Callgirls

[bak2nature]

Hello,

I have had an all male Mbuna tank for quite some time now and would love to introduce a couple of females .

Does anybody know where I am likely to be able to buy any guaranteed female Mbuna's in the Manchester/Cheshire/Derbyshire area? Alternatively does anyone have any females that they would like to donate or sell?

Also is there a good ratio to keep to, i.e. 3 males to 1 female?


Yours Hopefully,

Bak2.

 

[vantgE]

one male to three females or more

 

[freddyk]

1:3 is a good generalization. Some milder ones like Lab Caeruleus can be kept as low as 1:1, while some of the meanest like Demasoni should be kept 1:5 or more.

 

[Mr Miagi]

Here is a great link too shops in Englnad from the PFK website. Ive got it too the right page for you. Goodluck.

http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...tory_search.php

 

[Ferris]

Oasis in Salford, Manchester. I've reccommended this place to a few people on here and they've loved it. Loads of Mbuna tanks and the staff really know their stuff. Females will be no problem there!

Website with directions etc: (not a great website unfortunately)

http/www.oasisaquarium.co.uk/

 

[keane]

Oasis in Salford, Manchester. I've reccommended this place to a few people on here and they've loved it. Loads of Mbuna tanks and the staff really know their stuff. Females will be no problem there!

Website with directions etc: (not a great website unfortunately)

http/www.oasisaquarium.co.uk/

Ya beat me too it Ferris!!

But you didn't tell bak2nature to make sure he asked for the "chubby looking balding guy"!!!!!!

bak2nature....Oasis is a cracking LFS . Ferris pointed me in their direction. Give it a try and you won't be disappointed.

Where are you from yourself?

steve

 

[Ferris]

But you didn't tell bak2nature to make sure he asked for the "chubby looking balding guy"!!!!!!

See what i mean!

 

[bak2nature]

Thanks to everyone for such a great response .

I'm from just outside Stockport so I will definately check out Oasis as Salford isn't a problem to get to, except I can't go this weekend which is just typical!

I have an 85 gallon tank measuring 36(l)x18(w)x30(h), what in peoples opinion is a resonable number of fish that would comfortably fit in? I know a high tank isn't the most ideal for mbuna but due to space constraints I had to go for height rather than length.

Regards,
Bak2.

 

[Ferris]

That is a seriously tall tank, it isn't ideal for Mbuna as the top half (at least) will not be used by them in all probablility, its basically a 3 foot tank .

The best thing is to treat it as an approx 30gal tank which means you need to go for less aggressive species like yellow labs or Pseudotropheus Acei. As an example you could go for 4 or 5 of each of these 2 species (in total, with the male/female ratios already suggested by freddyk). Another option would be Iodotropheus Sperengerae. These 3 species are all relatively peaceful by Mbuna standards and should get along OK.

Hope this helps, do some research aswell, there are other options to the ones i have suggested, thats just to start you off. I would definately avoid the really aggressive species like Lombardoi and Zebras though.

 

[freddyk]

36x18 would actually be more like a 50 gallon tank, a 30 would be 36x12, which opens up the options a bit.

If you go with those milder mannered mbuna Ferris mentioned you also have the option of keeping Aulonocara (pecocks). Should you decide to try more aggressive species it's best to leave the rusty's, acei, and peacocks out of the equation, and you'll need to stock more densly.

About 15 of these types of cichlids would fit nicely in this tank, but it also depends on what species you choose. More realistically you're looking at about 10-20 cichlids, depending. You can also keep a group of bottom feeders with them, many types of Synodontis catfish can make excellent companions.

It's really best to first decide what you want, and then figure out numbers. It's also good to start with more then planned in the long run, so that you know you'll get enough females per male.

 

[Ferris]

36x18 would actually be more like a 50 gallon tank, a 30 would be 36x12, which opens up the options a bit

quite right, I'm thinking in UK gallons and everyone else uses US. . The peacocks is a good tip aswell, some really stunning fish to choose from there. As freddyk says only an option if you go for the labs etc. They are a no go with the more aggressive species.