Which Mbuna?

[LewisUK2008]

I have a 30 gallon tank and was wondering whic, if any Mbuna's can go in there. If so which ones and how many? Thanks

[blue2fyre]

I would think you could set up a single species tank. I would pick a species that doesn't get too big and isn't super aggressive like yellow labs. I think 4-5 labs (1 male, 3-4 females) would do well in a 30 gallon.

[efors]

I have seen a 30gal with a dozen Pseudotropheus saulosi; a dwarf mbuna. It looked great and with no problems at all. The advantage of this species is that you have 2 colors at once: males are blue with dark bars and females are bright yellow. And yes, a 30gal should be a one species mbuna tank, IMO; or maybe for 6 yellow labs and 6 rusties (I. sprengerae). Don't forget a lot of rocks.

[Pittbull]

I agree with efors the saulosi would be the best way to go in a 30gal, rock out the tank for optimum hiding spots so when a male gets over zealous the females will have a place for retreat, also aragonite would be sweet for a substrate.. good luck buddy..

[blue2fyre]

Great Idea! I didn't even think of saulosi. I think that would be a perfect 30 gallon set up

[mike dunagan]

Demasoni are also dwarf and a choice, but the Salousi Option are what I would suggest first!

[Pittbull]

Yep the demasoni are sweet for sure and i had about 8 demas's in a 30gal long once and worked out smoothly plus i had rocked out heavily along with sand as a substrate, i miss that setup in which case i donated it to my daughters school..

[blue2fyre]

I would be careful with demasoni. They are a dwarf species and look really good but I have heard a lot of problems with keeping them in a 30 gallon. Usually they end up killing each other off until you have one. I have always heard keep 12+ or keep one when it comes to demasoni and I have researched them a lot (they're one of my favorites). It seems as though the set up worked for pittbull though. I guess if given the right set up it could work, but it could also be a head ache.

[Coler]

Another vote for saulosi. They're probably the only ones I'd do in a 30 - interested to hear that Pitbull has kept demasoni like this as well though. The great thing about the saulosi as has been said is that you get two colourations. Say maybe 2 males, 6 females would leave you some room to have some fry grow out.

I think labs & rusties would be a little tight, not so much on aggression but just on space for the labs.

[LewisUK2008]

Im really up for the saulosi idea but being in the uk i dont know where i could get some from.. Does anyone have any ideas where i would be able to get some?

[Pittbull]

Yep i am one who will try a setup even if everyone says no dont do it because it wont work i will still do it and the great thing about fish is not every time will a setup go a foul as for me i had them on short term basis but it did work with a few scuffles in and about the time frame i kept them, i got them as juvies never really got them to adulthood so i should have said when i kept them they were ok but i didnt keep them long term.

I had several photos of them at one time here is a bad photograph of one when i had them i guess the others were on my other hard drive on a spare computer unfortunately i lost a lot of fish photos, i had tons of cutteri, brasiliensis, firemouths and my fave photo of the demasoni dismantling a blue crayfish..


sorta blurry..

74800