Stocking question?

[rrcoolj]

Okay so I have a 55 gallon mbuna tank with the following...
3 Red zebra(Metriaclima estherae)
4 yellow labs(Labidochromis caeruleus )
4powder blue(Pseudotropheus socolofi)
1 Synodontis decorus

All the fish except for two socolofi and 1 red zebra are beatweed1-2inches in length. My dominat red zebra and the two socolofi are about 3inches long if not a litle bigger. I would love to add another red zebra and if possible another species of fish. I know you not supposed to have red zebra and yellow labs in the same tank because of the hybrization thing but when I first started(about a year ago) I thaught that only fish of the same species or similar color would hybridize. But I love the colors too much to get rid of either species. So my question is can I add more fish or is the tank pretty well stocked?

Oh by the way for filteration I have an xp2 canister and a aquaclear 110.

 

[greenearthlawns]

you could get away with a few more especially some smaller types...what type are you interested in? how about some dwarf mbuna? cynotilapia afra and hai reef r nice... sounds like you have plenty of each species to reduce the chance of hybridization besides you can always just let them spit the fry into the tank and you wont have to worry about it anyways as long as your not selling them... but I highly dought there would be hybridization going on with the mix you got there... It's more of a prob with kenyi and electric yellow hybreeding but as long as you got 2-3 females per male you should be fine...

 

[snova031]

Red zebra and yellow labs commonly hybridize. Do you know your m/f ratio for either species?

I wouldn't add another species. 3 species for a 55g is generally recommended. You can probably add more of each species, though.

 

[rrcoolj]

Red zebra and yellow labs commonly hybridize. Do you know your m/f ratio for either species?

I wouldn't add another species. 3 species for a 55g is generally recommended. You can probably add more of each species, though.

yeah I was thinking of that. But people are telling me differnt opinions so I decided to ask here. So my real question is Is the tank well stocked as it is? Although im definatly getting another zebra. And no im not sure of the genders they are still fairly small and I haven't attempted to vent any of them. MUCH to hard to catch.

 

[dad_jsp]

Synodontis decorus

that might get to big for a 55g

 

[snova031]

yeah I was thinking of that. But people are telling me differnt opinions so I decided to ask here. So my real question is Is the tank well stocked as it is? Although im definatly getting another zebra. And no im not sure of the genders they are still fairly small and I haven't attempted to vent any of them. MUCH to hard to catch.

Personally I think you can add more of the same species you have. It'll cut down on aggression and hopefully give you some more females to cut down on the chances of hybridization.

I'd do at least 5 or 6 yellow labs. I've got a 55g that consists of 6 yellow labs and mixed male peacocks, and one lab already dropped 11 fry and another is holding now. They're all around 2.5-3" or so.

 

[rrcoolj]

Synodontis decorus

that might get to big for a 55g

Yeah thier not real common so I can't find a solid adult size from any cite. Some say 8inches some say 12inches. If the cat gets to big for that tank(which won't be for a long time), I'll probably put him in his own "stock tank" or glass tank if I can find one cheap. I definatly don't want to get rid of him thier very unique.