Advice On Stocking

[Matt Gleadow]

Hi.

At the moment I have 6 Red Zebra (Metriaclima Estherae). 1 yellow, 1 blue, 1 pink and 3 orange all varying from 2" to 3.5". Plus a Labidochromis sp. "Hongi" thats pretty much fully grown say 5"-6".

The tank is approx. 150 litres.

Would it be wise to add anymore fish to this or am I at full capacity (bearing in mind their size when fully grown)? People say you can overstock but I dont want to do it to a stupid extent now and then end up with an overcrowded tank once they have all grown. My filter is good for about 300 litres so filtration isn't a problem.

I have found someone breeding these not too far away from me:

Metriaclima greshakei
Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" (Msuli)
Labeotropheus fuelleborni (OB)

Any thoughts on whether its wise to add more and which ones of the above would be good (if any)?

 

[Ferris]

Hi Matt,

What are the dimensions of your tank?

 

[Matt Gleadow]

Its a funny shape (corner tank... undesirable). Its like a box approx. 2 foot by 2 foot in plan that has then had one of the corners chamfered off so its not quite a full box. So its a bit over 3 foot across the length of the front face then 2 foot deep. Dont know if I have explained that very well.

 

[Ferris]

OK thanks Matt - The shape's not great unfortunately as most Mbuna tend to make their territories in the lower regions of the tank, which is why a 4 footer is much better - length is more useful than height.

I personally wouldn't add any more fish as mixing in more species creates further potential for aggression problems. In addition, that tank will look reasonably full when they all reach adult size.

Specific issues would be:

The Greshakei will probably not get on with the Hongi as they are similar in appearance and temperament.

Depending on the species Acei can get very large by Mbuna standards.

Fuelleborni are great fish but can be very aggressive and their base colouration is similar to your Estherae.

 

[rixy]

sorry to but in guys,but,my old greshakei was the boss of the tank.i would agree with ferris.you need to add mbuna in one lot or 2 lots.when a tank is set up and you add a new fish,it usually ends in disaster with the new fish taking a beating and maybe even being killed.mbuna are tricky at the best of times.

 

[Druchii]

Its a funny shape (corner tank... undesirable). Its like a box approx. 2 foot by 2 foot in plan that has then had one of the corners chamfered off so its not quite a full box. So its a bit over 3 foot across the length of the front face then 2 foot deep. Dont know if I have explained that very well.

i have to agree with Ferris comments.. my greshaki and Hongi are both established in the tank yet always go for each other, the only saving grace is hte 4 foot distance that can be put between then, something that is not possible with the smaller tank.

i would personally think whether or not your are happy with the fish you have, or maybe go the whole hog and sell and move on your existing fish and create a new tank which would be better placed in the tank of your dimensions..

perhpas a species tank?

 

[Matt Gleadow]

Ok cool. I am happy with leaving the tank as it is. Always nice to get another opinion though.

I'm aiming to have a bigger tank for them. Would like something like a Rio 400 next (not sure if they are 4 or 5 foot long). Been keeping my eye on Aquarist Classifieds for a 2nd hand one, cant justify it this close to Xmas though so will have to wait till next year

I did have problems with a dominant male Hongi attacking everything else in the tank but I took him back to the LFS and they have all settled in nicely now that he isn't terrorising them.

 

[Druchii]

Rio400 is 5 foot long

Rio 300 is 4 foot long