end of their stay with me, the problem became more of a cleaning issue as these little guys soon become p0op machines.

I think the worst you can do is grow up a bunch of tropheus and then split the group.  Picking out a few is probably alright though.

Hope this helps.

create multiple rockpiles that will prevent one "king of the mountain " mentality. aslo if you are getting them at the swap they'll probably be pretty small and should be fine in there in till you can upgrade to the 75, 90 or 125.

I thought tori was using a 46 bow? The added width is a huge difference in tanks. If I already didnt have 4 55's in my fishrooms I would never get them again. The width of a tank allows you to keep so many different species not typically suited for a narrow tank such as the 55.

Okay im still go to take the chance with the 55 gallon. I wish i knew how Tori is doing with hers...didnt she put themin a 46? I need to talk  to her...havent in a while.

I feed both my Bemba and my Kiriza O.S.I. Tropical Flake and bbs.  The adults and young all get the same foods and I've yet to have any problems.

The Bemba Orange Flames are not an overly aggressive Tropheus in my experience.  Maybe they have just had some of the aggression bred out of them over a few generations.  While waiting for their tank to be ready, a 75 gallon, I keep the older breeding group-4"+ fish-in a three foot 30 gallon tank were they continueed to breed!  Keeping them crowded does seem to help a ton in reducing the actual beatings that can occur with Tropheus.

In a 55?  Maybe 10 or 12 and hope you get the right mix of males and females.  That's not a lot of space for them.  Mike G has had success with smaller groups in tanks that size,  but most recommend 20ish in a 90 or up.  I have 21 in my 90 with two small rock piles on either end.  This prevents the dominant male from choosing a center rock pile and lording over all the remaining space.  My guys are all about 2.5-3" now and I do have one male that for now is the boss.  He will chase one fish from one side all the way to the other,  up and down,  back and forth 3 or 4 times before quitting.  Then he finds another target.  Mean little S.O.B. But that's why ya get 20+.  He's mean.....but he's got A.D.D. and lots of targets.

I personally wouldn't do it with a 55,  but some make it work.

Well i didnt get them at the last swap...plan on getting them this time if i dont i will be disapointed. But how many would you but in a 55?

Thanks Bembas are what i want. Im talkingto Radek about some type of food he sells.

I have a tank full of Bemba's ..I feed spirulina flake,red flake(color) & mini cichlid pellets..all bought from "Florida Guppies Plus" been using this food for years with all my cichlids! and no problems,fish are healthy , breeding,colorful and no bloat (can't beat the price)...Wilpir