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I have a 30 gal with 3 adult Socolofi, and they're big, real big. I am planning on moving them to my new 55g when it's done cycling, but am having a hard time with my stocking ideas. Currently, there are 2 "Assorted" africans in the 55g (LFS only carries big guys in asst tanks).

I love yellow labs, but the babies are so small at the store that I don't know if they'll be lunch to the big guys (one socolofi in particular is a bit over five inches). Anyone have any experience with this situation? What are my options for stocking other than hope the LFS has some nice "Assorted" adults? I've already asked all stores in my area about special ordering, but that's a no-go.

You can for sure mix your big one's and some new smaller ones.
A well feed Mbuna has no real interest in eating a little guy, as well their shouldn't be any aggression prolems right off as the big won't see the little guys as a threat.

I'd go with lower aggression species, Lab. C., Acei, Most Afra species although some variants are more nasty then others....Saulosi.
I would definately not add any more Socolofi, unless the new are 3" min.

Other than that you really just setting up a new tank. Every thing is new to all the fish, so they'll work it out themselves.
Add them all at once, the more new guys the better it will go. But I've never had a single issue and I've tried this many times

i havent had any trouble with this either. beleive it or not,fish are lazy and will only work so hard for a meal. if they know mealtime is a short time away, they wont even look at the little guys.

Great news!!! I've been drooling over the yellow labs at the store. Should I try to get three or four labs to keep the Socolofi confused? As much as I love my Socolofi, I don't think I could add any more to the mix without the tank getting a bit boring.

So.... now that I have that established.... more species to think about. I guess that just means I'll have to spend more time at the LFS..... oh no...not that../:'

What about a Cynotilapia. Afra variant?

Never heard of them, is there pics available in the profiles section? I'm open to anything, the only fear I have now is getting a special order and it getting sick.

Lucky me bumped into the lady who orders all livestock at a great specialty shop by work today who tells me she can get me just about anything with a week's notice.

So I'm definately thinking yellow labs, 2, with the 2 socolofi, the albino socolofi, and the 2 "assorted" adults I currently have. That leave me with enough for 2-3 more. What other species can give me more color diversity?

Just flipped through the Afra profile. Absolutely gorgeous fish. Is the yellow fin indicative of male/female?

If I recall correctly, the yellow dorsal fin is indicative that the fish are members of the 'eduardi' colour morph. Which are usually more expensive than 'vanilla' Cynotilapia afra.

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Great. Thanks, Calilasseia. That's what I love about Mbunas... the same species can look totally different.

Should I take any extra precaution if I special order? I asked about quarantine time, but the lady told me she doesn't quarantine cichlids, with the exception of discus. She gets them from reputable breeders in California and has rarely had any problems with disease. She will quarantine other fish for ten days that are e to carrying disease, such as guppies and neons. Should I quarantine at home?

Better safe than sorry, especially if they turn out to be an expensive purchase. Nothing worse than blowing $100+ on sky-high desirable fish for your aquarium, only to experience a wipeout because they were carrying something latent, that exploded into life in your aquarium that wiped out the new purchases and the established residents.

Even if the provenance is excellent, it pays to exercise caution. Even the best breeders can suffer from the occasional bad batch.

Mind you, if you don't already have a quarantine tank, expect some finger wagging from Cory_Di and several others



Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Funny thing about quarantine tanks.... every time I get one to use as a QT, it turns into a new home for fish. Although a small 3g in the bathroom would look nice, I'm sure I'd end up with a betta in there.

The yellow dorsal is characteristic of several Afra variants, in which the Edwardi is included....

There kinda eay to come by here, funny how its so diverse from place to place
And i say definately quarintine at home, as stated better safe then sorry

Last edited by mr_cichlid at 27-Mar-2005 20:55

So what size is a good QT for juveniles? The last thing I need is another 10g, as I already have two. A 5g might even be too big for the bathroom. I'm thinking a 3g, but I'm jus not sure if that's too small. But to keep it cycled (if you can with that much of a small tank), I know I'll be using live plants. I just can't stand the look of a bare tank, and live plants make any tank look good.

10g, a perfect size......
and i know what ya mean about bare bottoms, but for quarintine. Just fish and water