Stocking problem (mbuna cichlids)

[Fishfriendz2]

Hi!

I have a 30 gallon aquarium (EMPTY:dive2: ) and I was wondering what kind of mbuna cichlids I can put into it?
:help:

 

[jpappy789]

Very few. If anything, it would have to be a breeding harem (1m:2-3f) of a smaller, less aggressive species. Unfortunately I don't have a specific species for you.

 

[Pittbull]

Afra Jalo reefs in a small colony would look sweet or a group of Saulosi 1M/3F with a sand substrate and a few rock piles..

Afra Jalo Reefs - Cynotilapia afra (Jalo Reef) http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1733

Saulosi - Pseudotropheus saulosi http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1

One of these two species should work in this setup as long as you get the right male to female ratios correct and aquascape accordingly.. hope this helps..

 

[AfroCichlid]

Personally I wouldn't. 30 gallons is too small for most Mbuna; it's likely you'll end up with Gladiator Tank Syndrome and one fish in the end. I suppose it could be done with the smaller, less aggressive Mbuna, such as Pittbull mentions. I agree with 1 male to 3 female ratio... it would be necessary to keep the male from harrassing one particular female to death.

55 gallons is usually the smallest footprint you'd be advised to use for Mbuna.

 

[yhbae]

What size is the tank? Is that the one with 36/12 base?

If that is the case, I did have a 33g tank (with 36/12 base) holding 5 x P Acei and 3 x Yellow Labs. 2 Acei males and 1 Yellow Lab male. Both species are tame and I never had aggression problems. They were all introduced as frys and reached sexual maturity and gave me lots of frys too. I believe I kept this configuration for about 2.5 years.

As Pitt mentioned, Saulosi would work, and as would Rusty (I never liked this species though). These are all super peaceful for mbunas.

 

[efors]

As Pitt mentioned, Saulosi would work, and as would Rusty (I never liked this species though). These are all super peaceful for mbunas.

:iagree:. One of these 2 species can work nicely in a 30gal colony tank; having 12 fishes of the one species that you like the most and plenty of rockwork. IMO, Pseudotropheus saulosi is the perfect species for this setup. I have seen it in a 30g with 3 saulosi males and 9 females and it was working great. Also, with this species you have the advantage of having 2 different colors at once: blue and black males and bright yellow females; both are lovely.

 

[mostlycichlids]

Personally I wouldnt put Mbuna in anything less than a four foot tank.

 

[efors]

Afra Jalo reefs in a small colony would look sweet.

Afra Jalo Reefs - Cynotilapia afra (Jalo Reef) http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1733

I forgot to say that I also agree with Pittbull with this other species as a nice possibility for a 30gal colony tank; the same way I would stock in there saulosis or rusties (Iodotropheus sprengerae): 3 males and 9 females of any one of these 3 species. Of course, Ps. saulosi is the perfect one for me.
Also, maybe I'm wrong; but I think Pittbull has said that he had a 30gal or a similar 3 feet tank wth a dozen or so Ps. demasoni, that worked nicely for him during a few years. Is that correct, Pitt?

 

[Pittbull]

Yep and my old computer is where my footage was but unfortunately my daughter destroyed that computer and i wasn't able to download any photos off it before it went out, but i had a small juvie group in a 30gal long before and worked nicely..

and i may do this in my 20gal long to just prove a point to folk.. hehehe..

 

[efors]

I was doing some research for Ps. demasoni and found something new for me. The demasoni from Pombo Rocks grows up to 4 inches and the one from Mozambique grows up to only 2.5 inches. What about this last one little fellow for small tanks?