There are more than two hundred species of
mbuna cichlid
. They grow to a maximum length between three inches and six inches, depending on the species. In general, they have oval bodies with pointed snouts and tend to be slightly smaller than other types of
african cichlids
.
How can you tell Mbuna cichlids?
Mbuna Cichlids Both sexes of the more than 100 species of Mbuna are unusually colourful, whereas typically, only males have colour They are very colourful with bright patterns of horizontal stripes or vertical bars. Mbuna are smaller and tend to have flat faces, which enables them to better scrape algae from rocks.
What fish are compatible with Mbuna cichlids?
- Lemon yellow lab (in the center) is one of the most common mbuna varieties.
-
flavescent peacock
(Aulonocara stuartgranti ‘Usisya’) - School of frontosas (Cyphotilapia frontosa)
- Electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis fryeri)
- Kribensis cichlid (Pelvicachromis pulcher)
What are the least aggressive Mbuna cichlids?
- Electric Yellow Lab Cichlid Labidochromos caeruleus.
- Yellow Tail Acei Cichlid Pseudotropheus acai.
- Sulfur Head Peacock Cichlid Aulonocara maylandia.
How big do Mbuna cichlids get?
tank size
. In the wild mbuna rarely top 7.5–10cm/3–4in total length but fed rich foods in the aquarium they can reach 12.5–15cm/5–6in They are aggressive and territorial and you need to keep lots of them, so a large tank is a must.
Which African cichlids are the most colorful?
African Rift Lake Cichlids are among the most colorful, active and hardy freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby. Their colors rival those of many saltwater fish, and their elaborate mating and brood care behavior are fascinating to watch.
What is the easiest cichlid to keep?
If there is one universally agreed upon beginner cichlid, it’s probably the convict cichlid These fish are incredibly hardy, breed readily, and are extremely prolific. If someone wants to experience all a cichlid has to offer, then these are the perfect fish.
How many cichlids should be kept together?
These cichlids have complex social groups, and they shouldn’t live alone but in groups of a minimum of six fish It’s possible to provide Angelfish with some tankmates, but ensure tankmates aren’t too small as it’ll eat them.
What is the most peaceful cichlid?
Keyhole Cichlid (Cleithracara maronii) – A very peaceful species, the keyhole cichlid grows only 4 to 5 inches in length. These fish are very shy and need to have plenty of hiding places in the tank. They are very nonaggressive with other tankmates and will always back down from a fight.
How many Mbunas are in a 75 gallon tank?
Keep 8 to 12 Mbunas per 30 U.S. gallons of water Always respect your fish’s minimum tanks requirements. The more fish you add to your tank, the more harmonious it will be. Adding more fish adds extra bioload to your tank.
How many African cichlids can I put in a 55 gallon tank?
A 55 gallon tank can house up to 15 African cichlids depending on species, maximum size and temperament.
Can a pleco live with cichlids?
The dwarf pleco or otto cat (Ottocinclus spp) also stays small and is a hardy fish. A group of these will get along well with small cichlids Additionally, the rubbernose pleco (Chaetostoma spp) generally stay under six inches and won’t harm small, peaceful cichlids.
What does Mbuna mean?
Mbuna (pronounced Mmm-boo – nah ) is the common name for a large group of African cichlids from Lake Malawi, and are members of the haplochromine family. The name mbuna means “rockfish” in the language of the Tonga people of Malawi.
What is a hap cichlid?
Haplochromis or “Haps” as they are commonly referred to, is the largest genera of Cichlids, with many species residing in Lake Malawi Similar to Peacocks, they display wonderful color and are sexually dimorphic–males display color while females do not.
How do you tell the difference between a male and female Malawi cichlid?
Males are more likely to have yellow spots on their anal fins (called “fin spots”) than female fish The anal fin is the lower fin just before the tail. Fin spots on males tend to be more irridescent, brighter and greater in number than the fins spots on females.
What do
egg spots
on cichlids mean?
Most African cichlids have egg spots. These can either be subtle blotches or clear circles. Egg spots are used as a diversion method for predators Certain species of synodontis catfish will try to eat the cichlid’s eggs while the couple is breeding.
What type of cichlid is orange?
The Zebra Cichlid or Metriaclima callainos is a beautiful freshwater species unique to Lake Malawi, one of Africa’s Great Rift lakes. This species is also known as the Orange African Cichlid, one of the first African fish imported for fish keeping.
How many African cichlids can I put in a 40 gallon tank?
How many Yellow Lab Cichlids can you keep in a 40-gallon aquarium? You can successfully keep 6 or 7 adult Yellow Lab Cichlids in a 40-gallon aquarium. If you are stocking with juvenile fish, start off with 10 juveniles, looking to adjust down to 6 or 7 once the Yellow Lab Cichlids becoming sexually mature.
Can American and African cichlids mix?
Most African and Central American Cichlids are aggressive in nature; hence they must not be kept together in the same tank It is important to add dither fish species into aquariums containing aggressive Cichlids.
Is a Yellow Lab cichlid a Mbuna?
The Yellow Lab Cichlid is one of the most peaceful and docile of the Mbuna species They are very versatile and adaptable to all types of cichlid setups. They are aggressive to fish that have a similar colour, shape and build as them – don’t let them look in the mirror!.
What does OB Peacock mean?
Common Name: OB Peacock, The meaning of OB is Orange blotched Origin: NOT naturally found in Lake Malawi. Diet: Flake food & small pellets, Frozen: Brine Shrimp, Mysis, pacifica plankton, bloodworms.
Are zebra mbuna aggressive?
Social behavior: The Zebra Mbuna is an aggressive fish towards similar and dissimilar species Tensions between fish are reduced when the Zebra Mbuna is kept in a large tank will many hiding places, and combined with different-looking species and morphs. Keep one male with several females.
What age do Malawi cichlids breed?
African cichlids actually brood through their mouths but do not eat hatched eggs. At what age does a female typically lay eggs? Usually when fully developed — maybe about 3-5 months old.
How many Mbunas are in a 36 gallon tank?
While there are some keepers out there who say you can keep as many as 10 cichlids in a 36 gallon tank, there are some caveats to their care. First, the cichlids won’t get any larger than 3 inches, even at maturity. And second, there is a super powerful filter while performing faithful water changes.
What is the meanest cichlid?
The wolf cichlid is the meanest cichlid. Known as blood-thirsty beasts in the fishkeeping community, they are very vicious and territorial. Wolf cichlids won’t hesitate to attack any fish that dare enter their territory.
Do cichlids prefer sand or gravel?
For cichlids, a sand substrate is considered the best That’s because cichlids love to dig and move the sand around, and they exhibit the same behavior in nature which serves many purposes, such as scavenging for food or making nests for laying eggs. The pinnacle of sands is aragonite sand.
What are the three types of African cichlids?
- Kribensis Cichlid (Pelvicachromis pulcher) .
- Jewel Cichlid (Hemichromis bimaculatus) .
- Frontosa Cichlid (Cyphotilapia frontosa) .
- Demasoni Cichlid (Pseudotropheus demasoni) .
- Venustus Cichlid (Nimbochromis venustus) .
- Electric Blue Cichlid/Electric Blue Hap (Sciaenochromis fryeri)
What are dwarf Mbuna cichlids?
Criteria for Dwarf Cichlids Females cannot top out at more than 12 cm or 4.7 inches to be considered a dwarf species Both males and females become sexually mature when less than 4 inches long. Lake Malawi cichlid species falling within these parameters are few, and are invariably mbuna, also known as rock fish.
Should you keep cichlids in pairs?
When provided with clean water and food, in theory most cichlids are able to survive alone. However it is best to keep at least a breeding pair or more to allow them to thrive The only cichlid that is often kept alone is the Oscar. While possible to keep alone, I would recommend to not keep cichlids solitary.
Do cichlids like algae?
The best algae eater for the African cichlid tank is without a doubt, the ancistrus sp. Even though they are originally from south America, it is one of the only algae eaters that can adapt to the African cichlid’s water parameters as well as their behavior.