[kasey06]

In about a month I should be able to set up my 55 gallon and start the fishless cycle. I've gone back and forth a little on stocking but this is what I am thinking:
*Cynotilapia Afra (possibly cobue if available)
*Pseudotropheus Saulosi
*Labridochromus to be determind

Origionally I was going to get the Acei but I like the Saulosi coloring more and they are smaller. With the labs, I know I don't want the yellows but I haven't decided on which I will want. I am going to wait to see what is readily available and see them in person. Any I should avoid?

My main question is quantity. I will be buying as juveniles. My thought is 6 of each and as they mature return additional males to have correct ratio. The LFS in my area has a pretty good selection and can special order so I shouldn't have any issues getting these species.

I can't wait to get this tank started! Just waiting as we are most likely swapping out our single wide in the coming weeks. Trying to be patient!

 

[CichlidWhisperer]

Hmmm.. which Lab to add... Labs are one of my favorite fish :thumb: and I have a whole bunch in my all male mbuna tank.

I have to say the perlmutt is my favorite... He is such a sweetheart of a fish. He doesn't bother anyone, but can hold his own if needed and he is super friendly. The hongi and mbamba are really pretty, but similar color schemes to the C. afra Cobue, so you may not want to do that. The chisumulae might also be a cool choice... or if you want a paler color the pallidus... In general I really think they are all great! Some, like the mbamba are rumored to be more agressive, but not in my tank. My yellow lab and hongi are the bosses and very mild bosses at that.

As for the saulosi, I don't have any experience with those, but the acei are also very very sweet fish! And I simply love all Afras too! So I think you are gonna have an awsome tank. If you don't find what you are looking for at your LFS, I know a great place you can order fish from and get a large selection of Labs and Afra. Just PM me if you want the contact information (it is one of the most reputable dealers and he truly cares about the fish.)

I can't wait to see what you decide and see picturea of your tank

 

[Number6]

right Kasey, Cichlidwhisperer! stop clicking submit!

If there is a hang, you can just hit refresh and your post will very likely have posted ok. If you click Submit again, you get the dupes. Hope that helps!

On to the topic at hand... I buy at least 6 of each and do give away extra males that get hounded up into the corner of the tank. This often gets me better breeders than just picking up a single older male. That seems to be a total genetic gamble!

 

[chapman76]

I agree with all of the above. My Labidochromis perlmutt and Pseudotropheus saulosi tank was one of my favorites. I still look for a nice group of perlmutts.

 

[cichlidaholic]

chapman76, how do you think the saulosi will be with the afra Cobue?

Just interested to hear, since I've found some dwarf species don't colour up too well when kept with other dwarf species, but I've never tried this combination.

 

[kasey06]

I have to say the Perlmutt is probably my favorite out of the labs that I have seen. I need to get over to the store and talk with the owner and see what he has in stock and what he has access to. I was hoping to get the tank started next month since i'll be out of work for 10 days(not for a good reason-tonsils are being removed and I am 25 not a pleasant recovery from what i've been told). I should be able to get it going by august, I am really excited!
As for the reposts....I don't know what happened? I even opened up a new browser to see if it had posted and it hadn't so I hit submit again and then there were 4? I have issues from this computer at work thought. Oh well.

 

[kasey06]

I have to say the Perlmutt is probably my favorite out of the labs that I have seen. I need to get over to the store and talk with the owner and see what he has in stock and what he has access to. I was hoping to get the tank started next month since i'll be out of work for 10 days(not for a good reason-tonsils are being removed and I am 25 not a pleasant recovery from what i've been told). I should be able to get it going by august, I am really excited!
As for the reposts....I don't know what happened? I even opened up a new browser to see if it had posted and it hadn't so I hit submit again and then there were 4? I have issues from this computer at work thought. Oh well.

 

[chapman76]

chapman76, how do you think the saulosi will be with the afra Cobue?

Just interested to hear, since I've found some dwarf species don't colour up too well when kept with other dwarf species, but I've never tried this combination.

I originally thought it would be a problem, but I know of at least a dozen people on here who have tried it and it seems to be working out for them. It's one of those ones I say go ahead and try, but keep an eye on them for aggression because it could be a situation that deteriorates quickly.

I think the saulosi will be fine, it would be the cobue I worry about more. My saulosi have always been highly aggressive. I've only had one experience with Cynotilapia so far and they seem pretty mild mannered in comparison.

 

[CichlidWhisperer]

My C. afra Cobue is one of the most shy fish in my tank. He is an albino, so maybe that has something to do with it. He doesn't hide, but avoids potential confrontation. They might be different in a group though.

 

[kasey06]

If there is a slight concern should I go with a more aggressive Afra? In a previous post others had mentioned the Mbamba was more aggressive than some of the others? Or should I just give it a go and see how things work out? I am going to stop in this weekend at the store and see which they are currently stocking. Thanks.

 

[CichlidWhisperer]

I think the previous post was mine and refered to Labidochromis mbamba being a relatively agressive Lab (or supposed to be, mine is not.) I have no experience with C. afra mbamba.

 

[Hoosier Tank]

I really like my Labidochromis sp. mbamba male. His color patter would be similar to a C. afra Cobue though and the females are rather drab brown, this makes them easy to sex but they are rather dull. and are usually hard to find hiding in the lacerock... HOLDING!
Like I said I love that male!

 

[chapman76]

I would stick with cobue honestly over mbamba. Albinos always seem to be a bit more timid than their "normal" counterparts IME. Of course I've only kept about 6 different types of albinos.