Help On Stocking Tank

[postmanpaul]

Hi all

I am about to start on an Mbuna community as i have rehoused all my other tropical fish what i need to know is what are the best fish to have and and how many.My tank is as follows:

Length 48"
Height 20"
Depth 12"

There will be two external cannister filters,extra airation,and obviosly a heating element to suit.The water hardness here is around 8.5,i will be using sand substrate plenty of rocks and a few java fern plants.

One thing is i still have in my possesion: 2 Sail Fin Plecs (quite big)
1 Royal Panaque
1 Bristle nose plec
the above are the only fish i kept from my previous set up what im hoping is can i put them in with Mbunas' firstly as they kept the glass spotless secondly ive had them since babies and woluld like to keep them(if not compatable obviously i will rehome them).

Any help would be appreciated Thanks!

 

[Ferris]

Compatibility is not neccessarily an issue with Mbuna and your Plecs - the problem is the 2 sailfins will outgrow the tank, reaching something around 18", they won't be able to turn around in there. It will also be a little cramped for the Royal although to a lesser extent.

The BN is a perfect Plec for Mbuna.

 

[postmanpaul]

Compatibility is not neccessarily an issue with Mbuna and your Plecs - the problem is the 2 sailfins will outgrow the tank, reaching something around 18", they won't be able to turn around in there. It will also be a little cramped for the Royal although to a lesser extent.

The BN is a perfect Plec for Mbuna.

Thanks Ferris for your help the sail fins were the first i bought and i wasnt advised on growth but i will try and keep them as long as i can as for the royal he wont grow to big as i was advised different water conditions can stunt thier growth or slow them down but i am glad to hear they will get on with mbunas'

 

[Ferris]

but i am glad to hear they will get on with mbunas'

They might get on with Mbuna, expect plenty of fin-nipping but they should be big enough to cope (depending on the current size).

Water conditions won't stunt the growth so more bad advice i'm afraid - expect the Royal to get to 12-14"