75G or 55G Cichlid Tank
- Thread starter chmielio54
- Start date
The one inch per gallon is a guideline only, not a rule. And does not apply to all fish, certainly not with mbuna.
Get the 75gallon if you can. It will provide more surface area, and more room to allow for caves. There isn't a lot of other cichlids can do well with mbuna other than other mbuna, so you have to becareful about other tankmates. Some others do well, while others don't. I don't know enough about malawi cichlids to give you a good idea though.
Get the 75gallon if you can. It will provide more surface area, and more room to allow for caves. There isn't a lot of other cichlids can do well with mbuna other than other mbuna, so you have to becareful about other tankmates. Some others do well, while others don't. I don't know enough about malawi cichlids to give you a good idea though.
Last edited:
Submitted articles
AFRICAN CICHLIDS: THE MBUNA.
Size of tank: Most Mbuna grow to around 8 to 9 inches as a result, you have to plan for when they become full adults and reach their normal length.
Water chemistry: As I mentioned before, the pH value of the water of these lakes is alkaline. Do read before about the requirements of the particular specie you wish to keep and then, read about how to obtain and keep this desired values.
Salt: Although some authors recommend the use of salt, I do this carefully. I add just a tiny bit of a prepared mix recommended for Malawi cichlids. You can find this in any of the mail order shops.
Aquascape and Aggressive Behavior: Because Mbuna are highly territorial you should try to prepare your tank in a way that enables them to form and defend territories, much like they do in the wild. Also, you have to keep in mind the word “Mbuna” and provide them with lots of rocks and caves. As for plants, if you decide to use live plants, go for Vallisneria that naturally grows in this lake and it is quite prepared to thrive in this water.
AFRICAN CICHLIDS: THE MBUNA.
Size of tank: Most Mbuna grow to around 8 to 9 inches as a result, you have to plan for when they become full adults and reach their normal length.
Water chemistry: As I mentioned before, the pH value of the water of these lakes is alkaline. Do read before about the requirements of the particular specie you wish to keep and then, read about how to obtain and keep this desired values.
Salt: Although some authors recommend the use of salt, I do this carefully. I add just a tiny bit of a prepared mix recommended for Malawi cichlids. You can find this in any of the mail order shops.
Aquascape and Aggressive Behavior: Because Mbuna are highly territorial you should try to prepare your tank in a way that enables them to form and defend territories, much like they do in the wild. Also, you have to keep in mind the word “Mbuna” and provide them with lots of rocks and caves. As for plants, if you decide to use live plants, go for Vallisneria that naturally grows in this lake and it is quite prepared to thrive in this water.
