mbuna

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Most of your stocklists have been asking for aggression and hybridization. Stick with no more than three species in a 55 and start with groups of about 6 each. Fish out extra males as they start getting whomped on and things will equalize. Kenyi can be pretty rough in my experience.

Personally, I think just yellow labs and johanni would make a great 55 setup. Get 8 each, rock up the tank and enjoy.
 
As for your new stocklist, kenyi are one of the most aggressive cichlids (at least of those usually available to people) - even more so than the auratus (or at least on par with). I like mokujin22's suggestion, but you could also try adding in some aceis (pseudotropheus sp. "acei") instead of the kenyi.

Of your stocklist, the yellow labs and red zebra are not very aggressive, and acei's would fit right into that category. Johanni are a bit more aggressive than those three species, but it should still work just fine as long as you have enough rockwork and line breaks. You could also try rusty cichlids (iodotropheus spregerae), they develop a nice rustic purple color upon maturity and are on par with the acei, yellow lab, and red zebras as far as temperament goes.

I agree with the three species in a 55gallon, but it would be ok to have four, but I would say five max (but this depends on the number of fish you do per species and your filtration).
 
i think that combination would work fine. the johanni can be crazy aggressive but there are enough fish in that tank that it should be dispersed well and not cause too much of an issue. in my opinion with mbuna the more fish the better. usually it stops one particular fish from getting the brunt of anothers aggression
 
conflicting opinions are adding to my confusion could I do 6 labs, 6 johanni and 6 malawi golden?
 
I'd do 5 johannii, 5 caeruleus, and 5 esterae. Honestly, any mbuna can be more aggressive than the next if he/she feels they are in charge, my socolofi is a monster in my tank. Are you looking to breed them??
 
no not to breed them just to enjoy them and their many behaviors.
 
Make sure you get all males then, mbuna are baby-making machines.
 
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