How Many AFRICAN CICHLIDS Should You Keep?

[@markhunter2244]

Tank and fish look amazing, I could watch it all day. All the best for 2021.

[@leedan00able]

I’m blessed to have seen your fish room in person and what great advice you’ve given me. Love the new setup and fish look great! You’ve kept this hobby alive for me.

[@TazawaTanks]

If you liked this video, here is another that may interest you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep-cfYWXetSsodE Follow me on Instagram for more content: instagram.com/Tazawa_Tanks Thank you to my channel sponsors and supporters, Aquarium Co-op, Xtreme Aquatic Foods and Fritz Aquatics. Also, a huge thank you to my Patreon supporters! Shop for Fritz and Xtreme here: www.aquariumcoop.com

[@Tibzification]

1 cm fish = 1 liter of water

[@TazawaTanks]

No, that is not a good rule. It doesn’t account for the shape of the tank or the body mass of the fish. You cannot put a 25cm fish in only 25 liters of water.

[@josephmelling3325]

@@Tibzification I go of the rule of 8 to 10 small fish (like neon tetra and most danios) for every 20 litres of water, the more waste the fish produce the water need to account for the filtration to work properly

[@TazawaTanks]

I think that 10 smaller fish in 20 liters is too small. That would mean having 10 danios in a 5 gallon aquarium. That’s pretty tight. Now, if you have a larger aquarium, this makes more sense. For example, if you had a 200 liter tank, you could probably have 100 neon tetras if you had good filtration and plants in the aquarium.

[@mzmamamiavirgo]

Your african cichlid videos inspired me when I first started keeping fish. Multiple tanks later, fully addicted to african cichlids!!!

[@joshmarcell2337]

Very additive!!

[@brandonsaquariumsandterrar8985]

I agree with you, it looks better with less fish and the rocks

[@sschario60]

I'm new, started keeping mbuna in my 75 gallon, fifteen months ago. My current stock of 23 is what I feel the tank can comfortably accommodate. If they grow to 5-6" I will have decisions to make. For now, they seem quite happy swimming among the limestone rocks, medium-sized manzanita, and a few artificial plants. Your thoughts in this video are refreshing to hear. Happy New Year.

[@FishingReviewJunkie]

I have the same problem but in my 100 gallon

[@FishingReviewJunkie]

What happened

[@litoloco4fish]

Some of those bulls have humps. Very beautiful Zenzo...we all grow brother but your doing something right because your fish are so healthy and happy 👌🏽❤

[@seansquill8773]

Lol I leaned this the hard way. My 75 has 22 African Cichlids in it, mostly Peacocks and a few haps. Got them mostly all at about 2 inches or so. I must be honest, it was fine for about 6 months up until about 2 months ago when the aggression began as they got older and bigger. I have always done 2 water changes per week, around 70% for both changes and have never had water quality issues. I did have an ick breakout but that was due to an incoming fish that got stressed and now I always quarantine before a fish ever goes into my main tank. They are all now in the 5-6 inch mark and I must say the last 2 months have not been fun, a few of the smaller fish began getting bullied by the larger fish and I would have to take out an injured fish and let them recover for about 2 weeks in a hospital tank. And when you have fish as I do, OB’s, Taiwan Reef, Venustus, Livingstoni, Blood Dragon, Buco Hap, it’s really hard to say just take the bully out. Take one out and another steps up to take over. Yesterday my Taiwan reef and Buco basically teamed up, chased, bullied, and beat up one of my nicest fish. In the time I’ve had them I’d never seen that type of behavior to that level. I took him out and he died later that night . That was the last straw for me. I’m bringing them all to a friend with a fish store so he can re home them and I’m turning my 75 into a South American tank and going a more peaceful route. I’ll probably come back to the Africans when I find time to set up a 125 because I do honesty feel fish of that size with that aggressive nature need as much space as possible...just my take on things. Thanks for all the helpful Tips Zenzo...always a gentleman when answering questions about fish Keeping 🙌🏼🙏🏻 As Arnold Said, I’ll be back!

[@inquisitivealbertan1712]

Great looking tank with the rocks and reduced population, Zenzo. Kudos to you for updating your subscribers on your new approach to tank stocking. Subscribed. thank you for sharing.

[@patriziabeaucage258]

Agreed! Over stocked is cool but so much work for the regular aquarist

[@PULAG]

God overstocked the beauty in yo face! Lol GO AQUARISTS!

[@ismailisaacs1394]

Tank looks good bro 🤩👍🏼 Good to admit when you’re wrong. Takes a real man💪🏼

[@prometheus4024]

Most honest and humble guy on here, I love my tank, but I hate it as well. Now with a lower stock, I feel like it’s better, than the other day I lost a beauty to aggression that finally coloured up after a year, it was his death sentence this is why I hate it, losing a 70$ fish hurts. I’m at lucky 13 now with a school of syno cats.Less water changes and waste has definitely helped with more time. Focusing on shrimp and plants now has been a lot better and less stressful. Neocaridina and crypts don’t kill each other lol.

[@RogueAquariums]

I think you’re right on the money Zenzo. I used to keep Central & South American cichlids in the past and had to deal with issues when I couldn’t always do water changes on a regular basis. I think if you can keep on a schedule then packing more fish into a tank is definitely possible. Aggression and nitrates are things that can also come into play as well if our tanks are too packed.

[@THESESTORIESARETRUE]

This is actually a good video. I revised my opinion on this years ago. There’s are so many that are out there remixing our old videos and uploading to their channels like Puffy remixxxxxxx... that’s what makes videos like this one so important 👊🏾

[@TazawaTanks]

Puffy remix! 🤣🤣🤣 “All up in your videos”! 😆😆😆

[@THESESTORIESARETRUE]

@@TazawaTanks dancing 🕺🏿

[@MightyMoran]

Thank you for posting this, because I couldn't understand why everyone on the cichlid forum was so critical of stocking numbers. I now see that it is about maintenance. I am grateful that I listened to your old advice on Mbunas, because they were so aggressive settling in together as juveniles. I started with 20 males in a 55 gallon tank. They have thinned down to 13 and have found their own balance which will be better for me to keep up on. Now I know not to add more unless I get a bigger tank! Ironically, the ones that look alike have found peace together, something that I thought would be a serious problem.

[@Bloodhoundfostermom]

the tank looks amazing !! Happy fish! Happy New Year !!

[@aquienpuedainteresar4188]

Thanks for update on stocking, I'm really thinking on setting a 75 peacock thank.

[@mr_walker_chris]

Agreed my man... just enough stock to curve aggression but not make them aggressive either by never having a break. 💯

[@peasantambition]

Dude is JACKED. Love it man

[@achevsyed6858]

Amazing Great looking fish Great advice Blessings From California

[@wilsonallen7831]

The discipline shows in your tanks! Black belt quality. Looks great. Keep GOING! Yo you put on weight! Happy New year sir.

[@adrianr2309]

Happy new year and all the best..Another great video

[@rigidstonerottweiler]

Tank looks great. I think your new idea is good especially when the fish get bigger. When you purchase smaller guys they will grow up like yours and sometimes we forget that. Great work

[@cichlid_kings]

Tank looks great man. Not as busy as before. Appreciate you sharing the knowledge and experience with this hobby. Looking to update a current community 75G or new 125G for all male peacocks. Want to make the least amount of mistakes as possible. Thanks for the content.

[@adammason4454]

I love that saulosi tank ive got my own 75 gallon one now as well. Ive just put some rustys in with them as well though. Hardly any aggression from any of them at the moment.

[@RaulsAquaticsandReptiles]

Tank looks good. Thanks for sharing 💪🏼

[@lewisspeed3041]

Great info,I believe and apply the same thing

[@darrylmoore5847]

Great video. I love the looks of the tank with the edited stock load.

[@travis4863]

Kudo, when I heard the amount of water changes you were doing I was blown away. You are a beast to be able to keep up with all your tanks and keep them in such beautiful shape. As an aside I have a couple of ruby cichlid (geophagus steindachneri) they recently did some brooding. I have not seen the live babies in a few days. Will parents eat young? I also have a couple blue dwarf gourami and some danio in tank. Thanks for all your hard work

[@themanfromcabowabo1559]

Not necessarily a set number but a balance. Good advice. The decor can make or break a stunning tank regardless of how many fish are in it.

[@ന്യൂയോർക്]

Wow this is a dream Tank !

[@matthewbivens5395]

Awesome honesty!

[@chiragbaruah7610]

you did the right thing man, its just not practical to be changing huge amounts of water after 2-3 days for someone who's busy

[@amandasteed4328]

Do you have a video like this for south/Central American cichlids? Your channel is a huge inspiration. I’m doing as much research and planning as possible for a 90 gallon. I have my heart set of Sevrums, geophagus and electric blue acaras. Thank you for all you do!!

[@BruceCaspar]

Hi, I am just upgrading to a 108 gallon tank and was wondering what your thoughts are on how many male peacocks I can put in there on the non crowded side. I have two 110 gallon filters. Thanks

[@tinacox4999akadirtysouth]

I love your videos ,your fish are gourgeous.

[@zafishguy5166]

My thoughts have always been as many as water changes can keep up with as long as there is enough to limit aggression and not too many that smaller species are overly stressed. If you start a bit slow and learn then you can kind of eye ball it.

[@mankind1234i]

We can understand brother Man can always learn from his mistakes Great work keep it up

[@jeromehorn7333]

I can remember having a 125 gallon with 15 peacocks/haps and had no problem with aggression. People would always be surprised and tell me it was understocked. I think it also has to do with the fish you choose. I've also had a 25-30 mbuna in a 125 with minimal aggression problems. I agree that you need to disperse aggression, but I think some folks overdo it with the number of African cichlids they put in a tank. Also, I had the mixed African cichlid tank that is in many big box pet stores with more aggressive cichlids like auratus, bumblebee and kenyi and fish that outgrow the new hobbyist's 55 gallon tank like venustus.

[@camhd1200]

I think that the tank looks better with the fewer number fish. Most people will not do more then one water change per week, including myself.

[@freddievara8117]

Once every 6 months I don’t over crowd. Tons of plastic plants pvc elbows tiny bit white sand 303 sun sun up on timer separate and 1 power head my smallest tank 30 bow front. Max 11 fish they chase each other but look very good fish do well. A power outage in my tanks all survive. Over stock usually crash. Thousands lost just me and my 2 cents

[@kyleowens119]

All your tanks are amazing

[@TazawaTanks]

Thank you!

[@johnpicton2274]

Hi I’m getting a 5 foot 450 litre tank and I was wondering if 15 male peacocks would be fine thanks nice looking fish

[@gingersnaps6279]

I like what you did. I prefer a less stocked tank because I think of how I would feel being crowded in a place.

[@NotSure876]

My 75 mbuna tank is very heavily stocked, 27-28 I think, but like you I’ve been in the hobby a long time and have a good maintenance system/schedule.

[@iqbaljumani4717]

I love both tank Neat n clean Beautiful healthy fishes Super

[@repanas6]

Indeed it looks better now. Cheers!

[@CFish-N-Cars]

Any suggestions!!! I have a 220. How many full size African cichlids can add. I currently have 2 fx6s running my tank along with 2 wave makers.

[@umersaleem9388]

Good video bro. I was thinking about changing my mix cichlid tank to just male peacocks now.

[@brianp6180]

Good info! I have kept tropical fish for 30 years but only have had African cichlids since July. I set up a 125g and I currently have 20 male peacocks and haps. I also have 8 synodontis petricola cat fish and 2 - bristle nose plecos. Watching your videos and others talk about over stocking has always been a bit of a sore spot for me. For decades I have tried to not overstock community fish. The theory made sense to curb aggression so my plan to throw about 40 cichlids in the 125. As my fish grow I decided not to do that. They are not full grown so I can only imagine what 40 full grown fish would be like. I am glad you made this video to confirm that to many is not the best way. I may add 5 more to make it 25. I have 2 - FX6 on this tank and 2 power heads. I do 50% once a week. My water quality is excellent and fish are healthy. Thanks for your inspiration to get me to try the African cichlids. I did research for about a year before I took the plunge. Your videos as well as Jay Wilson, KG tropicals, King of DIY and Primetime were my teachers. Thanks again

[@chino7287]

Thanks for this post cos it saved me from typing! Looks like we’re running the same type setup. I currently only have 5 tiger barbs & 3 clown loaches. However, I’m in the process of purchasing 20 male peacocks with the hope of adding more later. I think I’ll stick to just 20.

[@Leccybike]

African chiclids need huge tanks i would love to get them one day love the content and keep it up stay safe

[@brianwirtz4181]

I agree with your new philosophy. It might be hard to dial in that perfect number of fish, but overall it is better for the fish and the fish keeper long term. The fish get more space and the fish keeper gets to enjoy the fish more vs constantly changing water.

[@meshacktabane9277]

Very stunning Tank. Do you perhaps keep a Dwarf Cichlid tank? I think the little guys are awesome too.

[@TazawaTanks]

I have shell dwellers from lake tanganyika

[@קרןחיון-ו1ש]

great video!!! great advice!! can u please tell me the names of the fish in your mbuna tank?

[@timklippel5164]

Hi I’m a new subscriber and less sounds like the best plan to me. I kept fish many years ago but moved on to acreage in Oregon and unreliable power issues prohibited it. Now i’m back in the city.. how can I effectively filter all the unwanted chems the city water has (at home prior to my water changes).A shop in my city sells filtered water for 45 cents per gal. I’d rather pre filter myself and use less conditioner. Thanks and we enjoy your videos.

[@biggrigg1026]

A few other factors to consider....Overstocking when they’re in the 3-5 inch range, maturing and challenging hierarchy positions frequently is helpful. But be mindful of the type of growth your fish is expected to produce. Some will get larger than others so good numbers now may not be so good later if you’re growing out fish. And of course a jerk fish or three will always force your hand.

[@beansproutnow]

What a great video, so nice to see people with such experience say they were wrong. Instant subscribe! As someone with some basic tropical experience with no African cichlid experience (and trying to decide what to do with a 30 gallon tank!), something about deliberately overstocking just feels weird, even though I know it is good for them! Those shell dwellers tho! Edit: outside of shell dwellers, I'm thinking 30 gallons is just too small...stick to what I know, save the cichlids for when I have 100 gallons?

[@MDestron2282]

I've always been in the camp of the more the better as long as you have the filtration. In 23 years of keeping African cichlids I noticed the more you pack in (males, no females) the less aggression there is.... sometimes even zero aggression. Also that being said I think your tanks are still pretty overstocked or maybe heavy stocked is more accurate and they look just great and the numbers are maybe a bit more reasonable. You definitely have more fish per gallon than I currently do. The tank looks great! Good video!

[@jimlynch1372]

Excellent video Zenzo. I am seeing ridiculously overstocked tanks on various KZbin and Facebook pages, absolute traffic jams. It’s not fair to the fish and I think it is a poor quality of life for fish to be jammed in like that. Cheers and Happy New Year to you and your family.

[@nitinborkar7319]

Well explained . Thank u

[@robbieatterbury8016]

I thank you for this advice I have African chidlids and ones a buthole so gladly appreciate how to fix it

[@Hemp1972]

There used to be zones in lake Malawi where you could not see the water due to the ridiculously large numbers of fish. And they did thrive. It depends on the species. Some need the hustle and bustle to get the high level of hormones to reproduce succesfully. Three questions you have to ask yourself: 1 What does this specific kind of fish need in the wild to thrive? 2 What does this specific kind need in captivity to thrive? 3 What does this individual need in captivity to thrive? Goes for all animals (even kids 😂). You do this and you cannot go wrong. My favourites are Aulonocara baenchi benga and Milomo's. I have a Malawi catfish in the tank to keep the offspring under control. 🔆

[@tristandauphin4763]

Planning on putting 18 peacocks and haps in a 75 gal how often do you think I should do water changes? Was planning on 50-60% every week would that be enough?

[@earthsdefect1747]

Hey from Australia. I have a 90 L x 55 D x 55 / 80 cm H Litres:220L also had a sump. How many (COPADICHROMIS AZUREUS) could I keep think roughly 10-13

[@joseCalderon1976]

I have a 75g African chiclid tank. Mbunas. I think 15 fish will be my top number. I do weekly water changes. I have an FX6 for filtration. I clean out the FX6 once a month.

[@ethanwarren5269]

I’m thinking about getting some for a 29 gallon is this too small? I really only wanna keep 5-6 of them

[@KoiBoy6]

Filtration always matters and I am questioning how many to stock with my set up. I have a 100g main display with a 25g sump. Roller mats are pulling waste out so there is little to no break down, 2 large blocks of Marine Pure, and flowing over 700gph. Any recommendations?

[@VictoriaLeeCreates]

This video helped a lot

[@ferlosaquatics4522]

Dude those obs are on fire 🔥

[@eyedulhands]

Tank looks good Right on time. I have been following your vids for a while and decided on a Peacock/Hap in a 75 gallon was going to do about 18 but maybe stick to your recommendation of 12-14. Tank already cycled from my previous planted and I'm trying to get the parameters right with Fritz Cichlid salt and buffer. Right now pH-8.4, GH-1O, KH-14. Am I good to stock? Also what temp do you run.

[@TazawaTanks]

Sounds like you’re ready. I keep my tanks around 78 degrees.

[@robmormile3911]

100% agree. Over stocking is great if you’ve got the time to do 50-80% changes twice a week to keep the nitrates manageable. I have a 150L (40g) 4ft tank with 11 peacocks and the nitrate grows to 20ppm by the end of the week. 50% weekly suits me to a T. Last thing ya wanna do is burn ya self out.

[@lisafoster4468]

I have a 150g tank and am trying to keep African peacocks. I have a couple of young oscars I'd like to experiment with keeping with them, unless you tell me it's a horrible idea. In any case, I don't know how many I should have...I do have some health problems, but I'd like to reduce fighting as much as I can. I do 80% water changes once a week (unless I'm in too much pain that week.) On a side note, the pH will remain what it has been, since I've had peacocks do great in what we have. The oscars seem fine with that too so far. I have several years' experience with aquarium fish, but this whole cichlid aggression thing is a can of worms I'm still learning how to deal with. I did have a 75g planted with peacocks, but I had an accidental tank wipe. Just before that, my second favorite killed my first favorite...I had a female I didn't know about. What do you think? Number of peacocks (all male,) and proceed with caution or forget the oscar idea? I'm going to grow them out some before they go into the big tank. I don't go to work, so I'd be keeping a close eye on it.

[@kellywidmar62]

Thanks for the info Im new to keeping african cichlids and this tells me exactly how many peacocks I can keep in my 75 gallon.

[@bobhadland2554]

Beautiful ive had 20 in a 55 gallon tank for 18 months. I use lots of broken clay pots for hiding places.

[@umuthafaqa2706]

I have convict chiclids that was left to me by a grandparent and there's way too many in there. I'd like to get rid of some but I don't want them to die. Any suggestions?

[@MarkMcLenaghan]

Do filter and reuse your water or just pay the water bill? The tanks look awesome.

[@ryanwhite4548]

Good video, great advice …. I have kept much dirtier creatures than African cichlids like marble Motoro stingrays in a community tank. I have found that overstocking or not depends on your filtration. It’s never ok to over stock anything under a 125 gallon since smaller tanks can’t handle the turbulence of strong filtration. I have had tanks with way worse bioloads than African cichlids could ever produce and still only have done once every 3 week water changes. So you stock based on filtration not tank size!!!! Still a good video!!

[@biglebowski5737]

Hello, what would you suggest: how many mbuna in a 75? an how many in a 125?

[@JohnnyBlaze357]

What method do you use to clean out your sand tanks? I have a siphon hose system but was contemplating on how well that would work in my tank I filled with live sand

[@jeromepedro5486]

Really love your African Cichlids tanks. i'm a new fishkeeper and currently have 29gallon community tank and thinking of upgrading to 75g tank with African cichlids. How many do you think I can stock in that tank to lessen the aggression? Also, what kind of floating plant do you have there? Is that cabomba plant? Thanks.

[@TazawaTanks]

The plants are hornwort. As far as stocking the 75, I suggest watching my advice in this video first: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJylc5KFjtmEhKM

[@RajKumar-gl8bf]

Hi what will be the recommended number of mbuna cichlids for a 5 x 2 x 2.5 feet tank?

[@michaelberardo4614]

Mannn have u been hitting the gym. Ripped 💪🏼.

[@fawazalhenyan509]

I’m planning on buying just 2 for 40 gallon is that ok ?

[@hendrixtarantado2114]

Damn..all the fish i saw here looks amazing. Making me wanna go back to the hobby again. If only i have the time and space to do it again. Great vid👍 thanks for sharing ✌️

[@TazawaTanks]

You should!

[@jasonmillwood2893]

I agree! Great advice

[@fbasantajr]

Zenzo happy new year tu you and the family.

[@patrickgoncalves3878]

I have always loved your African cichlids. It's cool you got into lots of other fish. I thought you would get into Red and Gold Severums and Rotkiel Severums or other South American Cichlids.

[@adkgaladkgal1799]

Much better looking, can see the individual fish better

[@pedramrayan3002]

Hi, I have a 130 gallon tank (5x2x2) and I have 38 peacocks and haps at about 2.5-4" and I got 2 canister filters (500 gph and 700 gph) : will this be ok to keep all these and do my every other week 50% wateer change when they grow to their mature size or I should gradually reduce the numbers? and how many eventually will be just enough? P.s: I also have 5 clown loaches (3") with them.

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

They are gorgeous one of my faves!! Always enjoy learning with you and seeing all of your amazing tanks!! Hope you're having a blessed day! 🌿🐟🌿🙏

[@aloratalyn]

I agree with you, but also is entirely dependent on the type of african cichlid. Some you have to overstock, which begs the question, why? How is all that time and maintenance enjoyable? I have a 40 gallon with just a yellow tail acei, a johanni, and a chinese algae eater. The cae is the aggressive one in the tank lol the other 2 live peacefully together. I previously had a kenyi in there and it killed my yellow lab and almost my acei. I didn't know when I got it how aggressive those types of africans tend to be. I do now and wont get them again. The point is, it takes alot of experience and just learning the fish you keep. Sometimes it's easier to overstock I guess.

[@morenaso8019]

No can’t do. I been keeping African cichlids for about 3-4 years now and I came to follow u cause of it, I keep a 90 gallon with about 22 fishes in it, and thinking about adding 3 more. I just keep up with my water changes.

[@biggrigg1026]

Same tank about the same numbers. Extra filtration and frequent water changes.

[@zb4095]

I Love the advice and tank. I have a 165 gallon tank , so how many do you think i need to have in it.

[@TazawaTanks]

“Need” is subjective. If you want enough to curb aggression, I’d say probably a minimum of 16-18. I would think that somewhere between 25-35 would be ideal in a 165.

[@zb4095]

@@TazawaTanks Thank you

[@CC-wy1yb]

How many peacock would you put in a 65 gallon deep with fx-4 and water maintenance twice a week.

[@TazawaTanks]

This video goes into detail on which fish I would recommend for each common tank size. The 65 is in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6eQi2uajqh2a8k

[@cnotake]

Beautiful tank! Do you keep Apistogramma Dwarf Cichlids?

[@TazawaTanks]

No. I did a couple of years ago though.

[@davis2sh]

I have a newly cycled 75 gallon tank. How many peacocks should I start with? I'm thinking 3 as the BB wouldn't be ready to handle a big bio load.

[@TazawaTanks]

In my experience, four to five at a time. For example, once the tank is cycled, add 4-5. Wait a couple of weeks, and then add another group, etc. You can have them in quarantine in between.

[@aquariumcockpit9949]

Where can i get that 90 Gallon acrylic tank?!? I have the exact spot for that thing.

[@mr.tarkovish2587]

Since I on’y have a 35 Gal I justs settled on two small peacocks that are already at maturity at 6" and I’m hapoy with that! There is not mich aggression at all except sometime swiming at each other but nothing more

[@robertjohnston25]

I have 55 or so in my 125g most 6”+ as well. I do 60%wc 1x a week and occasionally I’ll do another 50% randomly if I have time here and there... key for me is pothos.. without pothos I’d be doing a lot more maintenance. I think you can keep it moderately or crazy over stocked, your filtration and maintenance routine may vary depending on your taste. Don’t feel one is right or wrong though.

[@kulot1n10]

What plant is at the top of the tank?

[@danieljeffries6430]

Great 👍 Video I am just getting into the Hobby and I’ve been a Subscriber to the Channel for about 8 mo and I am starting out the (55) Gallon with 15 Peacocks and Haps and with the info you’ve provided I’m looking forward to Managing the Tank and see how much the fish Coexist, I have (2) other Tanks that I picked up for a few bucks, 75 gal and another (55) , Thanks 🙏 for the Always good Content you Provide especially for Beginners like myself,