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Right now, my tank's not overstocked. But oh, it will be. I know it'll get there, and I dont see another big tank in my future-- I'm running out of space.

I've already given some overgrown fish to an LFS... I doubt they'd want to take more of mine, or if they did, they might lose respect for me as a fishkeeper, or something.

See, these are all fish from when I was a beginner and everyone said "Oh, all african cichlids go great together. Uhh yeah, they'll fit in a 55g."

My favorite fish is my electric blue johanni, which I'm quite sure is at adult size (4 1/2 in). The ones I know will be problems are: red zebra, lombardoi, yellow labs, syndonotis eupterus.

Senegal bichir, I know, will also be a big'un. I may move him to a different tank of mine (also a 55g).

What can I do? Do you think prospects of selling these fish online is good? And after these are gone, what are some good africans who dont get over 4 inches or so?

I've already given some overgrown fish to an LFS... I doubt they'd want to take more of mine, or if they did, they might lose respect for me as a fishkeeper, or something.

That sounds like crazy talk personally.:%)
Why would they lose respect for you?
A lot of people restock their tanks when they want something else. I don't know about the lfs in your area, but some are easily willing to take trade-ins of healthy adults in for juveniles and sometimes more.

To bad I don't live close to you, I would buy that synodotis off you.

How many labs do you have?
Is it due to incompatbility of the fish in the tank that you want to get rid of them or are you just bored of the current stock?

Last edited by openwater at 24-Feb-2005 23:16

I agree with openwater.I know for a fact the LFS in my area are more than happy to trade a few juvenile fish for a healthy adult in which they can get top dollar for. I would simply find a good reputable LFS and continue to try to work out trades with them.

Last edited by Cichlid Keeper at 24-Feb-2005 23:55

I love all the fish, they have great personalities. It's just that I know they're going to get far too big for my tank, and by the time all my fish are at their adult size, my tank will be greivously overstocked.

Slightly crazy super-duper-insecure personality here, don't mind me. I guess it would be best to give them to my LFS. It's a great LFS anyway and takes wonderful care of their fish.

The only fish I intend on keeping are my bichir, my johanni, and MAYBE the syno...s/he's so cute (for having big stabby barbels, that is). I have two yellow labs right now, and they really aren't an issue. The big bully is my lombardoi (as usual).

I know right now, my tank isn't overstocked, but I'm always looking to the future, and I realize within a year or so, I'll be running into problems, so I'd rather take care of it now and get some fish who will be good in my aquarium for life.

Last edited by smantzer at 25-Feb-2005 15:44

most of my tanks are almost always overstocked too. it happens in this hobby. i think that as long as you're responsible about it and you're not constantly flushing money (not fish) done the toilet thats ok. i ussually take mine to my lfs and give it to him so i know that the fish will end up in a good home and alot of times i don't expect alot of money for the fish just that they get placed with a responsible owner.

Boy, my LFS loves taking "trade ins" and gives relly good exchange value -- I swapped a full grown Rainbow Shark that was diving me crazy for a 2" Elephant nose -- We were both very happy with the deal. Ring a few LFS's in your area and you might get a pleasant suprise.

Four african species is not unusual for a 55gallon. How many of each species do you have?

The bichir will be a problem, and the eupterus probably will be as well, but unless you have huge groups of the africans, you can probably keep most of them, if there are no aggression problems (and, as you may well know, overstocking is a common method of keeping aggression down in an African tank).

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde

I just have one of each except for the labs, which I have two of. Unfortunately, I love my bichir, so I'd rather clear out the rest of the tank if I could just keep him. Though, I love cichlids too....

I need a new tank...

Listen, you are not overstocked. Keep the Bichir, Syno(FF),EL's,and your Johanni. Red zebra out(aggresive).Not sure about the lombardi(never kept). Work with that. I have 2 Bichirs and they do great with c*****ds. Senegels "should" only reach 12", and that is not "huge",as my 9" ornate(I know he WILL be huge=36" is not that BIG(alittle under a U.S. half dollar round). Eupterus synos only get bout 6" or so. Maybe go all male tank and put some Peacocks or Haps in there. Stock: 2 EL's,Johanni,Bichir,FF Syno,4-7 male Haps or Peacocks and add a BN plec. Your good to go. Just take care of your tank and all should be good.Remember fish have personalitys so it is best to grow them together as young ones, or try to get similar sized fish and rearange the tank before adding.