Mbuna In A 29 Gal

[fish_keeper2]

i keep finding different opinions on min tank size for mbuna. i was wonder if a standered 29 gal that is 30 inches long good enough. the mbuna i wanna keep are yellow labs, p. socolofi, one commonly sold as colbalt blue which i still have to get an accuret id on and others. i think im going to keep mostly yellow labs.

 

[dthoffsett]

With a 29gal you need to keep it a species tank. It's way too small to have more than one species, the aggression would be too high, and eventually you'd end up with 1 fish. With the ones you listed, the only one that would work would be the yellow labs. I wouldn't get any more than four fish, and get them as juvies, so they grow up together. Even w/only 4 fish you might find once they mature, the dominate male will kill off any other males, also starting w/four fish would leave space for babies. The only other mbuna species that I know of that would work in the tank by itself, would be pseudotropheus acei. If you want more than one species either get a bigger tank, or take a look at a Lake Tang setup. Good Luck Dawn

 

[freddyk]

A group of 4 or 5 yellow labs will get by in that tank, but the others you mentioned won't do well in it - their aggression will be too much for that little space.

 

[fish_keeper2]

thanks. ill take the p.socolofi and the other to a lfs and get 4 yellow labs once i upgrade the tank. i think it will look really nice with 5 bright yellow fish and a black background, black sand and lots of rocks.

 

[rixy]

sounds really nice fishkeeper2.sometimes its nice to have a small tank.you have to really think about what fish you put in.the yellow labs,black background,black sand,and,lots of rocks sounds perfect.

 

[fish_keeper2]

thanks rixy. i know i really have to think about what fish to get when i have small tanks. some fish that really want but cant keep for quite a while are stuff like common plecs, oscars, clown loaches etc but i just dont have the money or space for a tank that big.

thanks rixy. i know i really have to think about what fish to get when i have small tanks. some fish that really want but cant keep for quite a while are stuff like common plecs, oscars, clown loaches etc but i just dont have the money or space for a tank that big. along with a big mbuna tank but once i upgrade all my tanks i want have room for anymore. i barely will have room to set up a ten gal for a tree frog or a couple of tree frogs.

 

[rixy]

bigger tank/bigger fish all come in good time.i'm sure you'll get your dream set up one day as will the rest of us.you'll love the yellow labs.i've kept loads of fish and would say that malawi's are my favourite.

 

[mamafish68]

Just how many fish are you talking about? remember mbunas are breeders so are you prepared for fry too?

even if you keep only a handful of yellow labs, your gonna get fry!

 

[rixy]

dont worry fishkeeper2,you can hire out some of my eyebiter/livingstoni.they will eradicate your fry in no time.

 

[fish_keeper2]

i was gonna go with 5 yellow labs. if/when they breed and the fry survive and grow to a good size ill catch em and give or sell them to a lfs.