SA Bumblebee Cat Requirements

[nvcichlids]

I have been reading different info on these between websites, this site, and books that these fish stay small. I was thinking of adding them into a tank I just recently set up and have it be a species tank (minus the endlers for live food). THe only problem is the tank is a 10 gal. Would that be big enough for 4-6? or even 2-3? I would love feedback if possible.

Thanks,

NV

[Birger]

I think a 10 would be okay for a small group of them if given many caves and could even have a small school of something swimming above...as long as you are talking Microglanis sp. and not Batrochoglanis
I would personally recommend a 20 to 30 gallon though
They would probably love having the endler's over...for dinner that is

Birger

[nvcichlids]

I figured the Endlers would end up being food, would there be a better livebearer for live food given?

THis is the tank that I am talking about, what would be the max. number of bumblebees for it ( yes i was refering to the Microglanis sp).
THe top is open, trying to find another way to support the lid other than the dew cans. The plant is a plant I found down by the river the other day and there is also javamoss and some floating plants. ( sorry for the bad pics, tank was JUST setup at this point)



Thanks,

[Birger]

I would suggest before talking fish that you stabilize the lid first thing(I know you said you were already looking into this)....nothing against the cans but anything electrical sitting precariously over water is a preventable accident waiting to happen...
Also I do not see any kind of filtration, what will you be using?
Lastly temperate and tropical plants in the same tank may not work out that well so keep an eye on them.

Back to the fish, I think with good filtration 4-6 would be okay, during the day they will seem fairly inactive and will need caves to hang out in and they would probably prefer not to share if given the choice even though they would all crowd into one if that is all they had. At night they will roam more and that is when the Endlers would be in most danger.

In a tank this size filtration and water changes are crucial as it is a small volume of water but this could be a successful tank when balanced out.

Birger

[nvcichlids]

well I have a solution to the lid problem, will just need to get the parts, which shouldn't be hard. For filtration, I was thinking of a whisper 20-40i. It would create a slight waterfall over the driftwood on the right side of the tank. As for the plants, I have never had a problem with them.. only plant I have ever had problems with was hairgrass. I never under filtrate ( as with my 20 gal L that apistomaster pointed out) I added another filter and now it is perfect, turning over roughly 15 times per hour. I will also have a stone airation ( the pump is built for a 40+ gallon tank)

[Birger]

well I have a solution to the lid problem, will just need to get the parts, which shouldn't be hard. For filtration, I was thinking of a whisper 20-40i. It would create a slight waterfall over the driftwood on the right side of the tank. As for the plants, I have never had a problem with them.. only plant I have ever had problems with was hairgrass. I never under filtrate ( as with my 20 gal L that apistomaster pointed out) I added another filter and now it is perfect, turning over roughly 15 times per hour. I will also have a stone airation ( the pump is built for a 40+ gallon tank)

Excellent...I think this would be a better and more enjoyable combination for this tank than the chaca mentioned in your other post.

[nvcichlids]

Is there any other type of livebearer/ any other fish that you would recommend to keep with them that will draw them out more during the day time? I can get ahold of most tetras and livebearer species, just wouldn't know a good mix?

[Birger]

It is the nature of this fish to mostly disappear during the day and that was my experience when I had them, I do not think other fish will bring them out(unless someone else has had luck with this) but situating the hiding spots so they can be seen within would at least make them so you can observe them when you like.

[nvcichlids]

what would you recommend for caves? When I kept them in the past they just hid amonst the driftwood.