is it possible to keep a breeding pair of red emperess in a tank with mbunas? the tank would have plenty of rock caves for hiding and open space between for swimming. thanks
Red Emperess
- Thread starter swede
- Start date
any care or keeping instructions, tank setup tips or the like i should know to be successful with doing this?
its possible, but not really recommended. What type of mbuna you have? Are you keeping fry from the "breeding pair". I would just set up a seperate tank if your intentions are to breed and distribute fry. Also get a couple more females for the male.
from what i have seen, red emperess are actually ok with just one female to one male if its the only male in the tank. i don't have many mbuna yet, just a maingano and 2 red zebras. i have them in a 10 gal cuz theyre just juvies but very shortly i am getting at least a 55 gallon to set up for them and i will add more mbuna
Not a good idea unless a large enough tank one male and one female might work. He will be very aggressive towards her at breeding times if she can't stay away. I keep a male and female super red in a 125 with my frontosa's. I leave her out for long periods after breeding to rest or he will stay after her constantly. She just spit between 40 and 50 fry and will remain alone for at least 3 weeks. I intend to add 2 or 3 more females.
seems like its probably best to have either haps or mbunas, and i already have mbunas. I should do the responsible thing and stick with them to prevent problems since i cant have a 90 or bigger right now. i'll be lucky to get a 75
Swede, I sure would not try it in a small tank. I have several large tanks. It just takes a little time. I started in 2007 with 2- 10 gals and now have 84 tanks. It is more than an addiction. The aggression with the mbuna's is very high as well.
i'm getting at least a 55 gallon, and i am not tsocking anymore in a 10 gal. now unless theyre fry. thanks for the advice everyone! and 84 tanks..... i feel bad for your floor joists
Yea!! that would be rough. Swede, I only have 25 of them up and running at this time. I am looking to set up a breeding room. If you look at a site called Cichlids.com there are pics of most of my fish and tanks. You can look and do not have to join. It is offline for some service right now.