Mbuna territory disruption

[Metermaid]

So given the nature of Mbuna is it a good idea to move rocks etc around before adding new tank mates to disrupt territory or would this make things worse?

 

[vantgE]

what fish do you have? will there be a considerable size difference? do you already have especially territorial fish? can it be done easily?
I can't see it makeing it worse
I wouldn't in my tank, with the fish biteing and the rocks slideing but, it could help if you expect a problem also add them at night, I think try it first and be ready to move some stuff around after they were in.

 

[Metermaid]

Vantge - I don't have fish yet - ready to start adding and as a Mbuna beginner I was checking the best way to do it if I can't add them all at once - planning to go with all juvies, Lab caer, acei and saulosi. When you mention the fish biting is that me - as well as other tank mates?

 

[Oddball]

The trick metermaid is to get the tank set up how you like it before you add the cichlids to it #

It lets u get it all nice and set up without the chance of harming a fish, lets all the juvies pick a nice territory and settledown for a long and happy life

 

[G_Sharky]

As long as your tank is big enough then there shouldn't be some serious injuries, In my experience adding any fish in an establish african tank will get beaten and harrass for a couple of days until he gets included in the pecking order, If you have adult africans its better to put in smaller fish(that's not matured, and don't have the color) because they don't see it as a threat. Also moving around your decoration would make your fish agressive and you would find them fighting because they are trying to establish their territoy and pecking order. The best thing to do is get them all together at once, but with africans you'll always want something new.....lol.....This info is all base on my personal experience so I can't tell you that it would happen this way on your tank....Goodluck....

 

[vantgE]

Vantge - I don't have fish yet - ready to start adding and as a Mbuna beginner I was checking the best way to do it if I can't add them all at once - planning to go with all juvies, Lab caer, acei and saulosi. When you mention the fish biting is that me - as well as other tank mates?

Iam mostly refering to my maylandia lombardoi which are well known to be a more agresive species, for some reason he doesn't like my hand i can barely put it in the tank, but he is much more tolerant with other fish as long as they don't go in his cave. I jsut wouldn't want him attacking me while i'm moveing the rocks about with all the slipery algae and such the main reason for me, my fish have not had problems with adding fish, I added one larger then them and had no problems, and recently put a damaged elongatus back in with them with minimal problems.

 

[Ferris]

Best advice I could give re adding new fish to an Mbuna tank is add them small. I've had various problems adding large fish or fish of a similar size to an existing tank, they are seen as a threat wheras juvenile fish are not. I've had to retuen several large fish i attempted to add, but to date I've not had a problem with smaller Mbuna.

 

[Gavmoore23]

when i add new fish i have to cover the tank so its completly dark for at least 24 hours.

 

[keane]

I want my tank set up!!

Am going to Oasis this weekend for a mooch around whether the missus likes it or not!!!!

By the way.....am lovin' the tank in your sig Gav....superb!!

steve 8)

 

[Metermaid]

Just can't wait any longer huh Steve !!

 

[keane]

yeah yeah...rub it in Rita!!

some day soon....some day soon.....

steve 8)

 

[Ferris]

TBR - make that some day soon - this weekend

You know you want to!

 

[Oddball]

oooooooooo you know ya wnat to TBR listen....................the africans are calling you...................Steve buy me...................lol