[Nutty4Mbunas]

I have a 55 gal tank which I just redid with rocks and plants (plastic) I have some floating live plants. I have it stocked with all new Juvies of 2 mainganos, 2 P. acei, 1 red M. ethare (?), 1 yellow lab, 2 johani, 1 kenyii, 4 (?) red top zebra. (one of the red top zebra is a hybrid?) I was told. the substrate is small natural pebble rocks, the rock covering is limestone and some plastic wood looking pieces. I have a filter/pump that came with the tank. my interest in fish in general has ben since I was a child my interest in cichlids started when I was given a red M. estherae which I had for about 5 years. I also have a 30 gal tank which will become my maternity tank and a 10 gal for hospital/nursery. I'm hoping that I have some pairs and that I will experience little hatchlings soon. Am I being too optimistic? I keep reading in your forum about huge tanks and lots of fish of the same species? Should I move the P acei to their own tank? or for that matters should I move any of them to the 30 gal. It seems like all are getting along well for the time being. 9 of them were introduced at the same time and last friday I introduced 4 more trying to pair the species. Buying fishies is fun but can get expensive that is why im trying to breed. I dont want to breed hybrids and want to keep the species line pure. Though I did buy a hybrid unknowingly!
This website is very informative and I love to spend hours reading all the posts and answers. :thumb:
Your responses are greatly appreciated!!! opcorn:

 

[DMWave45]

Mbuna are not pairing fish at all. You need at least groups of four-six of each species to have a succesful tank and breeding otherwise your 1 female will be a goner when the make wants to breed. I would also get rid f the kenyi as they will probably be too agressive for your 55.

 

[Tula]

I've never had Kenyi but have heard repeatedly that they are too aggressive for a 55gal. Also, you have a lot of pairs, unfortualtely Malawi Cichlids are not pairing fish. What people usually do is pick 3 or 4 species that they really like, and then try to get a ratio of 1 male to 3-4 females. Having too many males and too few females will lead to fights and deaths. A lot of people do the Labs with Acei (do you have Yellow tail or Ngara?), they are milder Mbuna. You could do just those two and do a large group of both, as they both prefer large groups. Plus the Acei like to swim all over the tank which is nice.

If you do groups as i described above, with good water quality you'll have no problem with getting fry.

Check out the cookie cutter section for some ideas of stocking lists for your size tank.

 

[Nutty4Mbunas]

I think I have pairs so far. I only got one Kenyii. Unfortunetly, the LFS I go to which is about 92 miles from me, the place caught fire and most of the fish were destroyed in the fire.

The local pet shops only carry tropical fish and they dont have a good cichlid selection. The owner is selling some of his breeders until he can get up and running again. the local fish farm is donating fish to him until his insurance can compensate him and he was under insured. Like I said I'm new to this hobby I only got one kenyii and he is doing fine...I want to breed the Acei they are the yellow tails and the johanni I just learned about them that they can be very aggresive and grow to be big fishies.
I had 3 cichlids which I traded back to the LFS. one was a rusty, a cobalt zebra and a red. They grew in the year I had them to full size and the fights that they had in that 55 gal was unbearable for me to enjoy them and they were always hiding or fighting, you only heard water splashing in that tank! Of course I didnt have all the rocks I have now, I had more of a driftwood (plastic) centerpiece with other hiding spaces. After much reading and soul searching I decided to trade them. I think if you can see the video I think my rusty is on the headline! Needless to say I feel guilty about them possibly perishing in the fire and I think I saw the red while I was there on friday. I went to buy yellow labs but of course he didnt have them. From your experience what do YOU suggest I stock my 55 gal tank with. Its going to be a while since I can trek again to the fish store and get more fish
thanks again
:fish:

 

[Tula]

well you have 2 mainganos, 2 P. acei, 1 red M. ethare (?), 1 yellow lab, 2 johani, 1 kenyii, 4 (?) red top zebra-which is 7 different fish. It's not possible for you to have the proper ratios to decrease aggression. I would choose 3 fish that you really like, and then get 4 of each (1 male and 3 females-this may take some trial and error). I would lose the Kenyi and maybe even the johani (someone else may know them better). If you want fry, then you don't want to have the Labs and Zebras because they will breed and give you lots of hybrids.

These are some suggestions from the cookie cutter section for a 55-gallon tank
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_55g.php

Smaller, Less Aggressive Mbuna Aquarium

Select any 3 species (max 12 fishes):
• Metriaclima estherae
• Pseudotropheus saulosi
• Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei"
• Labidochromis sp. "Hongi"
• Labidochromis caeruleus
• Labidochromis sp. "Perlmutt"
• Labidochromis chisimulae
• Iodotropheus sprengerae
• Cynotilapia afra
Do not mix any Labidochromis species.

Larger, More Aggressive Mbuna Aquarium

Select any 2 groups (max 10 fishes):
• Labeotropheus trewavasae
• Melanochromis johanni
• Tropheops tropheops
• Pseudotropheus elongatus
• Metriaclima pyrsonotos

 

[Tula]

before you make the trek back to the store, call them first and see what they have. That way if they don't have what you want you don't waste the time. They will probably let you trade some of the fish you have for others, so you can increase your numbers of specific fish.

 

[Nutty4Mbunas]

that the store caught on fire. I didnt know it until I got there on friday. the filter I use is a HOB it has a bio wheel but I need to get a replacement. I should have said that I feed them cichlid pellets that have been infused with a color enhancer that I got at the FS and flakes. I also have two beautiful yellow snails to help keep some of the algae in check. I use a magnet type glass cleaner for the front and side but leave the back without cleaning for the snails and the new acei's. Im attempting to vacuum the substrate tomorrow. I think I have a cynotilapia afra in there too...I know I got a variety of them and should have done more research on the stocking of the 55 gal. I was counting on the knowledge of the FS. If they get too out of hand again I will take them back and trade them though this time Im not naming any of them...lol. But at least I am doing something right, they survived the trip to the FS and they have made it to their new home alive. Im glad these fish are so hardy!
[/img]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwtkAHXkO94