How many dwarfs in a 29 gallon?

[Electric Snowman]

How many dwarfs could I fit in a 29 gallon tank? I already have a pair of cacatioudes, and I want to get more, but I don't know how many more I can keep? I also have an empty ten gallon I could use for raising fry. Any thoughts would help.
Thanks

 

[Lisachromis]

It all depends on what species you want to add. Some fish just require more space than others.

 

[farm41]

cacs will use the entire bottom region, anything you add should be upper water column fish.

JMHO

 

[Electric Snowman]

I want to put add as many cacatuoides as possible, I just don't know how many that is. I think it would be neat to have a tank "full" of those beautiful fish.

 

[aspen]

1 male and 3 - 4 females would be great. eventually you'll have offspring of all different sizes if things work out. make sure that your fitration won't suck in fry. a sponge filter works great for this. ensure that you have a spawning site for every female, spread out evenly across the bottom. they'll each claim one and entice the male to 'come on over'.

having 2 males has never worked for me either of the same species or different apisto species in a tank that small.

rick

 

[mooman]

I agree with aspen. My male cac would not even tolerate other types of cichlids (bolivian rams, blue rams). I've heard that cacs are harem builders, so a few more females would be ok. I wouldn't put any more that 3 females in a 29g.

 

[aspen]

i've seen a 15 gal tank with 5 producing females and a male cac, although the females were all offspring of the big male. it was jam packed full of plants and pots and stuff.

rick

 

[William]

Rick brings up a good point concerning the stocking of cacatuoides. If there is dense vegetation, sufficient caves, rocks, woodwork, etc. for the females to hide and defend their mini territories then 3 females and a male in a 29 could work. If it was my tank, I would start out with one male and two females and see how that works before I ventured into more females. Then again, I prefer to under stock and rearrange the decor should I decide more female(s) are needed.

A general rule I have with cacatuoides (and most apistos) is 12 cubic inches per female in a dense tank and expand on this the denser the tank gets. I'll never forget my first tank with wild cacatuoides, a ten gallon moderately planted tank, two flower pot caves (on opposite ends) with one male and two females. Three weeks later I had a pair and a female floater. Your mileage may vary!

Best regards,

William

 

[Griz]

My advice for a 29g would be 1 male and 2 females, 3 if heavily planted.

 

[Electric Snowman]

Thanks for the info, so far I still have just the pair and they are doing fine. My tank is lightly planted so maybe I will pick up one more female and see how things go.