I am starting my first african tank. It is a 55 gallon tank with crushed coral and dolomite for the substrate. I have several large rock formations, some texas holey rock, clay pots, and a brick in it. The tank has been running for over a year and is fully cycled, I just converted it to meet the need of the african cichlids. The pH of the water is naturally high so I have no worries there. Right now the tank contains 2- Johanni, 2- Zebras, 2- Auratus, 1- socolofi (might be spell ed wrong, I always the the sylables wrong in that one), and 1- Perlmutt. All of these fish are only 1-2 inches in length. I am having no problem with any of the fish being over aggressive. Does anyone have any suggestions on what other types of mbunas I could add? I was thinking that a pair of electric yellows would look nice.
55 Gallon Mbuna Tank
- Thread starter PredatorFish
- Start date
Hi PredatorFish,
Sounds like a nice set-up you have there. I would consider getting rid of the Melanochromis auratus. They are a very aggressive fish and would probably do better in a larger aquarium. Furthermore they pose a risk for hybridization with the Melanochromis johanii.
I would stick with the species you already have and simply add more and preferably females if you are able to. You should ideally strive for at least 3 females for each male in order to minimize the aggression of any one male towards a single female.
Two males of these species may not coexist in a 55 gallon. The auratus if male will certainly kill any other male.
Labidochromis perlmutt poses a risk for hybridization with Labidochromis caeruleus (electric yellow).
These fish are still young and really won't show their true colors until they show their true colors so to speak. Once they begin to take on adult coloration at around 2-3", then you'll see some personality. Kinda like teenagers.
Pseudotropheus saulosi are nice looking fish also. The Iodotropheus sprengerae would also provide a nice contrast to some of the colours you will have in your tank.
Sounds like a nice set-up you have there. I would consider getting rid of the Melanochromis auratus. They are a very aggressive fish and would probably do better in a larger aquarium. Furthermore they pose a risk for hybridization with the Melanochromis johanii.
I would stick with the species you already have and simply add more and preferably females if you are able to. You should ideally strive for at least 3 females for each male in order to minimize the aggression of any one male towards a single female.
Two males of these species may not coexist in a 55 gallon. The auratus if male will certainly kill any other male.
Labidochromis perlmutt poses a risk for hybridization with Labidochromis caeruleus (electric yellow).
These fish are still young and really won't show their true colors until they show their true colors so to speak. Once they begin to take on adult coloration at around 2-3", then you'll see some personality. Kinda like teenagers.
Pseudotropheus saulosi are nice looking fish also. The Iodotropheus sprengerae would also provide a nice contrast to some of the colours you will have in your tank.
Thank you for your suggestions. I am having a hard time finding females. Almost all of the fish I am seeing at the lfs are male. I think that one of the auratus is a male, haven't had any aggression problems with him, the female auratus is a little more aggressive. Would the auratus hybridize with the johanni if I have a male and female of each? If I start having problems with any of the fish I will take them out right away. The fish are really fun to watch. I think it is the closest you could come to a reef tank with out all of the work and super expensive fish.
i think some labidichromis caeruleus (electric yellow) would look nice in that setup...i would try for 1m/2f...i have 3 in my 135 and they are eye catchers