Stocking list for Mbuna tank (60 Gallon)

[Alannahmay]

Hi all,
I think I have come close to narrowing down the fish I am wanting in my tank.

Electric yellow labs
Red Zebras
Snow white Socolofi
Venustus
Jewel cichlid
Ice blue zebra

Also, looking into how many I can stock of each,


and I wouldn't mind adding some Ob Peacocks, Really like the look of them

Im looking for some bright oranges and reds preferably aswell.


Any recommendations ?

 

[NeverFadeAway86]

you can do peacocks with some of the more peaceful mbuna, now the spines of peacocks are not as flexible so they do not need as much rock and would want more open swimming spaces

pretty much any of your zebras will possibly cross breed with yellow labs

Venustus can get up to 10 inches,which IMO will be to large for a fully stocked 60 gallon not to mention it may eat your smaller fish

I would say you can for sure do yellow labs with socolofi, I would say you could do 8 yellow lab and 8 socolofi, you may need to get more like 10-12 of each to start because you want to sex the fish and get the ratio of atleast 4 females for every male for any Mbuna species

 

[tanker]

Hate to say it, but with a 60gal, you will only be able to keep 2 species, or MAYBE 3.

1) The Venustus would grow too big for anything smaller then a 72" 100 gal.
2) The Ice Blue Zebra, and the Red Zebra may not get along.
3) The 2 Zebras will cross breed with the Yellow Lab.
4) The Jewel will not get along with all the other "Rift Lake" cichlids.
5) Peacocks are too passive with the Mbunas. They will get harassed.

Sorry.

 

[Alannahmay]

Guys your breaking my heart here

 

[tanker]

If it was me, I would just keep the first 3-- Electric yellow labs, Red Zebras, and Snow white Socolofi. Or maybe get the regular Socolofi (the blue ones).

I would try for 1M, and 4F, but the Labs and Zebras will probably still cross breed. If you buy them from Petco, ect it may not matter, because I do not think their fish are pure anyway.

 

[Alannahmay]

If it was me, I would just keep the first 3-- Electric yellow labs, Red Zebras, and Snow white Socolofi. Or maybe get the regular Socolofi (the blue ones).

I would try for 1M, and 4F, but the Labs and Zebras will probably still cross breed. If you buy them from Petco, ect it may not matter, because I do not think their fish are pure anyway.

Hmmmm, what if i was too go for haps and peacocks? Any recommendations?

 

[tanker]

IMO, a 60gal is too small for any Haps, and very few Peacocks. You can try these, which are smaller 5+ inches and just go for an all male tank.

Aulonocara "German Red"
Aulonocara stuartgranti (Usisya)
Aulonocara Benga Peacock
Aulonocara Maulana Bicolour
Aulonocara kandeense

I would only get males because 1) the females are very plain 2) all the females look alike 3) they will all cross breed.

You may be able to put a group yellow labs in with them for more color.
Even with all your planning, a 60gal is very small for Rift Lake Cichlids.

PS---I have never kept a tank of Hap and Peacocks. I have only kept a few Peacocks before.