How many Multipuncatus or Petricola?

ecoli · Post by **ecoli** » 23 Aug 2005, 17:29

I currently have a 110 Gallon(bottom area 60"X 18") stocked with around 25 Mbunas with plenty of rockwork.

I was wondering if I were to add S. Multipuncatus and/or S. Petricola, how many can I stock given there are no other catfish in the tank? Also, can I safely stock both species at the same time? The water parameter is that of the typical African tank.

Thanks!

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 23 Aug 2005, 17:38

I would choose one species for the simple reason that S.multipunctatus grows much larger than S.petricola. Both have a more or less similar pattern, but some of them are large and the others are (remain) small. In my opinion this doesn't look nice.
It's like keeping Petrochromis with Labeotropheus, if you see what I mean.

ecoli · Post by **ecoli** » 23 Aug 2005, 17:49

Thanks!

How many of them could I put in the tank of that size, given that I am only going to purchase one or the other.

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 23 Aug 2005, 18:27

Depends on which species you choose.
I would take a group of 7 S. multip.
If you want the S. petri. you could take a few more.
Neither group should be less than 5 in my opinion.

ecoli · Post by **ecoli** » 23 Aug 2005, 20:13

Thank you for the info!

laurab5 · Post by **laurab5** » 23 Aug 2005, 22:36

Honestly, I would go with petricola and do a group of 15. If you have alot of rockwork, this number of them will be awesome in their. They school, and are always out.

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 23 Aug 2005, 23:14

ecoli wrote:Thank you for the info!

You're welcome. Of course you'll let us know which choice you have made (in due course)?
BTW: what Mbunas have you got?

ecoli · Post by **ecoli** » 24 Aug 2005, 02:11

I will post pictures when everything is setup.

As for Mbunas, I just have flocks of M. Estherae, M. Lombardoi, OB L. fuellebroni, and L caeruleus.

Nothing too exciting...The stars of the tank are going to be the catfish. With a baby coming, I will be pretty hard pressed already to justify to my wife about the 7 multis I am going to get

One more question. I will be getting lunar lights as well. Which color is better, blue or red in terms of minimal disturbance to the catfish. The blue looks better but which color does the catfish prefer?

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 24 Aug 2005, 08:24

ecoli wrote: As for Mbunas, I just have flocks of M. Estherae, M. Lombardoi, OB L. fuellebroni, and L caeruleus.

I was asking this, because in my tank C******ds were "Foster parents" for young S. multipunctatus. As you know this species drops its eggs between those of spawning C*****ds (mouth breeders!!), thus letting them take care of the young Synos (if you didn't know, check the CateLog).
I think this may work with the lombardois and fuellerbornis.
BTW: you can see the difference between male and female Synos: male have a papilla before their anal fin.
BTW2: multis are very active during the day; they will bring you a lot of fun.

ecoli wrote: With a baby coming, I will be pretty hard pressed already to justify to my wife about the 7 multis I am going to get

Tell your wife there are plenty more babies on their way; that is: Syno babies

ecoli wrote: One more question. I will be getting lunar lights as well. Which color is better, blue or red in terms of minimal disturbance to the catfish. The blue looks better but which color does the catfish prefer?

Sorry, I can't tell you that. But what about no disturbance at all?? Lights out. Will do some good to your fish AND to your wallet!

PS: all references in this post concern S. multipunctatus.

ecoli · Post by **ecoli** » 26 Aug 2005, 15:32

Thank you again for all the info

stallion81 · Post by **stallion81** » 03 Sep 2005, 23:59

Hello. You cant go wrong with 7 Multis. Thats my number till I added 2 babies.You might have luck with the Fulleborni. But they are hard to tell if they are holding or not, and I wouldn,t give cat fry a much of a chance in that tank. As for lights I have never tried the blue(moonlight) lights but are looking into them.I have used red light bulbs in clipon lights shining through the tank with great success. I imagine the blue would not bother them much also. You AND your wife will love them cats.