Mbuna Cichlid In 10g Tank?

[pattyplaty]

Hi!
I am a long time tropical community hobbyst and would like to try some cichlids. I kept all kinds of tropical fish (not cichlids), including rare and fragile ones. Sadly, all my bigger tanks are taken by my community fish, and my only available tank is 10 gallons (US). I was wondering if there were any types of cichlid that can live in an 10g tank? If possible, I would love to have mbuna africa cichlids, but would I keep them happy? I am totally happy just having one fish. I am experienced so I will be able to keep the right water condition and at its best. However, I have never kept cichlids, so it would be helpful if you can give any information on the cichlid that you suggest.

thank you very much!
patty :]

 

[Feral123]

well for a ten gallon tank shelldwellers would be the only feesible option if you are having more then one.

 

[Xebadir]

As suggested above, most prudent and definitely happy in a tank this size would be shelldwellers.

Here is a nice little archive of information to read on the type: http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/shel...ller_corner.php
Each species has it own subtle differences and they are listed on that page. If you decide to go with shellies, let us know what you choose and we'll see if we can help you out. Goodluck and I hope you find Cichlids to your taste

 

[Robris]

I have 4 mbuna's in a 7 gallon tank for almost 5 weeks now, they are not aggresive to each other because they are sick from cycling my tank.

 

[Ferris]

I have 4 mbuna's in a 7 gallon tank for almost 5 weeks now, they are not aggresive to each other because they are sick from cycling my tank.

That is a very temporary situation though and is merely a hospital tank. Under normal circumstances no Mbuna should be kept in such small tanks.

 

[Robris]

I have 4 mbuna's in a 7 gallon tank for almost 5 weeks now, they are not aggresive to each other because they are sick from cycling my tank.

That is a very temporary situation though and is merely a hospital tank. Under normal circumstances no Mbuna should be kept in such small tanks.

I think Im going to throw them in my 55gal tank to cycle it, since I am extremly struggling to find ammonia in aus.

 

[MoonstruckMuse]

Couldn't you just move the media you just cycled from the 7 to the 55g? That seems like unnecessary cruelty to me, I hope you realize those poor cichlids are going to live a shortened and pretty lousy life...? No offense, perhaps its the way you said it, but that just really disturbs me. Just about everything rotting creates ammonia, throw some old meatier foods in there (but boil them in water or something first to get out excess oils and sauces), and that should do the trick for you without stressing your fish out more.

Shelldwellers are adorable. They'd be fun, I think. Or if you're thinking cichlids in general, perhaps you could keep something like a Krib or Ram, though those would probably have to be singly kept, and I'm not sure how happy they are like that. I'd think nearly all Mbuna would have to be single in a 10g, and I'm not sure how happy they would be. So yeah, my vote goes to Shellies. ^^

 

[Suicidal_AZN]

my cusin housed like 10 african cichlid in a 10 gallon for like 6 months with no upgrades and had no problems!!!!!
sadly they died on the way to my house becuz he was moving and they died on the way here!!

 

[pattyplaty]

I have 4 mbuna's in a 7 gallon tank for almost 5 weeks now, they are not aggresive to each other because they are sick from cycling my tank.

That is a very temporary situation though and is merely a hospital tank. Under normal circumstances no Mbuna should be kept in such small tanks.

I think Im going to throw them in my 55gal tank to cycle it, since I am extremly struggling to find ammonia in aus.

Thanks verrry much for the reply!! i did research on shellies and they seemed pretty chill, but none of my local stores had them. i went and bought a pair of kribs, and they are wonderful! since mbunas grow to 5 in, i thought id be better off with kribs.. yayyy :]

 

[Elrohirthehasty]

my cusin housed like 10 african cichlid in a 10 gallon for like 6 months with no upgrades and had no problems!!!!!
sadly they died on the way to my house becuz he was moving and they died on the way here!!

that sukcs


..yeah
i suppose that would work
i mean
in the stores you see tons of chiclids in 20g tanks temporarily (couple months) and they look fine and survive fine when you buy them..

 

[dthoffsett]

my cusin housed like 10 african cichlid in a 10 gallon for like 6 months with no upgrades and had no problems!!!!!
sadly they died on the way to my house becuz he was moving and they died on the way here!!

that sukcs


..yeah
i suppose that would work
i mean
in the stores you see tons of chiclids in 20g tanks temporarily (couple months) and they look fine and survive fine when you buy them..

Just thought I'd point out that this thread is a year old.

And, mbuna should be in a minimum 4-ft tank, LFS tanks are only holding tanks and fish are rarely in there for long. Not only that, but mbuna juveniles (most are sold as juvies) will usually get along great, but will happily kill each other as adults.