I would add them all at once. What is the length of the tank? 50 sounds like a lot of fish.
New Mbuna Tank
Hi,
I'm in the process to setup my first Mbunda tank. Have a 140G and was looking into buy 50 juveniles. What is my best bet, buy them all together at one go or dividing them into groups of 10 or so and letting them acclamate and finding their territory before adding more? My main concern is to reduce agression as much as possible. Tank will be cycled when this is done and hard scape is full of stones with many caves where they can shelter. Thanks for the help.
I'm in the process to setup my first Mbunda tank. Have a 140G and was looking into buy 50 juveniles. What is my best bet, buy them all together at one go or dividing them into groups of 10 or so and letting them acclamate and finding their territory before adding more? My main concern is to reduce agression as much as possible. Tank will be cycled when this is done and hard scape is full of stones with many caves where they can shelter. Thanks for the help.
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1.5m (5feet). Are 50 mbunas way too much you think?
It really depends on the species involved, and if you are buying groups, to remove extra males in the future. Which fish are you purchasing?dmowlin said:1.5m (5feet). Are 50 mbunas way too much you think?
thinking about buying the less agressive types, also one that don't grow as much as some do. So, Yellow Labs, Red Zebras, Jalo reefs, and Rustys. Would like some deep blue ones like the Johannis or Demasonis but have been put off them by their behavious.
I wouldn't do Yellow Labs and red zebras... too much hybridization risk.dmowlin said:thinking about buying the less agressive types, also one that don't grow as much as some do. So, Yellow Labs, Red Zebras, Jalo reefs, and Rustys. Would like some deep blue ones like the Johannis or Demasonis but have been put off them by their behavious.
A tank with Yellow Labs, Jalo Reefs, Rusties, and M. cyaneorhabdos (Electric Blue Johanni) would do well in your tank. I would go with eight of each, and remove problem males if necessary. Maybe add in a half dozen Synodontis multipunctatus too. The electric blue johanni aren't as a aggressive as regular johanni, and would look better too.
50 mbuna seems like way too many to me for that size of tank. I'd keep it under 30 for most mbuna.
If he's stocking small juveniles, 50 might be a good idea. Unless it's really tall, a 5' 140 gallon should have plenty of square footage and it would be a great way to be able to pick out the best individuals to keep, get rid of any extra males, and guarantee that you're able to end up with a perfect male to female ratio.
thanks guys for the helpful replies. Will go with ''Yellow Labs, Jalo Reefs, Rusties, and M. cyaneorhabdos (Electric Blue Johanni)''. Will get 45 so as not to overdo it and will eventually remove the problem males. Thanks for the help 
In a 72" tank I like to end up with about 25 fish for mixed gender tanks after removing problem males...for most species.
This is a 60" tank.
This is a 60" tank.
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