I have a 35 gallon tank that I would like to put cichlids in. I don't know much about mbunas but would it be feasible to house a few in a 35 gallon tank and if so what would be recommended? I also have a common pleco, would he be okay in the 35 gallon tank? Thanks for any advice.
35 gallon stocking question.
- Thread starter dallen
- Start date
First off, you need to seek out a club in your area. Texas is FULL of cichlid clubs so depending on where you're at.... there is the Texas Cichlid Association (spread out but mostly DFW area), Hill country cichlid association (around SAT, Austin) and I believe there are some more.
as for Mbuna in the 35, I personally (without experience) think you could put maybe a half dozen in there. One thing about mbuna's is they are aggressive towards eachother so you need a group to spread out the aggression to keep one from killing the other. many mbuna have special dietary needs so be sure and read about those before making any purchases. the "mixed" or "assorted africans" tanks are normally the easier ones to keep without as much special needs but sometimes others will get mixed in.
Pleco, for awhile. I've got one approaching 9 inches in a 36 that will likely need a new home in the next year or two. I'm sure I'll get a fight out of my wife when this happens as it is one of her favorite fish. Kyle
as for Mbuna in the 35, I personally (without experience) think you could put maybe a half dozen in there. One thing about mbuna's is they are aggressive towards eachother so you need a group to spread out the aggression to keep one from killing the other. many mbuna have special dietary needs so be sure and read about those before making any purchases. the "mixed" or "assorted africans" tanks are normally the easier ones to keep without as much special needs but sometimes others will get mixed in.
Pleco, for awhile. I've got one approaching 9 inches in a 36 that will likely need a new home in the next year or two. I'm sure I'll get a fight out of my wife when this happens as it is one of her favorite fish. Kyle
Kyle,
Thanks for the advice. I'm leaning towards some less aggressive mbunas like the yellow labs, and maybe Acei and or Rusties. The common pleco has been in a tank with a lower pH around 6.8 or so. If I dump him in the tank with a pH of 8.0 or so is that going to stress him out too much?
Thanks for the advice. I'm leaning towards some less aggressive mbunas like the yellow labs, and maybe Acei and or Rusties. The common pleco has been in a tank with a lower pH around 6.8 or so. If I dump him in the tank with a pH of 8.0 or so is that going to stress him out too much?
dallen said:
Your mbuna choices for a tank that small would be good....although a lot of people keep plecs with africans with no problems, I would not put the plec with them...he will get too big for the tank...and is a poop machine...get a couple smaller synodontis cats for clean up...