same question again?

[fish_chic]

okay how many mbunas can i have in my 55 gal. now when i ask this i want to know how many can be in there when they are full adult size. i just think that when you guys reply and say i could add a little more that you mean for know but i am going to have to take some out when they start getting bigger. i am just still confused, really sorry for the same question.

and one more than can you have peacocks and mbunas in the same tank or are the mbunas to much for the peacocks.

 

[SinisterKisses]

Mbuna are too much for peacocks. Either keep mbuna, or peacocks and haps...its best not to mix the two.

Remind me again, what exactly do you have in there right now, and what are their sizes?

 

[fish_chic]

okay i have...
2 red zebras
2 yellow labs
2 kenyis
1 blotchy kind
1 unknow zebra
2 auatrus (sorry spelling, can never remember how to spell that one)
1 johanni

i want to get rid of one of the red zebras, one of the yellow labs or both, and probably the female auatrus, and maybe the male of it (if it becomes to mean)

and i wanted to add some alunocara (think thats how ya spell it) but i didn't know if that was okay with the mbunas.

 

[SinisterKisses]

If you want to do peacocks, I'd have to strongly suggest getting rid of all the mbuna except for the yellow labs for it to be successful.

You have kind of a volatile mix in there right now. I believe I've mentioned it before, but mbuna aren't pairing fish. Having 2 of a species likely will not end well, especially in a tank full of rather aggressive fish. Right off the bat, I have to recommend getting rid of both Kenyi. They're the #1 problem I can foresee...and the auratus too, but you've already said you want to get rid of one or both of them.

If you adjust your stocklist a little, do some research to pick a compatable group, then yes, you can add more. As it stands right now, when those fish become fully mature, I'd say adding more is a bad idea, unless its more of a same species to balance out proper numbers.

 

[fish_chic]

well i think my bf would be a little pissed if i told him that i wanted to change the stock of the fish. so maybe i will just get rid of auratus and only have one of each kind in there. i really love the kenyi's so if they become a problem i will get rid of them.

now once i get the stock all in line how many should i have in there, so when they all become full adult size they will be still comfortable. i just don't want to have it overstocked now and once they start getting bigger, i will have keep getting rid of some. i hope that makes sense

i was thinking maybe 8 to 10 full size adults would be comfortable?

 

[fish_chic]

so what do ya guys think, 8 to 10 full adult size mbunas in a 55 gal. i was thinking that the adult size would be no more then 6 inches.

 

[SinisterKisses]

...the 'comfiness' of the adults depends on the type of fish you have, and with the fish you do have, as adults, I doubt many of them will be all to comfortable.

I'm sorry, but having a pissed off boyfriend for a day or so is better than watching your fish kill each other off, isn't it? Not to mention a waste of money. I don't see the big deal anyway...just explain to him that after asking and doing some research, the fish you have aren't a very good mix and are too aggressive, and for the tank to be successful you should change it around some.

 

[fish_chic]

k, i got it. i am either going to do all peacocks, or something that i have also read where in a 55 gal you have 2 species. 5 of each species where you have 4 females and 1 male ratio on each side. eventually giving you 10 adult sized mbunas to live comfortably. does that sound okay.

 

[SinisterKisses]

If you do the mbuna, the 2 species would be good, especially with a 1m/4f ratio. Just be sure to research and make sure they're compatable. That being said...as long as you've got sufficient filtration on the tank, you can definitely have more than 10 fish in there - again, as long as they're compatable and get along (a lot of times the fish will determine this no matter how hard you try, so just be prepared). My 55gal mbuna tank typically has at least 20 fish in there.

 

[Purple]

Hmm - well, the easy bit is mixing peacocks and mbuna - no - forget it. The mbuna are too dominant.

As far as numbers go - two theories exist, largely side by side. First one says don't overcrowd to avoid aggresion - second one says overcrowd to avoid aggresion.

First theory works cos if there's enough space for territories then there's no conflict.

Second theory works cos if there's not enough space for territories, then no-one has one - so they won't fight over it.

Good points of the first theory are - fish display natural behaviour.

Good points of the second theory are - you get to watch a lot of fish swimming around.

Then - as SK says - fish have personalities - and it may not go according to plan.

So - nix the mix - decide if you want natural or "full of fish" - and be prepared to change everything if the fish don't see it your way.

This fish keeping lark is easy really ........... lol

 

[fish_chic]

okay i really like the species Cynotilapia i was maybe thinking of just doing all this species. so if i get a couple of them in the above species with good male to female ratios does it matter if they interbreed with each other, do they become hybrids still? hope that makes sense.

 

[SinisterKisses]

Don't mix afras. Pick one species and stick with it, or add a completely different species. They'll likely kill each other off if you pick two afra species...plus, only male afras typically are pretty. Have you seen female pics? They're very dull, so if you're looking for a colourful tank, you may want to reconsider.

 

[Katie217]

Ohh if your going to do mbuna, and want a colourful stock mix of the same species, I suggest Salousi Those could go in a 55 right SK?

 

[SinisterKisses]

Lol yes Katie, they could indeed