what size fish to buy

[hargi22]

been to LFS today just to look at Africans mainly lake malawi cichlids and they had 3 sizes small ones about 2-3 cm medium say 4-5 cm and large 6-7 cm
which is the best to buy if starting from scratch, and how long will they tak eto reach full size?
thanks
matt

 

[Ferris]

The most important thing is to add the fish at the same size to avoid smaller fish being picked on. Mbuna tend to get more aggressive as they grow so i'd reccommend starting with them as juveniles.

They grow reasonably quickly but take a couple of years to reach full size. This is a general rule but some species grow at different speeds.

 

[freddyk]

It's generally safest to buy all of them at a small size - adding adult fish to the tank can be very unpredicable.

 

[modernhamlet]

I'd also add that watching a tank of juvenile mbuna mature and color up is a real pleasure. The development of group and tank hierarchies and establishment of territories is fascinating to watch unfold.

 

[Ferris]

I'd also add that watching a tank of juvenile mbuna mature and color up is a real pleasure. The development of group and tank hierarchies and establishment of territories is fascinating to watch unfold.

That is so true and reason enough by itself to go for juvies!

 

[hargi22]

Is it posible to tell what colour they will be when they mature or is it just guess work. i know yellow labs will be yellow and that but some of the other species will they vary alot from there juvies colour?

That is so true and reason enough by itself to go for juvies!

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[fish_r_great]

Get the scientifis names from the lfs and then google them for pics. Most pics will be of mature fish.

 

[Ferris]

Thats a good question because quite a few Mbuna change colour as they mature dependant on their sex. A good example is Maylandia Estherae (red zebra's), as males mature their fins can turn blue from their original orange and in some cases they turn completely blue. Females remain Orange.

Maylandia Lombardoi would be another similar example. Your best bet is to find some fish that you would like and make colour morphs/changes part of your research before buying any.