38 gallon mbuna tank

MOsborne05

MOsborne05

Superstar Fish
#1
Oct 3, 2005
1,584
3
0
42
Gibsonburg, OH
#1
In the next couple of months I will be changing my 38 gallon tank from a planted tank, to a mbuna tank. I'm tired of dealing with algae and my pH from the tap is 7.8, so I figured mbuna might work out better. So here are the stats......
AGA 38 gallon tank (36"x12"x20")
Quikrete commercial grade sand substrate
Rocks
Rena Filstar XP2 filter w/spraybar
Jager Heater

Right now I have a dual-tube strip light which holds 2 36" bulbs (30 watts each). It currently has Nutri-Gro plant lamps in it, should I switch to something different for mbuna? I mean, would another lamp help bring out the fish's colors more?

I am planning on stocking it with Pseudotropheus sp. Flamebacks and Cynotilapia afra Cobues. I can get both species from a breeder on Aquabid. They would only be about 1-2" though, so I'm assuming it would be hard to sex them when they are that young. How many of each species could I keep in the tank when they are full grown? And how many should I start with to ensure that I get a good m/f ratio?

Thanks for any and all help :)
 

straitjacket

straitjacket

Large Fish
#4
Mar 21, 2004
495
2
0
Los Angeles, CA
www.freewebs.com
#4
You wouldn't need extra light but it would help in algae growth. WHAT? No more algae you said! lol
Yes, but if you don't have a problem keeping the glass algae free (a short session of scraping before or during a WC) the algae would grow nicely on the rocks and eventually give the mbuna something to nibble on. A great way to observe natural mbuna behavior.
Not necessary but a thought ;) .
They don't need extra lighting to enhance their colors. I personally prefer my fish under a single bulb so long as the light doesn't give off a pink or yellow hue.

For the size tank and amount of fish I'd shoot for 6 fish of one species. (1-2M:4-5F). If the the filtration and waterchanges were sufficient and feedings light you could get away with 7-8 adult fish, 4 of each ratio being 1M:3F (or 4 of one and a trio of the other). Starting with at least 6 juveniles of each (8 preferably). My concern would be the ultimate size of the P. sp. Flameback. Adult males can reach and possibly exceed a length of 5". Aggression isn't extreme but size (of the tank or the fish themselves) may aggrevate it.
I think it's do-able but a careful eye and QT tank will give you some security should it, for some reason, not work out. :)
Not enough people keep Flamebacks. They're gorgeous fish! Good taste! *thumbsups
 

MOsborne05

MOsborne05

Superstar Fish
#5
Oct 3, 2005
1,584
3
0
42
Gibsonburg, OH
#5
OK thanks for the help. After searching through some profiles, I think I like the Labidochromis sp. Mbamba's better than the Cobues. Anyone have any experience with them? I've read that they can be highly aggressive to their own kind, so I'm assuming I should only have 1 male. I plan on ordering them from Cichlid Lovers Tropical Fish - African Cichlids, does anyone ordered from them before?
 

You must log in or register to reply here.