[kasey06]

Are there any major differences between these 3 besides appearance?
*Mbamba
*Chisumulae
*Hongi
I will be setting up a 55 shortly and like all 3 of these and am wondering if there are any differences. I will have 1 type in my tank along with Afra Cobue and possibly Acei. I really like the looks of the Mbama. Are there major differences between any of the labs? Ones to avoid?

 

[Joea]

Besides being different species, they have different temperaments. L. sp. "hongi" are pretty aggressive little fish and L. chisumulae are no slouch either. I would avoid putting the L. sp. "hongi" with the Cy. afra.

 

[kasey06]

Any thoughts on the Mbamba?

 

[kasey06]

The 55 gallon stocking list included the Afra Cobue with both Hongi/Chisumulae as being mildly aggressive? Are they not really?

 

[harris4097]

I have afras, hongis, and acei in the same tank no issue at all, the hongi gets possesive of his cavebut never really fights, the acei is the calmest fish i have. Seems to be working alright as my hongi's have bred 4 times and my afras once :thumb:

 

[Joea]

Oops, sorry, that should have read "I would avoid putting the L. sp. "mbamba" with the Cy. afra.".

 

[why_spyder]

My chisumulae do very well with all my other mbuna, peacocks, and utaka-type fish. The Lab. chisumulae don't really pay any attention to the other species near as much as each other.

 

[jhunbj]

I already have this two(L. sp. "Mbamba & Cy. Afra "Jalo reef") with my L. Hongi SRT in a 30G long. So far so good. :thumb: Just try it, maybe it'll work......it's working in my 30 G.

 

[CichlidWhisperer]

I have an all male tank with six labs:

L. hongi SRT
L. chisumulae
L. mamba
L. caeruleus
L. pearlmutt
L. pallidus

also in the tank are:
C. afra
C. sp 'Lion'
P. acei
P daktari
P. Williamsi North
M. esterae

They get along great (with some chasing of course.) Most are adults about 3-5 inches, but the L. mbamba, L. chisumulae, L. pallidus, and P. williamsi north are about 2 inches and just maturing so the dynamics may change in the future. Officially L. mbamba is supposed to be the most aggressive, but he is one of my most timid fish. My hongi actually does not like my mbamba and will chase him a little more than others. But, on the whole my hongi is pretty calm and well mannered.

IMO there is variation in whether you get an aggressive or mild one for the specific species.

Good luck wiht whatever you choose.