Small Mbuna

[joecoral]

got a 40USG tank ready to set up, planning on going for mbuna.
I plan to have 6 L.caeruleus and 6 P.socolofi, and I want another 6, preferably either a single species or a few individuals of other species to go in, but im not sure which
can anyone recommend any suitable mbuna which stay 5" or less?

EDIT - preferably something which isn't blue or yellow

 

[dthoffsett]

got a 40USG tank ready to set up, planning on going for mbuna.
I plan to have 6 L.caeruleus and 6 P.socolofi, and I want another 6, preferably either a single species or a few individuals of other species to go in, but im not sure which
can anyone recommend any suitable mbuna which stay 5" or less?

Unless your 40 is a 4-foot, it's not going to work for mbuna.

If it is a 4-ft, I'd go with a max of 10-12 adults, so you would be stocked with what you are already planning.

 

[joecoral]

dimensions are 101x41x50cm (3'3" x 1'3" x 1'6")
gross volume is actually 55USG according the the aquarium calculator, altho i assume it will be closer to 45 after displacement of water and rocks
so because it's not 4' it completely rules out mbuna altogether?!
JC

 

[adpierin11]

Actually yes. Mbuna need 55 or larger.

Why don't you look at some Lake Taganyika shell dwellers like the multies... I personally want some of those in my new tank when I get it.

 

[kj23502]

Here is your tanks volume: Your tank's volume is 207,050 cubic centimeters or 207.05 liters, which is approximately 53.23 U.S. gallons, from this site.


It is possible to still have some neat african cichlids in there. Just not the kind you had in mind.
Look here

 

[dthoffsett]

dimensions are 101x41x50cm (3'3" x 1'3" x 1'6")
gross volume is actually 55USG according the the aquarium calculator, altho i assume it will be closer to 45 after displacement of water and rocks
so because it's not 4' it completely rules out mbuna altogether?!
JC

Unfortuantly mbuna aren't going to work, they really need the 4-ft length to set up territories. However, as adpierin and kj point out, your tank would be perfect for some of the smaller Lake Tanganikya fish, or some of the African riverine species.