getting started with mbuna

[florin1]

Hi,

I'm in the process of setting up my first cichlid tank and I'm feeling pretty lost despite all the research I've done - there's just so much to take in.

I'm working with a relatively small tank size - 50-60g - due to space constraints at home.

Locally, I've found the following species available:
- pseudotropheus demasoni
- pseudotropheus sp. acei
- labidochromis caeruleus
- metriaclima lombardoi (or "kenyi african" as they're commonly referred to)
- Melanochromis auratus

I'm drawn to all of these, but I'm unsure about the ideal combination and quantity for my tank. I'm aware that the kenyis and demasoni can be quite aggressive - not sure if I can work around that. I'm considering keeping a single demasoni, or possibly a small group.

On a separate note, I have a different tank in mind - 120g - and I was thinking of introducing kribs. I know they shouldn't be mixed with angels, but I'm wondering if keeping just one krib would reduce aggression towards other fish. I also have some bolivian rams in the tank - not sure if that would cause any issues. Ideally, I'd like to keep more than one krib if possible.

[floriana]

I think 6 Labidochromis and 6 Acei would work well together. Metriachlimas are great fish too, I've heard good things about them. As for the Demasoni, I'd personally advise against them unless you're planning a species-only tank. They can be extremely aggressive and might not mix well with others. If you do decide to go with Demasoni, you could easily keep 12-15 of them in a tank that size, but like I said, I think it's best to keep them separate.

[florin1]

I was thinking a mix would be nice, so I'll probably avoid the demasonis then.

If I went with 6 labs and 6 aceis, would I still have space for some metriaclimas? I'd love to include a few for the females' blue colouring, it'd be a nice addition.

[floriana]

I think you could pick two of those species and have six of each, they seem to get along fine but they do prefer their own kind. Six labs and six acei would work well together, but adding the metriaclimas might be a bit too much. My labs and blue zebras tend to shoal together, so it's possible they'll mix with the acei.

[kalevi]

Having 3 smaller species in your tank is definitely doable, but it's worth noting that the Acei and Labs can get quite large. I agree with the suggestion of having 6 of each of two species, but if you want more variety, you could consider the smaller species like the Metriaclima lombardoi for some added blue coloring.

[floriana]

I'd recommend checking out some dwarf mbuna species, they're really worth considering. You could add more of them to your tank, and they'd look fantastic. For instance, Cynotilapia afra, also known as white top hara, are truly stunning fish. Another great option is Pseudotropheus saulosi, these fish are just amazing.

[florin1]

I'm really limited with my options since our local selection is pretty bad. I guess I'll go with six of two species then, thanks for the advice.

[florin1]

Sorry to revive this thread again, I've been pondering another question and thought I'd get some input.

I was considering a different combination for my 50g tank - 6 Melanochromis auratus and 6 Metriaclima lombardoi, with a 1m:5f ratio for both. I've been searching for a definitive answer on this, but haven't been able to find anything conclusive.