Best bottom feeder for mbunas

[Deadeye]

Anyone know how upside downs are with mbunas? I think I read they are a lower pH catfish. I’d love to get them (much cheaper than petricola).
Do petricolas need schools or are they fine solo?
Can I keep both in a school?

 

[tlindsey]

I personally kept a Synodontis Angelicus with a group of Mbuna and the Catfish was tough and didn't take any bs from the Mbuna.

 

[EntoStentor]

Upside downs used to be easily available, haven’t seen them nearby in years though. I love dwarf frogs, but I’d give one 10 minutes in that tank before it becomes a tadpole.

I feed the api sinking pellets. I may just never see them grazing. I’m sure they are and I just don’t notice. From what I’ve watched though they just like to only take them as they are sinking. Usually after about 20 minutes they will take the floating ones. I usually don’t feed a lot to encourage them eating every last pellet.

I saw upside downs at pet supplies plus regularly.

 

[Deadeye]

I personally kept a Synodontis Angelicus with a group of Mbuna and the Catfish was tough and didn't take any bs from the Mbuna.

I like those but I’d imagine anything bigger than 6 inches would outgrow the tank.

 

[lp85253]

i find most syno's i've had are pretty hardy , and deal with aggression from cichlids well..they are active as well

 

[Deadeye]

How are featherfins? Do they get too big for the 36?

 

[duanes]

woah whats the fish in the top photo. i am not fimilair with it! Looks cool!

I'm guessing you mean Lepidiolamprologus elongatus.



A cichlid from the rocky shires of Lake Tanganyika, prefers hard, high pH water, can eaasily reach @ 8-10". so needs a largish tank, I kept them in 6 ft tanks (125 to 150gallon). Not agressive with high bodied species it could not eat. A dwarf frog would be a quick snack.
Juvies below.

There is a smaller version L. kendalli very similar in looks reaches about 5"

 

[KATALEKEEPER]

I'm guessing you mean Lepidiolamprologus elongatus.
View attachment 1440707
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A cichlid from the rocky shires of Lake Tanganyika, prefers hard, high pH water, can eaasily reach @ 8-10". so needs a largish tank, I kept them in 6 ft tanks (125 to 150gallon). Not agressive with high bodied species it could not eat. A dwarf frog would be a quick snack.
Juvies below.
View attachment 1440710
There is a smaller version L. kendalli very similar in looks reaches about 5"

I thought it might be from lake tanganikya. But I thought it was a julidochromis! I am inheriting a 75 gallon tanganikyan tank this wkend. Would be cool to keep these but probably to big

 

[Rocksor]

How are featherfins? Do they get too big for the 36?

yes with the current stocking, I've seen some beefy 8" featherfins, probably about 2 fingers body height.

 

[duanes]

I thought it might be from lake tanganikya. But I thought it was a julidochromis! I am inheriting a 75 gallon tanganikyan tank this wkend. Would be cool to keep these but probably to big

I believe that size would be OK for L. kendalli, might only be a grow out tank for L elongatus.