How many mbuna is too many?

blue2fyre

blue2fyre

Blue Fish
Oct 7, 2008
4,440
3
0
43
Wisconsin
Real Name
Ashley
This question has been on my mind a lot lately. I added a second filter to my 55 gallon so now I am running an eheim 2028 and a cascade 1000. This give me plenty of filtration. In theory with more filtration I could add more fish. So I was asking at what point does it become too many mbuna?

Right now I have well over 20 in my tank. All but 2 are juveniles, many are babies. I plan on having 15 adults with a few syno petricola. My filtration should be enough to handle this load and theoretically more.

Of course before anyone jumps on my case I have no intentions of adding more fish, this is all hypothetical.
 
With being a Mbuna fancier, I feel there is no firm answer to your question. You will need to consider the adult size and environmental needs to answer effectively. Since there are in excess of 1000 different kinds of Mbuna it comes down to the species. Some can make do in as little as 5 gallons and some need no less than 70 gallons per fish.

You will need to be far more species specific to get an accurate answer. There are some where the recommended tank size is over-blown as well. Experience is the the best teacher as to what will work.

I kept 12 fry in a 20Long and they grew slowly. Right now I have 15 fry in a 5.5 and they have outgrown the tank in 1 month. For breeding I keep 6 in a 55 with no other fish and have successful/healthy broods.

Some Mbuna species will not mix so that has to be considered as well. Tough question to answer but a good one.
 
Hmm you bring up a great point. Lets say I wanted to fill my tank to the very top with yellow labs. A nice peaceful fish that doesn't get too large.

Or say I wanted to add the labs to my current stock which consists of white top haras, acei, Ob zebras and one demasoni. Would I be pushing the very limits of overstocking?

Some people say only keep 10-12 mbuna in a 55 gallon tank, I've read about others keeping 30. Where is the limit? You are right though there is no difinate answer lol.
 
I think around 20 is OK for a 55gal. But also, IMO you can add a few more; as long as you can keep the nitrates under control (no more than 20ppm).
 
Yeah I do 75% water changes weekly so my nitrates stay around 10. I haven't tested it since I added the new filter. Lol I said this was all hypothetical but now I find myself considering adding a trio of labs or this poor adult acei that's been at the petstore for months. The poor guys fins are shredded :(
 
I understand your intentions, blue. But be careful about possible case of fin rot or other illness in them!
 
The whole "magic number" confusion is caused by species sizes, dwarfs, regulars and large. For example having 15+ demasoni with 6 or so labs, or having just 4-5 acei with 4-5 labs.

Zebras given the time and right diet could get quiet large, on a number of occasions I've seen our lfs carry an 8" (-+) red zebras and greshakeis. Acei get good size as well.
 
i know this is sorta off topic but how many mbuna of the same species can you cram in a 30g with 550gph? cuz i love my psuedotropheus elongatus chailosi
 
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