How many? yellow lab/demasoni in 47 tall

[blue2fyre]

Lab brings up a good pount about these being your first experiences with mbuna.

So on to other options! I think a pair of small dwarf cichlids would be neat. A pair of curviceps, rainbow cichlids, or rams would be perfect. For the upper part of the tank I find endlers to be awesome. But some sort of small tetras in like embers them maybe some bottom feeders like small cories.

 

[stripe157]

I've been dreaming about it for awhile now but I am downgrading tanks not adding more!

Me too! But as we all know, this would be super in involved to initially set up. I looked into these types of setups while trying to decide what to do with a 30" tall tank. I decided to start slow, and just fill it all the way up! Now, I'm in a graduate program, and will have NO time to do that for the foreseeable future ... Actually, I shouldn't even be here now :/

 

[fish-n-chips]

The tetras would be ok, also some pencilfish might work. The habrosus cories stay an inch or so, and mine use every square inch of my tank.

 

[Lab_Rat]

A shellie/riparium tank....... that does sound interesting too.

I did that for a while, until my grow out fish needed the tank to be full due to their size.

 

[stripe157]

Lab brings up a good pount about these being your first experiences with mbuna.

So on to other options! I think a pair of small dwarf cichlids would be neat. A pair of curviceps, rainbow cichlids, or rams would be perfect. For the upper part of the tank I find endlers to be awesome. But some sort of small tetras in like embers them maybe some bottom feeders like small cories.

Rams have always interested me, those are beautiful fish. I'm not familiar with curvicepts though. Tetras I love... if they'll show themselves.

What do you mean by this: "But some sort of small tetras in like embers them"

 

[blue2fyre]

I meant to type "and" some sort of tetras like Ember tetras.

 

[stripe157]

Rainbow Cichlids are new to me also. I like their less 'flamboyant' look compare to the rams.

 

[blue2fyre]

I have a pair of rainbow cichlids and they are pretty neat. I keep mine with endlers and cories and they don't bother either.

 

[stripe157]

I meant to type "and" some sort of tetras like Ember tetras.

OK, so I imagine something like this: endlers or ember tetras for the top, one pair of rainbow cichlids for the middle, and some cories to cruise around on the bottom.

That would be very efficient use of the space.

 

[stripe157]

Thanks! You've all given me a lot to think about. I'll have to ponder over this thread for quite a while before I decide on anything.

I'm really relieved to discover that cichlids other than mbuna's are still an option. I'll go check out a pair of rainbows as soon as I get a chance. The chain stores here have few options, but suprisingly, healthier fish than the private stores.

For now though I gotta get back to work, Thanks again for all the suggestions/time everyone contributed. I'll be checking back often to see what else we can come up with.
Thanks again!