New to Africans

[Christophercanary]

Bought these the other day from my local PetSmart in the 'assorted Africans' tank. They are about 1.5 - 2". They are in a 29 gallon tank just the two of them. This is my first time ever keeping africans but ive kept sa/ca cichlids for 15 years.

I'm done my research on them reading about them online so now I know everything there is to know about africans and I'm smarter than everyone on these fish so keep your opinions to yourself.. sike im joking but any input would be appreciated.

I've come to the conclusion that the blue fish is a kenyi cichlid perhaps female as I read that the males turn yellow if I remember that correctly?

The yellow fish is the yellowest fish I've ever had, the Kenyi is probably the prettiest blue fish I've had as well. I'm wondering if the yellow is a yellow lab. It does not show any black in the dorsal fin though yet and it appears that its pelvic fins are white and it has a slight white undertone to its fins and also at certain angles you see tiny flecks of blue in the yellow but can only see that when looking very close.

My other guess was that they could be hybrids being in the assorted tank. I'm familiar with the commercial hybridization that occurred with the red devil and midas cichlids in the ca world and it is my understanding that this occurred with African mbuna cichlids as well. I've come to the conclusion that my yellow fish is a hybrid yellow lab of some sort.

Is it possible for my kenyi to be a hybrid also? Oh, also I've noticed the Kenyi is the aggressor in the tank, I'm thinking of adding new fish or trying to breed them but wanting these guys to get established first or at least quarantined.

Thanks,
C.

 

[james99]

Once the kenyi gets about 2.5" it will pretty much kill anything put with it. The yellow one could very well be a hybrid.

 

[Christophercanary]

Once the kenyi gets about 2.5" it will pretty much kill anything put with it. The yellow one could very well be a hybrid.

I can totally see that, the aggression is not so bad now but I'd rather that not happen. What are some good suggestions to prepare for the kenyi aggression?

Some ideas im thinking:
Convert tank into kenyi only species tank
add some other africans -- some im interested in are: auratus, demasoni, yellow labs, and maybe acei
I've got a 2 inch female convict cichlid I was thinking about throwing in there to see what would happen or if it would balance some of the aggression

Thanks,
C.

 

[A201]

I believe the yellow cichlid is a hybrid that's currently being sold as the Electric Yellow.
It's difficult to find a true Yellow Lab in my area anymore.

 

[james99]

Best plan of action would be to rehome the kenyi and get a much bigger tank. I dont see a 29 gallon working long turn with mbuna.

 

[Christophercanary]

I believe the yellow cichlid is a hybrid that's currently being sold as the Electric Yellow.
It's difficult to find a true Yellow Lab in my area anymore.

Best plan of action would be to rehome the kenyi and get a much bigger tank. I dont see a 29 gallon working long turn with mbuna.

I see and thanks, I also have a 75 gallon and a 90 gallon. The 90 is currently empty sitting in storage.

Would there be anything wrong with keeping the Kenyi alone in the 29 gallon? or how about 1 male and 2 females or is this species too aggressive for that small a tank. Otherwise if I do a community ill upgrade.

Thanks,
C.

 

[Longmayitreign]

Those fish will be fine in a 29 for a while. If you are only going to use a 29 then try a yellow lab, acei, hongi, shellies, or a julie tank. You could also have a breeding tank for one of those or peacocks.

 

[Christophercanary]

Those fish will be fine in a 29 for a while. If you are only going to use a 29 then try a yellow lab, acei, hongi, shellies, or a julie tank. You could also have a breeding tank for one of those or peacocks.

Thanks! perhaps ill turn the 29 into a yellow lab breeding colony and put the kenyi in a larger tank. For some reason I'm only interested in the mbuna's as far as africans go and want to try breeding them and/or having mbuna only communities.

Thanks,
C.

 

[MrsE88]

I agree that Kenyi will terrorize anything that goes with it. My female made all the other fish in my 75g hide 24/7. She was horrible. The only slight break was when she was holding. Not sure who fertilized her eggs, but sit still have three of these guys.


She is gone now and I finally get to see my fish!

 

[Christophercanary]

I agree that Kenyi will terrorize anything that goes with it. My female made all the other fish in my 75g hide 24/7. She was horrible. The only slight break was when she was holding. Not sure who fertilized her eggs, but sit still have three of these guys.
View attachment 1393664

She is gone now and I finally get to see my fish!

Awesome picture! I have discovered that these kenyi are tiny terrors even the females! I did not know that there was such variety in aggression levels in mbuna, I thought they all had about the same temperament.

I know now that I'll have to take precaution and proper preparation before trying my hand at the auratus and demasoni! The yellow and blue colors on africans is what drew me to them, little did I know that these are the most aggressive types! auratus, demasoni, kenyi, yellow labs are among the most beautifully colored fw fish but who'd a thought they were so darn mean! (aside from the yellow lab).

How do I successfully keep, those species in a tank?

I'm wondering what:

1 male auratus, 1 male demasoni, 1 male kenyi, and an overcrowded group of yellow labs would look like in a tank and what size tank you would need for it to work.

c.