small mbuna

[Hanako]

Was wondering what are some nice species of mbuna that stay relatively small?? I'm planning on setting up a 33 gallon cichlid tank. Also how many could I put in my tank? I do like the electric yellows...

Also is the cichlid mix substrate necessary? pH of my water is 7.8, don't know KH though

Thanks, any comments welcome!

 

[Ferris]

Electric yellows don't stay small but are one of the few Mbuna that are possible in a 33 gal tank. Other options would be Pseudotropheus Acei or Iodotropheus Sperengerae (Rustys).

These are about the only Mbuna species that could work in a 33 gal. You could go for perhaps 2 of these species with 3 or 4 of each (1 male and the rest female for each species)

If you could lay your hands on a 55gal you would have many more options including the more aggressive species.

Your Ph is fine and gravel or sand are also ok for substrate.

Hope this helps

 

[Hanako]

Thanks for the info Ferris!!

Blah, I do have a 55, but it needs resiliconing and a new canopy...oh well - the cichlid in your avatar is stunning...


Wondering why they have to be kept in groups of 3?? I don't think they specify genders at the LFS, how would I know what I have?

 

[Ferris]

They don't have to be kept in groups of 3, you are just limited by your tank size. You need to avoid too many males because of the aggression, research and a good LFS are your best bets for determining gender. Read the pinned articles at the top of this forum aswell.

Avatar pic is a Pseudotropheus Demasoni by the way, stunning fish but very very aggressive.

 

[colen]

I agree, becareful on how many males you end up with in your tank. Since the tank is small you'll notice the aggresion that much more and your fish will be more stressed out.

 

[Hanako]

hmm i guess it'd be best to work out some kind of exchange system with an lfs then...


is this for real? - cichlid recipe

even i can tell that's way overstocked?

 

[freddyk]

Hey Hanako. Do yourself a favour and ignore that website.

If you're concerned about gender, go with fish with which gender is unimportant. YOu can do, for example, 4-5 Lab Caeruleus and 4-5 Pseudo. Acei and not have to worry about gender or aggression (while achieving a very nice tank).

In a 33 gallon I once had 6 Lab. Caeruelus, 3 Iodo. Sprengerae, and a single male Aulonocara Maulana and I still consider it one of my favourate and most complimented tanks.

When it comes to mbuna it's always good to deal with a reliable place that takes trades because you just never know with these guys. Despite our most careful planning these fish can be unpredictable.

 

[Hanako]

Thanks freddyk... what sort of decor did you use in your 33 gallon?

 

[Ferris]

The advice on that website is plain awful, a trio of haps with 2 trio's of mbuna and bottom feeders and danios in a 30 gal, yeah right!

Like freddyk says, ignore it.

 

[freddyk]

what sort of decor did you use in your 33 gallon?

I used lava rocks and then grew a nice carpet of algae over it (which kept most of the fish busy grazing), along with the same beach sand for substrate.