Couple questions about an African Cichlid

[NCStateFisher]

Hey guys, today at work (yes I work at petsmart, don't bash me too hard) we got a 5-6" Red Zebra Cichlid in with our Koi shipment (no idea how it happened, but w/e) and nobody else new what it was so I got it for the price of a koi for like 8 bucks. The plan is to take it to the LFS and trade it in as they have about a 125g african setup, but just out of curiosity though what would you consider this guy's minimum tank size? I've been setting up a 29 gallon for my girlfriend and was thinking if this guy can live in there maybe i'll just hold on to him for a fish only tank as I've grown kinda fond of him, but don't want him to continue being cramped. (was in one of those 7 gallon boxes on the fish wall at petsmart, in a 10 gallon for the night). I went ahead and added crushed coral on top of the substrate to get him a more acceptable PH level for his couple day stint in the little tank.

So do you guys think he'd be okay in a 29 for life? Or should I give him the best shot possible and take him to the LFS? Also, would you guys consider 8 bucks a good price for an african of this size? No pics yet but I may take some later tonight. Thanks for the input, I just wanted to get this guy out of or cruddy water system ASAP

 

[CLDarnell]

yes I work at petsmart

I feel like an idiot for suggesting you look at Petsmart for caves! lol

I read that the minimum recommended tank size is 55g. Not sure she would be happy with just one fish in her tank anyway to be honest.

Cool find

 

[NCStateFisher]

dang :/ wish it could go in the 75 but i don't really see that working out with a female GT and a firemouth, though it might be okay with the bichirs...

odds are little fella is taking a trip to the LFS this week though, thanks for the input

 

[kay-bee]

Mbuna's such as red zebra's are social fish (despite their aggressive tendencies). One maintained in a solitary set up probably won't display it's complete behavior or nature.

With that said, 29gal should be enough to support a single full grown red zebra.

 

[Kanta]

40b or a 55. they do best in schools. Well a trio would be the best. They are neat fish.

 

[NCStateFisher]

may end up with another tank... i really like this guy haha

 

[Regalblue]

It should be fast enough to stay away from yr FM & GT
A 29gal would probably house it for life. But, IMO it would be kinda cruel. As mentioned above it'll been happier with tankmates.
rd zebras are VERY common around here & that price is fair IMO

 

[CLDarnell]

A 29gal would probably house it for life. But, IMO it would be kinda cruel.

Only if the fish learned to maneuver around the tank similar to a new driver learning to parallel park lol

Did you pick him up yet NC?

 

[Regalblue]

Only if the fish learned to maneuver around the tank similar to a new driver learning to parallel park lol

Did you pick him up yet NC?

Well put!

 

[BadFishPa]

Why are they called Red Zebra ?..Males are typically Blue and Females are Orange or yellow? Like red top africans,clearly with Yellow Or Orange color fins. But there is a yellow tail Acei..same color fins that were called Red on the zebras? Then i have heard (In the wild they appear red)..Who cares ,the ones we are buying are Orange,Blue and Yellow and have never seen the WILD..lmao Then there is the scientific names that change from website to website and change from time to time..Why cant they just call the colors correctly,my childs teacher has corrected him about colors of his fish at school untill i showed them books..Then we had a laugh and realized they were named by uneducated idiots on an island somewhere lol