Mbuna stocking levels

Tac · Aug 29, 2006

Hi People
I'm new to MFK and would appreciate your advice.
I currently have a 84L x 21Wx24 D (inches) aquarium, now by my reckoning i could stock between 52 - 66 mbuna in it, is this right i your opinions ?
It currently houses 34 mbuna juvies 1 - 1.5 inches.
It is filtered by 2x jewel (Jumbo's) but will be having a large external filter added in a couple of months.

Some really nice tanks and fish on this site :drool:

Tac

fish head )'> · Aug 29, 2006

Welcome to MFK.
Overstocking an African tank is often used to keep down aggression. However, you will find that there are various opinons on fish keeping here. (which is what is so great about this web site.)
That is a big tank, that with good filtration and water changes, can support at least that many mbuna. Just keep an eye on the mix.

Scotty · Aug 30, 2006

Welcome TAC to MFK. :welcome:

Yes, you will get many expert opinions on how many or how few fish you can/should keep in that tabk of yours. My experience has told me that overstocking reduces the mbuna aggression dramatically. Remeber that when you want to add fish, especially in a year or two, then you must add at least 4-5 fish. This will avoid the newbie being targeted by the others.
I would suggest you create plenty of rock cover for these fish as this helps those new to a tank. I sometimes will re-arrange the rocks when adding new fish. The originals then focus more on recapturing their spot rather than on the new fish.
I have some pic,s in my gallery and my avatar is a pic of one of my 6 tanks. If you would like to avoid the opinions you can always correspond directly with me. Am always willing to help those just starting out.
Once you have your tank settled then post some pic's. Always nice to see a well stocked tank. I have some 3ft's with around 60-80 fish in them as there are between 30-50 babies that are growing. I must be carrying around 300-350 fry at different stages of growth. Have 3sets fry, same species, growing out in a 1,5ft tank.
MY personal opinion is an understocked tank always looks empty. Once your have had fry swimming around in a tank it always looks different once they have been removed. They just add so much more activity to a tank. Gives the tank LIFE.
:naughty: