[ridley25]

If your tank is 48x15 you could add a third species to labs & demasoni if you pick the right species, like Iodotropheus sprengerae (rusties).

Roughly I would say 5 labs, 12 demasoni and 5 rusties.

Or were you hoping for a specific third species?

Some have been able to keep fewer than a dozen demasni but most get WWIII below this number. 12 is a lot of fish, even if they are small, so it's advisable that a third species be on the small side.

kevin

 

[ridley25]

Rusties vary. Some can look like this.

You could certainly go with 18 dems and 7-8 labs, but I would call that a full tank.

But seriously, after establishing a tank with those numbers you won't feel the need for a third species - it will be beautiful to watch.

The other option would be about 5 Synodontis lucipinnis - an entertaining catfish.

kevin

 

[ridley25]

Yes got my eye on those lucipinnis aswell, are they confused with petricola or something?

I believe they're very similar. You could also do S. multipuntatus, but I think they get bigger than the other two.

And RZs are Red Zebras, aka Metriaclima estherae.

kevin

 

[ridley25]

Not for a 48" tank. They are notorious for crossing with labs but I've never kept them together. Your results may vary.

But again, although doable, if you want bigger lab & dem numbers I would skip them.

kevin

 

[ridley25]

Those numbers sound good to me.

If you're buying juveniles sexing the mbuna will be very difficult. If that's the case, make sure you have an LFS or other hobbyists that will take your hyper-dominant/hyper-submissive/extra males and get (rough numbers):
10 labs
10 zebras
15 demasoni
Then thin your stock until you achieve peace and/or get to 1m/4f with the Labs & Zebras - which ever comes first.

You can use this Binomial Distribution Calculator to figure out your chances of getting 4 females from any purchased group.

kevin

 

[ridley25]

Those are starting numbers with juvenile fish to get you to approximately:
5 labs
5 zebras
12 demasoni
5 synos

kevin

 

[ridley25]

Oh, start with normal numbers if you are buying fish that can be reliably sexed.

It's just that these fish are usually older/bigger and therefore much more expensive.

kevin

 

[ridley25]

I found the other link I couldn't find the other day for odds of obtaining certain sexes.

It's here: http://www.africanfish.net/blogBinomial ... nomialDist

kevin