Mbuna Setup

[fishboytoo]

I was at my favourite LFS today, the one with the knowledgeable staff. I came in to look at shelldwellers as that was what I thought would work best in the tank I'm going to be getting. The one guy said that he's successfully kept more than one Mbuna tank that was 3 feet long. I did read the pinned articles in this section and the one says three feet is a minimum.

So, I am now intent on a Mbuna tank. The tank I think I will get is 38 gallons, 36x12.5x20. I know a 55 would be better, but it won't fit. This tank should work, right? Speak now or forever hold your peace.

What kind of rock should I use? I am going to look at some landscape companies tomorrow. Would they be a good place to get proper rocks? Is there a better place to get them? My brother has a gravel pit on his property, so I have access to more rocks/boulders than you can shake a stick at, but I don't know if they are the right kind. I was thinking limestone would be best. Do they need to be all holey, like lava rock or tuffa, or would round stones work?

The guy at the LFS said I could keep about 10-12 fish in a 38 gallon, does this sound right? Any suggestions on what kind? Or more importantly, what kind not to get. Plenty of time to decide on livestock, I just like to have it planned out roughly first.

Thanks, in advance, for any comments/suggestions.

 

[freddyk]

In a 3 foot tank it's very important to be picky about the selection. The fish must be mild tempered and not grow too big in order for you to have long term success.

A few species that work well in the smaller tanks are Labidochromis Caeruleus, Iodotropheus Sprengerae, and Pseudotropheus Acei. Pseudotropheus Saulosi is an exeptional candidate because of both temper and size, and if you want a very mild tank Lab. Textilis is the mildest mbuna there is. How many you get will also depend on what types you get, but 12 is getting pretty high for all but the small species like Saulosi.

As far as rock goes, landscapers are a good and cheap method of obtaining rocks. Get whatever you like, this one is about personal taste.

 

[fishboytoo]

Awesome, thanks freddyk.

I was looking at P. socolofi, P. acei, and P. saulosi as possible candidates. I will definately research the others you mentioned.

Is it best to have groups of 3-4 for 3 species or would pairs of 5 species work? I have seen recommendations of groups of >4 for some species, does this apply to these species? I would like to maximize the diversity in the tank. If that means a maximum of two or three species, that's fine, I just want to know.

I was planning to stick to only the smaller varieties, about 3-4 inches in size. Is there somewhere I can see a list of only the small Mbunas? I wish search engines had that option, "find fish no bigger than XX inches". I think that would be useful. I only have found long lists, some aren't even divided between mbuna and the other kinds, so I don't even know if I am looking at a mbuna or a tanagynikan.

 

[Ferris]

An ideal group number is 4, with a ratio of 1 male to 3 females. This is not as important with the less aggressive species but i would certainly avoid keeping all males of the sames genus.

 

[fishboytoo]

Are you saying that for a less aggressive species, a pair would be acceptable?

As far as any other species in the same tank are concerned, do they care if there are 4 of another species or only 2? Do you only have to be concerned with group number within the species?

For example, would P.acei in a group of 4 care if there were also 2 P. saulosi rather than 4 P. saulosi? Would the 4 P. saulosi experience less aggression than if there were two, is this how it works? These species are just random examples.

 

[Ferris]

The group numbers are not as important as the right male/female balance. Another thing to consider is similar looking species will also compete so this is best avoided. Pairs are OK with the species you have mentioned and having 4 of one species and 2 of another won't makes any difference if they are compatible to begin with.

 

[fishboytoo]

Great. I think this opens up a lot more combinations of species.

Thanks Ferris

 

[Ferris]

 

[freddyk]

The best way to keep them if you want the most out of them is in groups really. Lab Caeruleus and Acei are both naturally grouping fish and you'll get the most out of them this way. I've also found that even if they get along fine in a pair the female can end up going through endless back to back breeding routines, which isn't really healthy and can affect growth.

 

[fishboytoo]

That sounds reasonable, I think I will be keeping groups of 4 or so. BTW, I figured out a way to get a 55 gallon long to fit in my place. I will have to move around my other tanks, but it is in the works. I'm moving the 33gal today. This means I will be able to have both variety and the proper group numbers.

It will be some time before I'm ready to add fish. When I have a tentative stocking plan, I will be looking here for some insight. Thanks for the help so far.

 

[j.c]

i was just wondering with all those pseudotropheus in the tank wont there be a high chance of them cross-breeding??


jamie...

 

[freddyk]

That can often be the case but with Pseudo Acei and Saulosi they are such different fish that it's not a worry at all - as long as you have females of each they'll do fine.