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Hi everyone

I am setting up a Pseudotropheus saulosi species tank and I am concerned with the stocking levels that I will have. I understand that you can overstock to reduce aggression etc and I have read just about every article on them on the net...not quite but close to...... to try to find stocking examples but everyone just mentions that they should be kept 1m:3+f and no suggestions for tank size etc for multiple males. The tank will be a traditional Malawi setup with rocks and I will be hopefully using some marine sand to help with buffering. Here is the setup I am planning.

36x14x18 (std 3' 148 ltrs)

9 Ps saulosi (3m:6f)(wanting 12 @ 3m:9f)
1 Synodontis njassae
1 Bristlenose

Filtration : 1 x Fluval 4+ (internal)

My main concern is that I would like to increase the m:f ratio with another 3 females to further reduce aggression towards all the females and understand that having 3 males will direct more of their aggression away from them already. I have kept these guys before but only at 1:3 not with multiple males or such a large colony. Basically I want to know if 12 will be to much for the 3'. I am planning to move them to a std 4', where i will once again add more saulosis to 5:20, in the future but not for a while yet.

Thanks in advance
Trav

I think that 12 saulosi in a 40ish gallon tank is a lot, but possible. I do think you need better filtration though, maybe a canister (Fluval 403 or something would probably do nicely). With plenty of rocks and caves the 3 males shouldn't be a problem. Saulosi are one of the more peaceful species anyway. You may end up with one of the males being hyperdominant, and the other 2 males may never have full colouring or end up breeding, but I don't think there will be deaths or anything.

In a standard 4ft - usually 55 gallons - 25 fish is probably too much in the long run. It would work for juvis, but you would have to thin out the numbers as they grow. I would say no more than 15 adults, maybe a few more with excellent filtration, in a tank that size. Plan to go up to around 80 gallons if you want more than that.

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

I agree the filtration will definitley needing improving as 12 fish that get to about 4-6 inches in a 3ft long tank will look crowded as they get bigger.

Gibson SG you know you want one!!

Hi again

Thanks so far. The issue with the filtration is one I was concerned about which is why I am asking the question. The colony that I am getting (2m:6f) are already full grown and currently living in a std 3ft. I might look at moving htem to the 4' sooner rather than later and just increasing the number of females until the total number equals 15. I have also read an article that says that the addition of a sponge filter can help feeding wise as they will actually suck food out of the sponge itself. I have a sponge filter which is triangular (a)15cm x (b)15cm and close to 2" thick. I'm not sure what sort of flow rate it has but it would abviously depend on the pump running it. Any opinions on this and would it be sufficient for just the 9 saulosi, njassae and bristlenose.

Thanks again
Trav

Pseudotropheus Saulosi NEVER get to 6". I have a very large F1 male at slightly over 4". Most males are lucky to reach 4". Females closer to 3". I currently have a 55g w/ 4 males, 3 females, 1 juvie, 7 Lab. Perlmutts and 2 Synodontis and my Saulosi breed. Just make sure you have a larger flat rock. That's all a male needs/wants. #1 male will make that his territory. 3 of my 4 males are fully colored. My #3 male is my largest male. 12 would be fine, just make sure you have TONS of filtration. I have an Aquaclear 300 and a Fluval 304 on my tank. I always have at least 1 female of each breed carrying.

Thanks again

I am already looking into more filtration. I didn't end up getting the colony anyway as the quality wasn't what I wanted so I gave it a miss.....probably for the best at the moment anyway. I will set the tank up minus some rock work which I will add when I add the rest of the fish so territories can be established hopefully without any casualties

Trav