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Almost cycled now, getting ideas for the perfct Mbuna tank.
Tank currently has 2 "Assorted" africans, one black, and one silvery that somwhat doesn't fit the typical Mbuna shape. (Don't worry.... no more stocking from assorted tanks at the LFS)
Two year old Mbuna to be added (currently in 30g) are two socolofi, one albino socolofi, one Featherfin Syno.

I want at least 2 yellow labs, and am open for ideas on how many more/what species to stock.

Socolofi are somewhat of a blue fish, see link... Looking for color diversity. http://www.cichliddepot.com/african/socolofi.php

Last edited by harleysiber at 27-Mar-2005 08:31

the first to do is try to get rid of the assorted mbunas. If you don't know what they're then it can be hard. It is also advised not to keep regular and albino socolofi's in the same tank. You should add more socolofi and try to get 1 male and at least 3 females. then you could add about 6 labs.

I've had the socolofi together for almost two years, and although the albino is the least dominant in the tank (and also the smallest), they seem to get along fine. My water conditions are not proper for breeding, the PH is only about 7.6, and I'm not too familiar on sexing mbunas except for the egg spots and of course Kenyi species. So I have no clue what the sexes of these fish are. Frankly, I think the people at the LFS may have less of a clue. I tend to keep my questions at the chain stores limited to availability, price, and questions on their tanks, except with a few select individuals.

Although I'd like to keep the tank more appealing, I really cannot return the assorted africans. My boyfriend has also grown too attached to give them up. I'll be able to deal with the temperments, since they are both much smaller than the very active socolofi.

I'm trying to get an appealing community with these two. I guess I have a thing for "ugly" fish, as my albino is hopelessly hunchbacked from newbie syndrome, but he's one of my favorites.

Last edited by harleysiber at 28-Mar-2005 17:29

Try to get some good pics of the assorteds and post them for people to see and help you figure out what they are.

2 female demasoni
2m/4f yellow labs
n ur albino n other 2 wood make a nice tank

OK, Finished stocking, although I'm still not sure what the two assorted guys are, here's the tank:

1 albino socolofi
2 red zebras
1 yellow lab.
1 featherfin syno.
2 socolofi-not in tank yet
1 black assorted Mbuna
1 weird assorted African- still haven't been able to get a good pic

I had 2 yellow labs, but the other was too small to eat anything I gave them and didn't make it. Otherwise, does this sound like a good setup, or should I change out the other lab?

well, what i'm concerned about is the synodontis being in there, for one things, he's a tang catfish, and the pH tween the lakes is quite a bit, 2nd off, synos like to be in larger groups, mine are in a group of 6 in my 55g, just thought i should tell u

Daka<<<<

the synos should be in a larger group but will be ok single also you can keep synos in malawi tank without any problem.

i think the bigger issue with this setup is going to be territory. There really is only 2 choices with Mbuna and thats very few in a tank or way over crowded. this setup goes in neither direction.

no fish should be going hungry even if its tiny. drop all the food in at once all over the tank so its impossible for any one fish to control the mass. looking for a feeding frenzy.

also keep a close eye on parameters they like nice clean water and cant handle to much of anything for long.

found -THIS- site while on my endless quest for info lol thought it might help you on as it talks about a low agression mbuna setup. not a bad read in any case.

this is the main site by the way if you wanna have a look see. lots of info on other topics.
Main link

Last edited by Sin in Style at 11-Apr-2005 09:32

Good read, Sin. It actually made me think more about what the heck that assorted one is. It almost has the Peacock face and jaw alignment with the mettalic color. It just has some big black spots along the lateral line area. Oh geesh... now to do more digging....

Daka, I've had no problem keeping my Syno with the socolofi in a 30 for almost two years now. Besides the occasional nip on the dorsal fin, he seems to hold his own. He actually has been chasing the new guys around the 55g while getting accustomed to it for the past few days.

So should I plan on stockimg more in the future? I was talking to the lady who orders the fish at one lfs and she told me from experience that Mbuna will tend to limit themselves to about eight in a 55g. I just wanted to be on the safer side. By over crowded, how many more would that entail?