How many Mbunas can you fit in a 20g long tank?

[cichlidsguy]

i started a new tank that my brother gave me its a 2og long i have nothing in it yet but a friend of mine wants to give me some mbunas cichlids(red zebra(orange),rusty cichlids,red peacocks,kenyi,yellow labs)
THESE ARE THE MBUNAS HE HAS!

Which ones should i get and how many of each??
i was hoping to some how get a pair?


ALL THESE CICHLIDS ARE JUST FRYS
LENGTH(1-2")

 

[toehead11183]

no more than 4. its a small tank and aggression is likely to be a problem. teritory is limited in a small tank. i have 6 1" in my 29 and body parts are already missing.

 

[straitjacketstar]

You might be able to get away with a trio of yellow labs but it's very likely that that size tank will not work even for yellow labs as a permanent situation. Mbuna should generally be allowed a minimum of 30gls which is 36" long at the very least, even for dwarf species.

 

[toehead11183]

i agree, my 29 is just temp until i can find time to set up a 55

 

[cichlidsguy]

yea my 20 is also temp...till the get about 2 in i'll put them in my 55 g

 

[straitjacketstar]

Well in that case you can get yourself a decent group.
Depending on what species you're interested in you can play with the numbers. I think 10 of the little ones would be a good number for grow-out. You probably don't actually want to take that many if you already have fish in your 55.

 

[cichlidsguy]

Well in that case you can get yourself a decent group.
Depending on what species you're interested in you can play with the numbers. I think 10 of the little ones would be a good number for grow-out. You probably don't actually want to take that many if you already have fish in your 55.

i only have 2 Jds in my 55g
what group do you think would work from the list i gave?????

 

[tarheels910]

Nothing. The africans should have their own tank and should not be mixed with American cichlids.

 

[cichlidsguy]

Nothing. The africans should have their own tank and should not be mixed with American cichlids.

Dang....you came in a little hard!!!geeshh
maybe i should clear something i wont mix my fish!!!!!
also once they out grow my 20g long i will move them 2 my 55g and move out my JDs...GOT THAT BUDDY

 

[straitjacketstar]

A standard 55gl tank can stock about 12 adult mbuna in the 4-6" range.