Mbuna 55 gallon tank

[Mobern]

I have a 55 gallon tank that I want to stock with Mbuna cichlids.

I definitely want some color variety with some yellow, blue, orange, and darker cichlids.

Some possible specimens might be Protomelas insignis, Metriaclima estherae, Labidochromis caeruleus and Iodotropheus sprengerae.

I don't want to breed cichlids so I might want to get all males or all females and I want the cichlids to be as non-aggressive as they come.

How many could I keep in a 55 gallon???

 

[Ferris]

Have a look at my sig and any of the other members sig in this forum for ideas/numbers of fish. The Bald Ranger (steve) has just set up a 55gal Mbuna tank so thats a good example, see this thread:

Thread

I went for 1 of each species to avoid the breeding aspect and this has worked well.

The Yellow labs and sprengerae are less agressive by Mbuna standards whereas the Estherae are much more agressive - doesn't neccessarily mean a problem, just something to think about

 

[freddyk]

Protomelas insignis is a Hap, but otherwise you're on the right track with what you've listed. Have you checked to see what's available to you locally?

 

[Mobern]

How's this sound??

2 x Labidochromis caeruleus (1m/1f)
2 x Maylandia estherae (1m/1f)
3 x Pseudotropheus saulosi (1m/2f)
3 x Pseudotropheus acei (1m/2f)
Maybe a bristlenose pleco and a pair of Synodontis multipunctatus??

 

[freddyk]

Here are my thoughts.

You'll certainly want more females for the estherae because of agression. At least one more anyway.

You'll want another female Lab, or this one will end up breeding over and over with never a break.

The Acei are fine like that, but they're practically schoaling fish, and truly shine in larger groups.

Bristlenose plecos eat algae, which is why I don't recomend them in mbuna tanks. Algae grazing is the most natural thing these fish do, after breeding.

You can keep 3 of each species and 5 acei if you wanted to, as well as the Multis. Overstocking is the best way to keep these fish, but you also need to keep in mind that filtration must be on par with the stocking levels. If you didn't want so many fish I'd seriously consider removing one species and adding more of the rest.

I do think you've chosen 4 mbuna that are all different and a very nice mix. The Estherae will probably prove the most aggressive, but they are not overwhelming.

 

[Mobern]

I have an Emperor 400 for my 55 gallon (I think its actually a 60 gallon after measuring it... its 48"x16"x18") which filters at 400gph. Is this filtering good enough, too much, too little???

So you're recommending the following if I'm not mistaken?
3 x Labidochromis caeruleus (1m/2f)
3 x Maylandia estherae (1m/2f)
3 x Pseudotropheus saulosi (1m/2f)
5 x Pseudotropheus acei (2m/3f OR 1m/4f)
2 x Synodontis multipunctatus (1m/1f)

I suppose I'll get a fair amount of fry from this tank... should I just raise the fry in a separate 30g until I find them a permanent place to go??

What kind of rocks would go well in with these cichlids and are there any plants at all that I could add very sparsely just to add a nice touch to the tank?

Thank you for your help,
Mobern


Almost forgot... I'm planning to have a 0 Ammonia 0 Nitrite reading in my tank (what else??) after a fishless cylce of course... as far as Ph or any other chemical readings I should worry about, what is recommended for these kind of fish?

thanks again

 

[freddyk]

Have you read the pinned mbuna post? I think it should answer many of your questions.

In short - any aquarium safe rocks work, there are many to choose from. You can save lots of cash by going to a landscaper or rock cutter (fish stores mark up rocks insanely). Ph is not terribly important, but 7.5 to 8.5 is desirable. A high kh is more important for ph stability. Plants can have a tough time, as they get mauled and dug up by mbuna. You can try some heavier leafed plants, but don't expect much success. If anything heavier planting would likely work better, providing more plants to distribute the abuse among.

Don't worry about the gender of the multis, you won't be able to sex them. For that matter, you'll need to start off with more fish then discussed to reach the ratio's you want, you won't be able to sex them as juveniles, except maybe the saulosi if the males are starting to turn already.

 

[BigFishSmallPond]

Heres some pics of the aquascaping in my 40 gallon mbuna tank:

aquascaping

And here are the mbuna i have in it:

Cichlid community


african cichlids are the best fish cant go wrong (unless u get a rugged pseudo that likes to go at it with the others, but i solved that by upping the numbers with like-sized fish )

-ak

 

[Ferris]

african cichlids are the best fish cant go wrong (unless u get a rugged pseudo that likes to go at it with the others, but i solved that by upping the numbers with like-sized fish )

Couldn't agree more, agressive - yes, problematic - yes, wouldn't swap them for anything though (including marine)

 

[freddyk]

I have an Emperor 400 for my 55 gallon (I think its actually a 60 gallon after measuring it... its 48"x16"x18") which filters at 400gph. Is this filtering good enough, too much, too little

It is certainly enough, absolutely not too much, and adding another would keep things sparkly clean.

 

[Mobern]

Are you sure 14 Mbuna cichlids plus 2 catfish isn't overcrowding my 60 gallon tank?

Also, I'm thinking of swapping the estherae out for either a more red/pinkish mbuna or brown/blackish mbuna. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Mobern

 

[gixer]

Are you sure 14 Mbuna cichlids plus 2 catfish isn't overcrowding my 60 gallon tank?

Also, I'm thinking of swapping the estherae out for either a more red/pinkish mbuna or brown/blackish mbuna. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Mobern

not at all... i have 20. + fry

 

[freddyk]

Estherae is about as close to red as you're gonna get, it just doesn't exist among mbuna. Check out Iodotropheus Sprengerae, it's a rusty brown, very unique color among mbuna.

 

[Mobern]

Wow, I love the Iodotropheus Sprengerae. Could I get 3 of them instead of the 3 estherae maybe?

Thanks everyone... its really helping me getting all these great suggestions

Mobern

 

[Ferris]

The Sperengerae should be no problem, they are generally far less agressive than Estherae and get on well with labs.