Help stocking a 55 compatibility

[daskosmischevonut]

Could I keep some Yellow Top Mbamba with some yellow Labs in a 55? They seem fairly compatible(similar diets and agression) as long as i don't keep any other blue stripped Mbuna in with them. If so, how many of each species would fill up the tank? I do water changes religiously and tend to over filter so a little overstocking to spread out aggression is my plan.

I already have 6 yellow labs growing out in a 30 gallon and I plan to keep 3 or 4 in a 1M/2-3F group once i sex them.

 

[Cichlidsanders]

This might help you http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/l_mbamba.php, but be careful.
Interbreeding will cause screaming about hybrids around here.

 

[daskosmischevonut]

Oh wow I can't believe I didn't even think about the interbreeding issue. sorry I'm still fairly new to keeping fish.

Does anyone have any recommendations of some small Mbuna that would be compatible with some yellow labs and could provide some color other than yellow.

 

[LadyBarbara001]

Pseudotropheus acei, or Iodotropheus sprengerae are two species I've had luck with in keeping with yellow labs.

 

[daskosmischevonut]

What about some cynotilapia afra? Would a trio of these work?

 

[daskosmischevonut]

Actually from what I've read they might be more aggressive than I'm looking for. I'm gonna go with the Yellow Tail Acei most likely. PIcs this weekend when I pick them up.

 

[daskosmischevonut]

Ok something I forget to mention. When I went to pick up the tank I realized it wasn't a 55, it was a 75!!! I got: 75 gallon tank, stand, full hood, lights, emperor 400. All for $150. I picked up 6 pseudotropheus acei to go with the 6 labidochromis caeruleus, and one bristle nose pleco.

Also one of the Yellow labs is holding.

 

[aussiesk8]

looks great man, much better than i could ever have managed just starting at fishkeeping

 

[daskosmischevonut]

Thanks man. I'm really happy with this setup. It's very entertaining to watch. and everyone seems to get along great. I've had the yellow lab that was holding in a 10 gal for the last couple weeks. I stripped her of the fry yesterday and I think i let her hold for too long, she was pretty skinny. She seems to be doing alright though. Now one of the yellow tails is holding too, It seems like this is going to be a recurring theme in this tank so i think I'll just let them do their thing without pulling everyone that has puffy cheeks.

 

[daskosmischevonut]

Yeah I've thought of changing to sand. I probably should have done it when I set this tank up but I didn't. How hard is it to clean sand? I mean, with the gravel I just use the python and vacuum the gravel but i would imagine that the sand would get sucked up.