dithers for mbuna

[wrs]

what would be a good dither for mbuna

I have:
1 male Ice blue
2 female Ice blue
2 that I think are ice blue
1 Melanochromis species
1 Syno. eur.... Cant spell it
1 albino zebra, a Red albino I think


they always hide, and NEVER come out of their caves,

 

[juanveldez]

guessing that this is one of the 55s? how long have they been in there would be another question, but depending on the size of the tank I might suggest getting some more mbuna, imo it isn't like they are big agressive CAs and if ya put dithers in there right now while they are doing the hiding thing, there is the risk of the dithers eating all of the food before they get the chance to eat.

 

[wrs]

Ive had the fish for two weeks, they were out for a while, but now I never see them. Maybe it is because I redid the tank to make more caves for them?

and I will be getting more mbuna, can you recomend any species that would work well?

and yes it is a 55 gallon.

 

[juanveldez]

yes that would be the reason for the fish hiding redoing the tank also resets territories that they set up prior to, just give them some time to set in the new territories, but on another note I would recomend if ya are going to add new fish now would be the time due to the fact that there are no real territories.

 

[freddyk]

How about adding a few zebra females to start. Name some mbuna that you like, there are too many to list suggestions that would work. A heavier stocked tank is always more active, and they make their own best dithers.

 

[wrs]

all but one of the zebras is a female, so I have 5 females already. Would more be needed?

I do like the demansi, I think it is, but havent seen any anywhere except walmart. And I am not really sure what the stores ell, so Ill check in latter after I go tuesday with the stuff the sell./

 

[vantgE]

It is odd they don't come out of there caves if you never see them then your definately feeding to much when they are a little older healthy mbuna should come to the front top of the tank if your there, fast them for a day and don't put more food in then they go to the top to get

Demasoni are very agresive I would avoid them, they are also pasdotrophheus like "ice blues" most likely are so you could risk hybrids a labidochromis species would be a good addition to the tank

 

[Ferris]

Demasoni are very agresive I would avoid them, they are also pasdotrophheus like "ice blues" most likely are so you could risk hybrids a labidochromis species would be a good addition to the tank

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, never write off Demasoni, they are wondeful fish.

Seriously though, yes they are very agressive but are manageable if kept singularly. I have 1 in my Mbuna community tank and he's fine, even with the Cynotilapia afra's who have a very similar appearance. I also have a male ice blue/cobalt zebra and they ignore each other. It can be done but its a valid warning.

I am a little biased by the way as they are my favourites!

 

[wrs]

actually they have been out latley. I think it was just the tank arrangement that they didnt like, but when we redid it they swam out and around, shoaling around the male ice blue zebra.

what kind of fish would not work with the fish I have. I think that will be better to know when I do get the fish, so i know which ones to avoid.

I would love a demansi, but I dont know if I want an overly aggressive fish, as it is now, the male I have loved picking on the girls.

 

[Iron Man]

Get you a nice school of tiger barbs. Those were my 55 gallon mbuna dither fish....all 13 of the little rascals. They're beautiful too....and will stick together continuously around the mbunas, sometimes schooling from one end of the tank to the other. They stayed in "tiger barb world" the whole time.

Do not get a demasoni....too much of a risk....unless you were to plan packing them together with their own kind to reduce aggression.

 

[keane]

what kind of fish would not work with the fish I have. I think that will be better to know when I do get the fish, so i know which ones to avoid.

Labidochromis Caeruleus would do well .

Not the most unusual of Mbuna I know, but they are less aggressive than most and the yellow would really brighten up your tank and compliment the current blues and reds.

Just my opinion though .

steve

 

[wrs]

I have no red fish. Just blue, and the gals, which is all of them are either a purply or urin purpilsih color mix.

The labs would be nice, but they are expensive litte rascals! 12 for inch long ones, and my mbuna are already 2-3 inches.

Though I am not even sure if the size would matter.

I did want the tiger barbs, but was unsure if the would not like the Ph, though I keep mine at 7.8, so it should be fine.

also, if I was to get a few at a time, would that be a bad thing for them as they may be killed?

 

[vantgE]

Ph shouldn't be a problem lfs usually keep them all in the same tap watter just like you would, it may be worth it to check but barbs would survive, however I think haveing more mbuna is better then adding a dither

 

[gixer]

I think haveing more mbuna is better then adding a dither

totally agree.

i'm a big fan of keeping what would naturally be together. tiger babs are not.

 

[wrs]

I have wanted the barbs, but i do agree, they would look odd in the tank. So I dont think I will be getting any of them.