Lonley melanochromis johanni

[Boxcar Muzzdogg]

I currently have 1 electric blus johanni cichlid in a 28 gallon bowfront tank. I want him to have some company. I have been searching for a female melanochromis johanni but can not find one anywhere. If anyone can help me on that let me know. Chicagoland area, if that help. I have had this cichlid for about 5 months. I recently discoverd the vast amount of information on the internet. I just read the topic post "mbuna aquarium." One statment in the post was that mbunas need a long tank, not a tall.

The 28 gallon bowfront is of course tall, not long, and the electric blue spends most of his time in the rockwork at the bottom. When I am in the room he comes out and swims about midlevel. Should I switch him to my 20 gallon long? Should I keep him where he is? Help me out. Also, if I am unable to ever find a female johanni, then I want to put some other fish in with the electric blue. What would be a good choice for this?

 

[freddyk]

Put him in whatever tank offers the most surface area - both these tanks are too small for these types of fish though, as they're quite aggressive. When you do find some females make sure you get at least 3 of them, one will take too much abuse and probably end up killed - they are polygamous, not monogamous.

There are many other mbuna you can keep with them, but I would do nothing but a species tank in a tank that small. Get half a dozen females or so and you'll see him come to life.

 

[Boxcar Muzzdogg]

Thanks for the advice freddy. Now if only I could find some females.