I'm almost ready to stock my new 75 gallon Malawi tank. I really like mbunas but would like to choose the least aggessive of them that I can. I've read that Yellow Labs, Acei's and Rusty's are relatively laid back. Any other suggestions for mbunas that are are comparatively peaceful? Thanks.
Least aggressive mbunas?
- Thread starter JimZi
- Start date
Those species you mentioned are typically less aggressive than other mbuna, although there are exceptions (for example, in my tank my yellow labs are more aggressive than my zebras). Aggression can vary between individual fish and set ups.
You can probably minimize aggression with a variety of other mbuna species by: having more females per species than males (1male per 2 to 3 females); not understocking; and by getting them all at the same time while they are young so that the hierarchy is established by the time they are matured.
You may want to refrain from getting kenyi, auratus, and chipokae.
Sometimes balances can be achieved in certain set ups. For example I have a feeling my socolofi's would be 'bullies' if I didn't have my red zebras to keep them 'in check' (meanwhile my red zebras, while highly dominant, are fairly peaceful and seem motivated to keep the peace).
You can probably minimize aggression with a variety of other mbuna species by: having more females per species than males (1male per 2 to 3 females); not understocking; and by getting them all at the same time while they are young so that the hierarchy is established by the time they are matured.
You may want to refrain from getting kenyi, auratus, and chipokae.
Sometimes balances can be achieved in certain set ups. For example I have a feeling my socolofi's would be 'bullies' if I didn't have my red zebras to keep them 'in check' (meanwhile my red zebras, while highly dominant, are fairly peaceful and seem motivated to keep the peace).
I tried to go with the some of the least aggressive ones, no problems so far.
Labidochromis Caeruleus
Metriaclima Callainos
Metriaclima Estherae
Labidochromis Caeruleus
Metriaclima Callainos
Metriaclima Estherae