New mbuna setup advice

[Galactik]

I just started with a group of 12 in my 60 gallons (smaller sized mbunas like labs) but I had a few questions.

I'm currently running this tank with sponge filters rated for 120 gallons (already seeded from a previous setup) but I was wondering if there's a need to add some kind of power head to the mix. Theres good water movement at the top of the tank but thats about it. So good oxygenation but not a lot of flow.

The other question I had is when it comes to rocks and hideouts. I read somewhere that with mbuna one should either provide a lot of cover on maybe 1 big structure. So that no one can claim in permanently.

I'm not opposed to getting rock but I do like open tanks more for the ease of maintenance.

 

[DJRansome]

What are the dimensions and shape of your 60G?

What is the GPH of your filters? I like all my filtration through the filters.

Mbuna are rock fish. To make the fish happy fill the tank to the waterline with rocks. If you like open tanks, maybe mbuna are not for you.

The species and genders of your mbuna matter...what fish did you stock?

 

[Galactik]

What are the dimensions and shape of your 60G?

What is the GPH of your filters? I like all my filtration through the filters.

Mbuna are rock fish. To make the fish happy fill the tank to the waterline with rocks. If you like open tanks, maybe mbuna are not for you.

The species and genders of your mbuna matter...what fish did you stock?

I currently have 3 large sponges that are rated for 40 gallons, so about 120g in total. They are air driven so im not sure how to calculate the gph on that but I definitely have good surface agitation.

I currently have some lava rock in there to create structures with aragonite substrate, but I was wondering if it would be more beneficial to have a single bigger rock structure vs spreading the rocks around.

For the species I got 6 yellow labs, 5 cobalt blue (not a 100% sure on that one, will get a pic to confirn) and a venustus (this one i know I'm rolling the dice on, but wanted to try it)

 

[Rtc/tsn]

I currently have 3 large sponges that are rated for 40 gallons, so about 120g in total. They are air driven so im not sure how to calculate the gph on that but I definitely have good surface agitation.

I currently have some lava rock in there to create structures with aragonite substrate, but I was wondering if it would be more beneficial to have a single bigger rock structure vs spreading the rocks around.

For the species I got 6 yellow labs, 5 cobalt blue (not a 100% sure on that one, will get a pic to confirn) and a venustus (this one i know I'm rolling the dice on, but wanted to try it)

Venustus are really aggressive ime also can grow pretty big. Saw one a while ago nearing 10” not sure it would be a good idea to house that with other cichlids in general

 

[Deadeye]

Venustus aren’t horrible. Cobalt is gonna be the meanest, if they are anything like their red zebra cousins.
Personally lots of small rock caves will offer the most territory.

 

[Galactik]

Here are some pics. Not very good as the water was still cloudy from the aragonite sand. I'll get a better one of the setup once it clears out.

 

[DJRansome]

What are the dimensions of your tank? Lots of smaller rocks, but SO many that you are stacking them...not scattering them.

 

[Galactik]

What are the dimensions of your tank? Lots of smaller rocks, but SO many that you are stacking them...not scattering them.

Its a standard 60

48x13x22

 

[DJRansome]

I would shoot for 15 cichlids that mature <= six inches in a 48x12 tank to help manage aggression. Either increase females on the labs and metriaclima, or add 1m:4f of another mbuna species. Don't save fry from the tank.

 

[Galactik]

Thank you! ^

I was debating adding rusties or more labs.

You have any suggestions for other types that would do well?