Mbuna's and large Haps

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A

Achilles16

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 3, 2009
18
0
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England
Hi guys,
Would it be possible to set-up a mbuna style tank and keep a few large haps in with them, without them eating the small mbuna's, i was thinking fish like:
D.compressiceps
A.christyi
F.rostratus
N.fuscotaeniatus
N.venustus
T.Maculiceps

Obviously i woulnd't keep all the above fish, just a couple. So any info on mixing the two together would be great.
 
It is possible to setup such a tank in some circumstances. But you should avoid compressiceps like the plague, they can swallow mbuna up to half their size. Of the species you listed I think the venustus is the safest bet.
 
GTS;3372411; said:
It is possible to setup such a tank in some circumstances. But you should avoid compressiceps like the plague, they can swallow mbuna up to half their size. Of the species you listed I think the venustus is the safest bet.
Click to expand...

I agree. My compressiceps can't swallow fish half its size but will kill them attempting to do so.
 
Also keep in mind that a large hap in a mbuna tank always seems to get his fins nipped by the mbuna from time to time. Good overall general healh may be possible to accomplish, but don't expect your hap to display perfect form if you do this. What size is this tank that you are planning? Mixing a hap with a bunch of mbuna will work a lot better in a giant tank. This will allow you to get closer to catering to the needs of both types of fish. Also would help if the mbuna you stocked were from the more peaceful varieties. Kenyis, auratus, or johannis are almost certain to tear your hap up. My current tank has haps and mbuna. I am in the process of replanning it to include only haps. In my opinion, mixing these two types can be manageable, but will not be without problems. Ask yourself if you will have the discipline to remove all you decor to be able to net and rescue a fish if things get out of hand? I have had to do this with one of these setups. Do you have alternate quarters for any fish you need to remove. Most LFS will buy back any adult fish and resell them at a high price-they just won't do it immediately. Space is premium for all.
 
Thanks for the replys,

Schneider, The tank that i'm going to use is 240g, what's the reason for swapping to an all hap tank?
 
A 240 is a very nice sized tank. Will work very well for your setup. I am going to change my tank to an all hap tank to reduce aggression and improve my species compatibility. I have a 180(72x24x24). In my situation going all haps or all mbuna will make things easier on me. I just happen to like haps more.
 
What types of haps do you have?
I've been thinking about going all haps too, it would mean i could keep the larger predatory species. Also what are your opinions on keeping frontosa's with haps?
 
Achilles16;3372881; said:
What types of haps do you have?
I've been thinking about going all haps too, it would mean i could keep the larger predatory species. Also what are your opinions on keeping frontosa's with haps?
Click to expand...

You should consider keeping all haps. Your tank is large enough and straight hap only takes seem to be rare. I have a suggestion, you should consider some of the fish from the genus Buccochromis. Most of the fish in that genus grow large and are more aggresive than the average hap.
 
you have a decent size tank-why not keep haps and male peacocks? thats what i would do.

i have had a Venustus in the past, he was raised with mbuna in a 180, and one day he just started eating his tankmates-i had to sell him. i would say it depends on the fish, but Venustus in the wild eat smaller fish.. i just dont think it would work long term.

i think the peacocks are more eyecatching than mbuna anyways-having had mbuna for the past few years..
 
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