Starting MBuna tank

[N©KI]

I've posted a similar message over at Cichlid-Forum to get the most views and lots of feedback.

I'm converting my 77 Gallon (120x40x60) into an MBuna tank in the next few weeks, and i've got to finally decide on what to keep.

i've chosen a few groups from the 75g cookie cutter setup (on Cichlid-Forum) and read the profiles of each and think i've come up with a good tank.

I'm running 1 Fluval 404 and 1 Fluval 204 canister filter, and will be building a wet-dry sump in the next few weeks. I've built a slate cave network in the middle and have water circulating through and around the structure via the UGJ system from this site.

The mbuna i've chosen are :

(** centerpeice species possibly?)

Maylandia estherae x 5 (4F,1M) **
Labidochromis Caeruleus x 5 (4F, 1M)**
Pseudotropheus demasoni x 2 (3F, 1M)
Labeotropheus trewavasae x 3? (2F, 1M)?
Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos x 3? (2F, 1M)

 

[Managuense]

your mbuna species sound great bro!

one suggestion, actually 2 for you:

i have had terrible experiences with demasoni......several times i have tried to keep them, even in groups of 12 or more.

EVERY time one of the males would slowly wipe-out all of the others, no matter what i did.

other people have NOT shared this experience, so to each his/her own.

one more for you?

many "newbies" to african ciclhids are obsessed with keeping 1 yellow one, 1 blue one, 1 orange one, etc. which makes for a behaviorally boring tank IMO.

go for only 3 or so species but get several OF them......

i personally would get more yellow labs than you have listed, and i would get more female labeos.....the males are RELENTLESS in their pursuit of them, and you can do well to get a lot of them....like 4 or so instead of just 2.

just my 0.02$, the good people at cichlid-forum.com should be a good help to you, they know their stuff.

 

[N©KI]

I'm not to concerned with having a multicolor tank as I am with making it fun to watch.

I may remove the P. Demasoni and replace them with more of something. You recommed the L.Caer females? 7 females and 2 males? Or 6-1?

 

[Managuense]

either would be fine honestly, the yellow labs play very nice together....even the males for the most part.

another peaceful and nice-looking species you may check out is iodotropheus sprengerae (sp?) or "rusties" ....they are nice mbuna also.

you are on the right track, just keep checking the cichlid-forum to see what they say also.

good luck bro!

 

[Somonas]

Keeping demasonis for a while is a great way to get experience with them. good luck. Some report success, while some report failure. I have not had luck with them, although I've never really tried. There are LOTS of other fish with similar colours and are not as aggressive (look up various pseudotropheus elongatus).

One last thing, it is not Maylandia, it is Metriaclima. If you do not believe me ask Ad Konings, Stuart Grant or Leif Demason.

(demason - demasoni by the way)

 

[Managuense]

metriclima- yeah i remember the reference to that some time ago......old habit i guess.

thanks for the clear-up somonas.