Question on Malawi's???

[OscarHook]

Ok i am doing a 75g Malawi Mbuna tank just wondering what species you guys suggest to get the full range of color and activety. So far i have 4 Mbuna:
2 Yellow Labs
1 Snow white Socolofi
1 Cobalt Blue
What else would you guys suggest and also how many would be good for the tank. I have read that over stocking Mbuna tanks is recommended to cut down the aggression, is this true. Let me know folks

 

[straitjacketstar]

I'd recommend more of each actually. They're all monomorphic species so you don't have to worry about dull females. 3-4 of each. And maybe some good red M. estherae.

 

[kay-bee]

What else would you guys suggest and also how many would be good for the tank.

Maybe a species with stripes (some species have horizontal stripes while others have verticals).


For stocking you could probably go up to four total species with four fish (ideally 1m/3f) per species.

 

[gian krlo]

i agree with kay-bee

 

[OscarHook]

okay got 2 more labs last night at work, and i think i have 3f and 1m, there is only 1 with eggspots. Is that a pretty good chance that i am quessing right on gender? They are all around 2in. Thinking about some Ice blues so if anyone has any show me some good adult pics.

 

[straitjacketstar]

If by "Ice blue" you mean M. greshakei they might be OK but I would go for the albino form over the normals just to reduce any chances of the male cobalts and ice blues getting confused with eachother by the females.
The albinos are just as gorgeous as the normals with the added bonus of the females being a cheery peachy pink instead of the brown with hopefully some orange/red in the fins. They're a slightly bigger and thicker mbuna so they'll put some size in on that tank.
As for the labs sexing - eggspots and/or richness of color or pattern aren't really that reliable. Venting would be the best way to go with monomorphic fish.