Mbuna Cichlids, would this work?

[paradigmcubed]

I have a 20 gallong tank and I was looking on Aquaria Central's forums trying to find suitable cichlids. I want to know whether I could put a pair of Slender Mbuna's and Saulosi Mbuna 's in it. Is this way to much? I read on Aquaria Central's site the recommended tank size was 15 gallons. Thanks for the input!

[ChilDawg]

For only one of the species, that would be the bare minimum. I'd go with Tanganyikans in a tank that small--search for "shellies," and you'll find a whole host of links.

[paradigmcubed]

So, you would advise against having just one pair of say the salousi's? I just find them to be so interesting...

[ChilDawg]

I certainly would, and many others on the forum would agree with me, but if you can find someone who has done it successfully and is willing to talk you through the process, be my guest.

[paradigmcubed]

Thanks you for the advice, I guess I won't go with the Salousi's. Instead I'll try to find some shellie's like you suggested or maybe some other sort of Dwarf Cichlid.

[ChilDawg]

Hey, no prob. It's what I try to do here. :)

[paradigmcubed]

Say I did want to sometime get some Salousis', what size tank would I need for a pair of them?

[ChilDawg]

http://www.bigskycichlids.com/Psaulosi_article.htm

30 for maturing fish, 40 for mature fish.

[valerie]

with Mbuna you can't (or shouldn't) get jsut a pair. You need atleast 2-3females per male. Otherwise the male will pick on the females. Mbuna are quite aggresive(there are exceptions like yellow labs, and rusties) but for the most part they are all more aggresive then regualr fish.

I would also not put any mbuna(saulosi included even though they are dwarf mbuna) because its jsut not a big enough tank. for most malawi cichlids i would recommend startign in nothign smaller then a 40gal or 55g would be better.

For a 20gal i would recommend tang. shell dwellers.They are small so you could keep a good colony in a 20gal.Plus they have interesting breeding behaviour.