Stocking help

[Morcs]

Hey guys,

I'm into my first foray into Africans having kept just about most things.

I'm trying an mbuna tank, though size isn't on my side. Tank is a 40x18.5x24 running 2 canisters.

Just put in 8 yellow labs with the plan to pull out dominant males until I have maybe 5.

Second species is tricky, selection in NZ isn't great, and was after a blue fish. The thought of 12+ demasoni scares me (rightly or wrongly in this tank size?) Otherwise was considering cobalt blue zebras (thoughts?)

The other question I had, can I keep a couple of individuals, providing they don't look similar? Ie. 1 red zevra, 1 cobalt/ice blue zebra, 1 afra etc.. or does that just not work with mbuna?

Tank pic:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XiipiOiHj3uUmzJFlN3TcJhYu1hzZRTr/view?usp=drivesdk

 

[The Morning]

I would not recommend putting demasoni in that tank. The issue you have with your short footprint will stem from territorial disputes.
I have tried a variety of stocking options with mbuna and you can have success but you need to be prepared to remove fish as needed. Either have a second tank set up or have agreement with LFS to return stock. I have found that each fish will have their own personality, some will work some won’t. I have a red zebra in one of my tanks that is going back next time I do water change. He is getting way too aggressive with my other males.
Cross breeding will be another issue but as long as you are not selling or trading fry most do not have issues with that.
I personally like red top hongi if they are available. They have always mixed well with my yellow labs and they add a nice color.

 

[The Morning]

Ok I just saw your other thread with a list of available stocking options. If I am you with that tank I would either stick with a yellow lab only tank or possibly one but not both of the elongatus or Snow White. The elongatus would depend on the variety as some are more blue others yellow. See how they interact with each other. Adding some more rocks might add to the potential for success.

 

[Gourami Swami]

In this size tank, once the fish are full grown I think you may have trouble doing two groups. I would probably only keep the yellow labs. I did a 90 gallon with yellow labs and blue zebras years ago, and it was apparent that the zebras were a good bit more aggressive. In a small tank like this one I wouldn't want to be the yellow labs with male zebras in the tank.
^ The Morning gave good advice above btw