Cynotilapia afra care and info

[daxton]

I'm thinking of stocking my 55gal with a mix of Cynotilapia species, as long as they're visually distinct to avoid cross-breeding. I've narrowed it down to a few options -

5-6 Cyno Hara Afra
5-6 Cyno Jalo Rocks
5-6 Cyno Mara Rocks
5-6 Cyno Cobue

I'll probably only choose three Cyno species for the tank, adding 5-6 Iodotropheus sprengerae to the mix.

Is this a viable combination?

[kalevi]

Its not so much the males that cause the issue, it's the females that are the problem. The reason being, they look too similar, which makes cross-breeding a likely outcome. Having a larger tank with large groups of each species could potentially allow you to keep 2 or 3 Cyno species together, but that's not the case here.

From your list, I'd recommend choosing one Cyno species to pair with the Iodotropheus sprengerae. Adding another species like saulosi could work well, as they display great colours in both males and females, and they stay relatively small, making them suitable for your tank. Alternatively, you could consider any other species that catches your eye.

[daxton]

Thanks for the insight. Narrowing it down to one is going to be tough, I like them all. Should I go with a larger group of the chosen Cyno, say 10-12, or stick with 5-6 and add other species to build a community?

Thanks
Steve

[kalevi]

You're welcome, glad I could help. If you're dead set on having multiple Cyno species, I'd say go for two - just be aware that interbreeding is a risk, and try not to raise the fry if it happens. I can tell you're keen on the Cynos, so why not try two groups of six and see how they go? You can always thin them out later if needed. Then, you can add whatever other species you fancy. What's the total number of fish you're planning to keep in your 55gal, Steve?

[daxton]

I'm thinking around 20-24 fish. I'm leaning towards the Cyno Cobue and Mara Rocks, or maybe the Yellow Mara. The Cobue are really striking with their blue and orange colors, while the Mara Rocks have a nice brownish tone. Alternatively, the Lupingu is another option - they're a deep blue with stripes. The Rusties are a definite, and I'm also considering Pseudothropheus sp. Elongatus Jewel Spot. NKHATA Bay Labs are another possibility, too. There are just too many great options to choose from.

[kalevi]

A high number but with excellent filtration and maintenance, it should be alright. The issue is, there are so many great species to choose from, it's tough to decide. Do you have a reliable supplier or LFS for these fish? That's brilliant if you do.

[daxton]

I've got a few online suppliers lined up. The Rusties are a definite and I'm set on having at least one Cyno species. I'm torn between the Cobue, New North Hara Afra, and Jalo Reef for that one. For the third, I'm leaning towards either the Pseudo. Jewel Spot or the Lab. Nkhata Bay. Thinking of stocking 15-18 in total.

[kalevi]

You're in a great position having access to a wide variety of cichlids, many people struggle to look past the more common species like Pseudotropheus socolofi or Metriaclima greshakei. These are indeed beautiful fish, but it's always nice to have something a bit more unique. Considering your options, would you really need to have both the Pseudo elongatus and the Lab Nkhata Bay, or could you choose just one and pair it with something else?

[daxton]

Trying to get one shipment, problem is I've found one supplier with the Nkhata Bay Labs and another with the Jewel Spots. Both seem to have good references but I've never dealt with either before. I'm leaning towards the Jewel Spots and maybe picking up the Labs later.

[kalevi]

Anyone had hands-on experience with these suppliers? Good references are a must, so fingers crossed. Tank all set and ready to go? Don't forget to post pics when the fish arrive, always love seeing other people's tank setups.