dredd0606 Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 So, my wife saw my beautiful mbuna tank at work (12 demasonis, 8 yellow labs), and she wants me to do out 29G at home with cichlids. She wants a lot of color though. I am at a total loss...29G is so small! Any ideas? - Dredd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnaw Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 (edited) When I got into the cichlid hobby I had to learn the hard-way. My largest tank, currently, is a 21 gallon and when I first start I had four cichlids which fought a lot! I removed one and found that the alpha would pick-on the remaining, more-docile fish. So I ended up moving him into his own 10gallon tank. I would like to suggest though that you start-off slowly adding fish and closely monitor their behavior with one another. As for the selection of colorful fish that option is really up to you. Where you thinking of having an all-male tank? Edited March 1, 2009 by Gnaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soliver Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 I wouldn't suggest it but you can get smaller dwarf cichlids that might be ok in a 29 gallon. I wouldn't go with a mbuna tank since they have a dendancy to be very aggressive. There are alwasy exceptions to every rule. So i give it a try and see what happens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingin' It Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 A couple of years ago I started a Mbuna tank, but my tank as a long 45Gallon, and I was able to keep about 25 fish in there until recently when I decided to switch it to Tangs. Before though, I kept Yellow Labs, Saulosi, Elongatus, Ndumbi, and probably some other, I just have a bad memory...the biggest problems came about when they all started breeding and competing. I can't say i'd suggest it, but like someone else said, try it and find out what happens. Or you could go for some colorful dwarf rainbows and a bunch of other similar? Good luck anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingin' It Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 A couple of years ago I started a Mbuna tank, but my tank as a long 45Gallon, and I was able to keep about 25 fish in there until recently when I decided to switch it to Tangs. Before though, I kept Yellow Labs, Saulosi, Elongatus, Ndumbi, and probably some other, I just have a bad memory...the biggest problems came about when they all started breeding and competing. I can't say i'd suggest it, but like someone else said, try it and find out what happens. Or you could go for some colorful dwarf rainbows and a bunch of other similar? Good luck anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qattarra Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Have you shown her Patrick's vics? You may be able to set up a nice group and she'll also get colors that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 If it's a 3' tank then you can have either 10 Haplochromis sp. "ruby green" or 10 Paralabidochromis sp. "redfin piebald". You could possibly mix the two species as well, keeping two smaller groups with one male in each. In larger groups the male/female ratio is less important. If it's a 2' tall tank then maybe a small group of ruby green and then some other fish for the upper layer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dredd0606 Posted March 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Patrick, Would these fish that you mentioned do well with plants, or are they plant eaters? I have java fern and jungle val in the tank right now. Also, could I do an all male tank to get the most color, or will the sub-dominant males color like females? - Dredd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kem Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 You can also keep a small group of the more peaceful Malawi cichlids like Labidochromis or Iodotropheus sprengeraes (Rusty cichlid). I've kept Kimpuma Labs in a 25G for a few years without problems (except excessive breeding ). Another option is to keep just males but from different species: you'll have a variety of colors without too much aggressivity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dredd0606 Posted March 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Thanks everyone. In this particular tank, I think going with all males is going to give me the best coloration. Should I go with 1 male per species, or 2? Also, is there a list somewhere of dwarf cichlids with pictures? Thanks again! Dredd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digital-monk Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Thanks everyone. In this particular tank, I think going with all males is going to give me the best coloration. Should I go with 1 male per species, or 2? Also, is there a list somewhere of dwarf cichlids with pictures? Thanks again!Dredd 1 male, if you have 2 they'll likely compete. Check out this for more info: http://cichlid-forum.com/articles/all-male_malawi.php Here's some dwarf's that are common, that you might want to investigate: Demasoni Cynotilapia afra Metriaclima sp. "Msobo" Pseudotropheus saulosi Pseudotropheus Polit Iodotropheus sprengerae Melanochromis cyano. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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