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)

Can all

mbuna cichlids

live together?

African cichlids known as Mbunas can live together even though they’re the pretty

aggressive type

. But their aggression doesn’t mean much to larger fish like Hap (Haplochromis) and Peacock cichlids (Cichla ocellaris), and they can all live together as long as you are able to manage their temperament.

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 is the largest mbuna cichlid?

Generally speaking, in the wild, Mbuna Cichlids will grow to between 3 and 4 inches in length , or between 7.5 to 10 centimeters. Yes, there are some smaller ones that are classified as dwarf Mbuna Cichlids, which can be as small as 2 inches, and there are others that can grow to 5 inches, although this is rare.

How many types of mbuna are there?

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.

What can you mix with Mbuna?

Omnivore Mbunas are compatible with : Lake Malawi Aulonocara , Haps & peaceful predators Lake Tanganyika Herbivores (Tropheus) : Feed a mainly herbivore diet (Omnivores need some algae in their diet anyways. They don’t mind eating salad) Lake Victoria Haplochromis– But only one species.

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!.

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.

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 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 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.

How big does an Mbuna get?

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. To start right with mbuna a 120cm/4ft tank or larger is best.

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 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 Oscars live with African cichlids?

The first thing that comes to mind when asked, can African Cichlids live with Oscars, is aggression. To save you a lot of guess work, no, they can not The needs of African Cichlids and Oscars are far too different to make them compatible in an aquarium.

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.

Why is my cichlid turning black?

If your Yellow Cichlid is turning black, it is most likely experiencing stress Stress has many side effects on fish, one of which is a change in coloration. Occasionally, Yellow Cichlids can turn black due to genetics, but this is rare. It’s best to assume that your Yellow Cichlid is turning black due to stress.

What does it mean when fish lock lips?

Locking lips means different things to different cichlids, and can even change depending on the situation. Since it can signify either fighting or breeding , a fish-keeper should pay attention when they see this behavior.

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.

Which cichlids grow the biggest?

Jaguar cichlid (Parachromis managuensis) The Jaguar can grow as large as 50cm/20″, even 60cm/24″ according to some authorities. Luckily they usually remain smaller in the aquarium and breed readily at half their reputed maximum.

Can Plecos be kept 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 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.

How big do Malawi cichlids get?

The size range of this group is reasonably large, however depending upon the aquarium into which they are to be housed, there is generally a Malawi which would be appropriate. They can grow to between 5 to 20cm Many of these fish show colour differences between the sexes.

What temperature should Malawi cichlids be?

In the wild, Malawi Cichlids live in water temperatures of around 24-26°C or 76-79°F An attempt should be made to keep the aquarium’s water temperature around these levels.

What type of cichlid is a giraffe?

Venustus Cichlid Facts Venustus Cichlid (Nimbochromis venustus), is an African Cichlid species that go by many names such as Venustus Hap, Giraffe Hap, Giraffe Cichlid, and Kalingo. They are easily identified by their unique pattern, which resembles the melanic markings of a giraffe, hence their nicknames.

How big do strawberry Peacock cichlids get?

The female strawberry peacock cichlid is smaller than the male, at about 4 inches. The male, when fully grown, can reach 6 inches or larger.

How big do Yellow Tail Acei get?

“acei” (also known as yellow-tail acei) is a Mbuna cichlid from Lake Malawi that grows to around 6 in (15 cm) in length.

How many cichlids should be kept together?

These cichlids are shy, peaceful, and can be kept in groups of eight or more They can also be housed with a number of tankmates, including barbs, tetras, dwarf gourami, and more. Their diet should consist of brine shrimp, bloodworm, mosquito larvae, and daphnia as well as a good flake or micropellets.

How big do Demasoni cichlids get?

Pseudotropheus demasoni is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known from the Pombo Rocks in Tanzanian waters. This species can potentially reach a maximum length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) SL It is now commonly found in the aquarium trade.

References


https://www.itsafishthing.com/how-big-do-mbuna-cichlids-get/


https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/features/the-mbuna-keepers-survival-guide/