Reading purpleangel's threads, I have a new Q

efors

efors

AC Members
Jun 17, 2008
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San Juan, Puerto Rico
Hi everybody!
The question is:
Aren't there a few (at least 3) mbuna species that you can mix together in a 55 gal tank, having a small group (6 or 7) of each species without having to worry about the male/female ratio of these species?
Thanks in advance!
 
You mean keep several males ? Not really, at least not without aggression problems...basically, your typical mbuna male will go a bit more nutso at anything that looks like him than he will at anything else, and same species aggression is worse than anything else.

So, more than one male = problems.

The ideal stocking mix in a 55 involves 1 male and 2 or 3 females of each, so that the male has something to occupy his mind with other than behaving like part of a stag party at closing time in a honky tonk bar.

Otherwise, stock all male, one of each species, avoid similar colourations, be prepared to move out problem fish.
 
What do you think about stocking in a 55g the following 3 mbuna species?
Pseudotropheus acei "Msuli" (yellow tail acei)
Labidochromis caeruleus (yellow lab)
Iodotropheus sprengerae (rusty)
 
I really like that stock plan - I would add one more group of say Pseudotropheus Socolofi Albino...say 3 or 4 of each fish....would be lovely tank.
 
Thanks for your help!
Any other suggestion for this stock plan?
What about filtration and substrate?
 
Substrate - crushed coral is great, if you want pale. Black tahitian moon sand is good if you like that look. Or just play sand. Personally I have coral and I really like it.

Filtration - couple of good cannister filters; they are messy fish and require to be overstocked.

Other fish - if you like you can have synodontis catfish...multipunctatus are great and do fine with Africans (they're from Lake Tanganyika so well suited to the rift lake attitude)...Try 1 or 3...they can be territorial and in a pair the weaker will be beaten around.
 
To ibr3ak: Thanks for your opinion!
To Coler: Thanks a lot for your wonderful help!
I have one last question:
Is Ps. Socolofi albino less aggressive than the blue Socolofi?
Thanks again!
 
The albino's temperament should be the same as regular socolofis, although in my experience albinos have been little on a sissy side, getting beat up and hiding alot, BUT if you do go with the stocklist you posted above you should in theory be fine (I have more aggressive species in my tank, is maybe the reason for aggression).
 
You're most welcome :) All we demand in return is pics pics pics :D

^ exactly what Ib3ak said re albinos - if anything a little bit less aggro. In your set up they would be a very nice addition...the albino socolofi have a lovely luminescent sheen to them; very attractive fish.
 
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