dither fish suggestions for a Mbuna tank

[rdmpe]

Howdy,

I have a 55g with 11 various Mbuna including labs, zebras, demasoni, cobalts. A couple are 3" to 4", most are 2" to 3" and maybe 2 or 3 at 1.2". Bought some at different times and some feed better but they are all making progress and feeding. I've had them all together for about 2 months and no deaths, minimal aggression. The tank has LOTS of limestone rock with LOTS of caves and crevices.

My problem is that they are pretty shy and tend to dissappear into the rocks when I get within 6' or 8' of the tank (until the realize it's FEEDING TIME !!! LOL)

So I'm wondering what is a good small cheap dither fish. I was thinking of a group of neons ? I can get small ones for $0.49 at an lfs. But if they all get eaten in two days, then they aren't so cheap! I want something fairly small because I don't want to distract from the cichlids (visually).

Thanks,
Randy

[scholar]

I would not add any fish. However, i would feed them twice a day for 1/2 minute each. they will aapreciate you well in no harry. :)

[rdmpe]

I've been feeding them every day before work and after work. That brings them out, but only while feeding. Then it's back to hiding in the rocks!

[dbcb314]

you shouldnt need one

[scholar]

If you feed them 1/2 minute twice a day. They are getting enough food. And they will be hungry and comming up for food. :)

The key is 1/2 minute. If 1/2 minute does not work. There is something else out of balance. As stated on the previous post. Dithers should not beneeded.

Then please list the size and the kind of fish you have, and the water change regiment.

[JSchmidt]

Mbunas are rock fish, and they hide when they feel threatened or not secure. They should acclimate to you and stop hiding eventually. Mine will stay out if I'm puttering around the tanks, but will hide when a "stranger" (to them) comes around. This is true of my office tanks as well as those at home. I don't think dithers will make a big difference...

Good luck,
Jim

[ChilDawg]

Neons aren't good for the liquid rock that Mbuna seem to need...I would suggest Rainbowfish, if anything, but I concur with the idea that you do not need dithers.

[mogurnda]

You might wait a bit, but barbs will work. Tigers, black rubys, rosies (not long fin). Hardy, outgoing, fast, pretty. At least 5.

[rdmpe]

I'm not patient enough to wait. I put 6 small tiger barbs in. They are doing fine, the cichlids seem very interested in them but really only watch them. The cichlids haven't really chased the barbs, and the barbs are pretty cautious (for tiger barbs anyway) around the cichlids. Definitely added another aspect to the tank and has made the cichlids more visible and less prone to hiding. They actually provide an interesting contrast to the cichlids since the barbs tend to travel around the open areas of the tank in their little group.

[sunnygirl]

my mbunas acclimated to me within a week. they always hide whenever someone besides me or my 4 year old daughter comes around. but since i put a new mbuna in theyre all hiding again everytime they see any kind of movement. could it be a result of moving around all the landscapeing? not sure. the tiger barbs sound like a good idea, i might try that myself. but i wouldnt use rosies as they require slightly acidic water. they are very sensitive to high ph levels.