Setting Up Mbuna Tank

[tattae]

After reading such a good article about mbuna that was pinned on this web, I'm on my way to explore the new territory I have a 48"x20"x20" tank and thinking about keeping pseudotropheus acei and labidochromis caeruleus (yellow lab?) How many of each should I keep? Is it critical to obay the male/female ratio? And is there any other breed that is compatible with these two, preferrably purple or red or pink color? Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[Druchii]

Hi and welcome to the world of 'Malawi' Cichlids

Your tank sounds just about ok for the two species that you wish to have in it

Both the two species you have picked tend to be of the less aggressive ones and also as a direct result for these two species only it is not CRITICAL that you get the M/F ratio spot on, ie you can have more than one male in the tank of each species

That said you should always try and have more females than males, it's just a question of how many...

I would say that a group of 6 Acei 2M/4F would work well with a group of 8 yellow labs say 2/6 or 3/5 worst case 4/4 and see how it goes from there..

The trouble is the males and females are hard to sex accurately in both these species particulalry in juve fish of less than 2" and above that size can still be hit and miss except for the dominant male of each species... the key is to understanding the differences between sub-dom males and females which is harder said than done

what are the water stats like in your part of the world, you ideally need high pH and hard water for Malawis to work well in??

Hopefully this has helped you a bit

Regards,

Dru.

 

[tattae]

Thank you Dru,

I picked these two because they are less aggressive. I haven't checked my lfss if they have them. Luckily, I leave nearby the fish 'market' where there are literally a hundred fish stores. but only a couple them sell mbuna, most stores sell fish for the community tank and flower horn, which is a big trend here these days.

Honestly, I never checked my pH and hardness. Will check it and let you know. In my community tank, I just put drinking water and they seem happy. I just connect a hose to the drinking water filter system and turn it on straight to the tank