[willyg1631]

Hi all. Hoping I can get some help with this. A ways off since i have delivery time plus setup plus no fish cycling time. Display tank is 73g ,47"x21x20 rocks and sand. Want to carefully consider fish so your input will get me started. Subject to your advise my thoughts are:
-Mbuna only preferably males and female of different colors
-like to start with bunch of young ones- say 6 unsexed of each (minimize investment while I'm learning)
-busy tank with lots of color and fish for Susie (still awaiting permission)

I really don't have an LFS as I'm in mnw so looking at online order from the usa. Like the look of an online store in Utah and will likely order from them subject to your advise. Their current stocklist of Mbuna as follows:
• Auratus Cichlid
• Bumblebee Cichlid
• Cherry Red Zebra
• Clown Lab
• Cobalt Blue Zebra Cichlid
• Demasoni Cichlid
• Electric Yellow Cichlid
• Halomaylandi Chizumulu
• Kenyi Cichlid
• Kingsizei Likoma Frost
• Labeotropheus Chiofu Bay
• Labidochromis sp. "Perlmutt"
• Maingano Cichlid
• Maison Reef Chilumba Zebra
• Malawi Assorted Mbuna Mix
• Marmalade Fuelliborni
• Msobo Magunga Cichlid
• OB Red Zebra
• Red Face Mac
• Red Top Hongi
• Rusty
So people what do you think?

 

[DJRansome]

All male mbuna is challenging. Think in terms of 12 individuals that mature <= six inches and make sure none of them look alike. For example, choose one blue barred fish.

Would you consider all male haps and peacocks instead?

One advantage in addition to more fish that don't look alike and that are more peaceful is that you can routinely buy adult, sexed haps and peacocks.

 

[willyg1631]

Gee DJ I thought going all Mbuna young groups would make it easy. Seems I don't understand. Do want to start with unsexed or young groups of say 6. Open to Haps and peacocks but in young groups if feasible.

 

[damerf]

I think DJ thought you were going to try all 21 different species in your tank. I only have experience with some of those fish so I will let other more experience Mbuna keepers comment on your stocking.

 

[ken31cay]

• Auratus Cichlid
• Bumblebee Cichlid
• Cherry Red Zebra
• Clown Lab
• Cobalt Blue Zebra Cichlid
• Demasoni Cichlid
• Electric Yellow Cichlid
• Halomaylandi Chizumulu
• Kenyi Cichlid
• Kingsizei Likoma Frost
• Labeotropheus Chiofu Bay
• Labidochromis sp. "Perlmutt"
• Maingano Cichlid
• Maison Reef Chilumba Zebra
• Malawi Assorted Mbuna Mix
• Marmalade Fuelliborni
• Msobo Magunga Cichlid
• OB Red Zebra
• Red Face Mac
• Red Top Hongi
• Rusty
So people what do you think?

Here's a link to cookie cutter ideas for a 48" tank. Scroll down the page to the Mbuna section. This will give you an idea of which combos of mbuna that might work in your tank.

https://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_75g.php

-Mbuna only preferably males and female of different colors

I don't have alot of experience planning new mbuna tanks, but I can say achieving what you want may not be as simple as you think. Your tank size will work but it is the minimum size for most Malawi and so that is one thing to keep in mind. Another is relative aggression; some combinations of fish won't work as well together due to mismatch in aggression. Getting specific colors is a limitation. Another consideration is interbreeding between certain mbuna species.

Sorry I can't provide more specific advice, hopefully DJ will post again or another member will provide some direction.

 

[DJRansome]

Agree, I thought you wanted them all. Did not read carefully. Think in terms of 4 groups with 1m:4f of each. Choose fish that are peaceful, or reduce the number of species. Better to start with 8 of each for a good chance of getting 4 females.

The cookie cutters are not all excellent IMO for tanks with a maximum chance of success.

Which is your favorite on the list? Remember fish that have different but colorful females are very often blue barred males with orange/yellow females and so maybe only one species like that.