stocking question

G

grays

AC Members
May 7, 2009
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Hello people it has been awhile since I posted on here but I wanted to get your thoughts on how many mbuna should be stocked in a 55gallon tank? Right now I have 9 and they are really chilled. Im thinking of adding some Metriaclima sp. "dolphin" if my lfs has them. How many would be wise to add?

Right now ive got
4 red zebra
2 yellow labs
1 blue johnniii
1 albino scollii ( dont know the spelling )
1 cobalt blue zerba
 
The best way to stock a 55 gallon mbuna tank is to pick 3 species and get 5 of each. The best gender ratio is 1 male per 4 females. Throw in a few synos and you are set. This is one of the best ways to avoid a full out war down the road. From your list I would stick with the albino socolfi, blue johannis, and either ed zebras or cobalt zebras depending on which color you liked more. They are all about the same aggression level though the zebras might end up being a handful down the road. I have found cobalts to be a little less aggressive than the reds.
The yellow labs and Metriaclima sp. "dolphin" will be too passive and might end up getting a beating. If you want a less aggressive set up I would do yellow labs, rusties and acei. This is a more peaceful mix and pretty much guaranteed to work. As you mix more aggressive species there is a chance that it will not work out.
Once your current fish hit maturity all bets are off. In an understocked 55 gallon there could end up being deaths.
 
About how long does it take for these fish to become mature? I have had this current stock for almost a year now. They are pretty big now lol :P. Also im trying to avoid the tank being understocked I can tell the reds are the most aggresive at the moment but the labs seem to keep them chilled.
 
I think the added Zebras would fit the aggression level in this tank just fine but make sure whatever you add that it is big enough to handle the aggression.. Also be weary of cross breeding..
 
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