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Okay, I recently purchaced an P. elongus (Slender Mbona) from a feeder tank, (it was 18 cents and pretty...) not knowing anything about it. After taking a week to identify it, I moved it from its one gal confinement (he was about half an inch at the time) and into my empty 46g. I want to put other fish in there.

This is what I am thinking:

1x P. Elongus (Proudly named "MOBO" )
3x Assorted African Chiclids (I found some small enough and that wont eat him)
and perhaps a common pleco?


He has grown a bit since he was moved to the 46g, and is now about 3/4 of an inch - 1". Very energetic, and since he was with the feeder guppies, I have reason to believe he was raised in captivity.

I would like to keep a variety of fish in there so any help on this would be great. Also if you know anywhere I can find additional info on Mobo then please let me know!

Thanks A bunch!!!

Inky

i dont see any big reason why he wouldnt work out in the 46g tank. that is a very small tank for african cichlids in my opinion. i wouldnt put more than 3 in there with him. it is a pretty aggressive fish though. you may find him very mean and/or aggressive to tankmates when he gets older. that is pretty much the case with most mbuna.
for more info on the fish go to cichlid-forum.com. check out their fish profiles under lake malawi mbuna.

Last edited by acei at 24-Jan-2006 17:48

I do not know a whole lot about the big cichlids but I can tell you that a common pleco will not work in a 46 gallon tank once he gets bigger. He would probably need a 55 gallon for himself they get VERY big. You should look for a smaller pleco maybe a clown or a lot of people like the bristlenose. I personally think they are freaky looking. Anyway, look into some other types of algae eaters before gettign a common pleco PLEASE!


Christina

Actually, comparing him to my new fish, I'd say he has more Zebra in him, but I honestly cant tell because he is still under an inch. After doing some considerations, this is what I am thinking:

1x fish? Likely an elongus, but could be a zebra
1x Albino Zebra

These two get along perfectly, no nipping or anything. Ive been watching carefully. I think I would like to add:

1x Jewel Chichlid
1x Ice Blue or Red Zebra?
1x Rapheal Catfish (good defence, kinda just sits there anyway from what Im told)


Would this work out?
Also what temp should I set the tank? Its been at 74 and they seem pretty lively, but I hear the need it to be about 78?

I may upgrade in a year or so. I dont think 4 would be over stocking thats over 10g per fish, going by the one inch per gal rule, that would be about 30 or so inches of fish when they are fully grown (Jewels 6, Mbunas about 5, and Cat 8)

Last edited by Inkling at 24-Jan-2006 21:46

Inky

that stocking scheme should work. i do have a couple concerns though. first, you should keep the water near 78. i keep mine at 77 and they like it. second, i would not get a common pleco. they get to large and create more gunk than they take care of. clown, bristlnose and rubber plecos are a lot better bets. i personally like bristlenose. they are the only real algae eating ones that i trust. third, i wouldnt get a jewel to put in with them. the water requirements are different than the malawi cichlids you have and very different temperments. other than that, i think you are on the right track.

Are there any Mawali Chichlids (mind My Spelling) that would look simular to a Jewel? What about a paradise fish?

Inky

as a general rule, you cannot put community fish in with malawi cichlids. the paradise fish will be killed. there are not too many compatible fish that you could keep with the mbuna. they are tough and way more territorial than you think. they will test other fish. if you put a community fish in the tank, the mbuna will give them a little nip or a chase. if the fish is too fast, they usually wont mess with them. if the fish is too slow, but a pushover, they will usually shred it. if it is slow and tough, they will battle it out. i have kept rainbowfish and giant danios with my cichlids with good results. but in your tank, i wouldnt recommend it. too small.

So should I just add mabey 2 more Zebras and the Rapheal Cat?

That would make my stock list look like this:
1x Slender Mbuna (he may turn out to be a Zebra, but Im 99% sure he isn't, unless he is a crossbreed of sorts)
3x Zebras or perhaps 2x Zebras and a Lemon, I havent decided yet.
1x Rapheal Catfish


I'd be fully stocked then wouldnt I?




Inky

that might work.with mbuna you never know. do you have a few rocks and hiding places for them? they like caves and rockwork to run around in and out of.

There are plenty of caves, they all look like wood because I didn't know I was getting Mbunas for until two or so weeks ago, and I spent $40+ decorating it already, and cant afford to redecorate it. They cant seem to tell the difference though.

Also, I wound up getting a Rubber-Lipped Pleco. I got an Ice-Blue Zebra, the only problum is that he is about 2" (My other fish are 1" and 1 1/2" They seem to be doing alright, mainly because some of the caves are rather tiny and the Ice Blue can't fit in there, that and they are rather speedy and tough (My Albino seems to be pretty tough) I think my Ice Blue is female, and that may be the reason its not very pushy?

Inky