[fuzzface]

Hi everyone, have just got back into the cichlid keeping world

Picked up 10 metriaclima zebra mpanga today at an auction what would be good tankmates for these in a 4x2x2

I was thinking of electric yellows but I don't know what else

Thanks fuzz.

 

[cichlidaholic]

I think Yellow labs would be great.

Are these adults or young ones? Do you plan to keep them all, or weed out some as they mature?

Kim

 

[fuzzface]

Yeh they are all young, just starting to colour up. I'm going to see how they go before I woory about culling any. i will be getting some yellow labs but what else should I be looking at to put in with them.

Is that a Metriaclima callainos in your avatar, how would something like that go, or would the zebas pick on them too much

thanks

 

[cichlidaholic]

The problem with mixing your zebra variants is that they all have pretty much the same temperament, and can crossbreed. I've had better results mixing non barred zebras with barred zebras, but I still don't trust the spawns if I have an overly aggressive male from either group.

Yes, that's a callainos (Cobalt) in my avatar...My favourite zebra!

Any chance you can post a pic of the Mpangas?

Kim

 

[fuzzface]

Heres a photo, I got 10 of these for 12 bucks so pretty good deal. This is the only one showing decent colour.

what sort of fish would i be looking at for non barred zebras

sorry about the photo quality, taken on phone

 

[cichlidaholic]

I wouldn't keep any other zebras in with them, but others might.

I think the aggression level would be pretty intense, and if you plan on breeding at all, it's a pretty big risk, IMO.

Kim

 

[MalawiLover]

If you are looking for a blue fish, you might want to consider Ps. socolofi. They can hold their own with zebra aggression and would be much less likely to cross with them. They are also relatively easy to find.

 

[fuzzface]

Ok I think I have made up my mind. It will be Mpanga, Yellow Lab and Ps socolofi.

Do you think that this mix will work ok. How many of each, the tank is 48x18x20

Thanks :thumb:

 

[Dewdrop]

Sorry I can't help with the numbers. Will let someone with more experience do that lol. I just wanted to tell you that I think the one coloring up is beautiful and for a pic taken with a phone, it's a great pic! Better than most of mine taken with a pretty good camera lol.

 

[fuzzface]

I've just moved them to a new tank, he has lost his colour a bit hopefully he settles in soon,
Whats the fish in your avatar?

 

[fuzzface]

How would Melanochromis maingano go with the other fish I was thinking of.