Mbuna stocking

[LoveTheFishies]

I'm trying to plan ahead for stocking my tanks so there aren't any major conflicts.  After all the shuffling I decided to do a mbuna tank.  55 gal.  Currently have some that are growing up. 

What do you guys think about this mix.  I'm looking for a nice color mix.  Not so interested in breeding.  So if a female holds, I'll have a lot of hiding places, but not pull her.

Groups of:  pseudotropheus acei
                 pseudotropheus sp. cherry red  * already have some
                 labidochromis sp hongii  *already have some

Plus:          syno's or   pleco

Thanks for input 

[djlamonica]

 Well your stocking may work but both pseudotropheus sp. cherry red labidochromis sp hongii are on the more aggressive end of the spectrum, especially to but put in with acei as they are some of the more meek mbuna.  I attempted a community with acei mixed in with some other psedotropheus species and I had to replace as the  other psedotropheus  came to about breeding size they just started beating the hell out of the acei.  I would suggest something like this if you want to keep the acei.

Labidochromis caeruleus Lion's Cove ''Yellow Lab''

Iodotropheus sprengerae ''Rusty''

Pseudotropheus elegans Luwala Reef ''Yellow Tail Acei''

OR keep your current list take the acei out and do Labidochromis caeruleus Lion's Cove ''Yellow Lab'' in there place as they are a bit more hardy I found even in with aggressive species.

I currently keep 12 different types of mbuna most of which you would not find at your LFS.  So if you want to talk about some non bread and butter stuff let me know. 

:  )

Although I have them all separated into species only tanks at this point, but it all started with a similar set up as yours a 55 g tank with about 40 mbuna in it lol.

[LoveTheFishies]

Yellow labs are easy to get.  I like the way acei look.  Can acei go in a hap/peacock tank?

[jcunningham0295]

Yellow labs are easy to get.  I like the way acei look.  Can acei go in a hap/peacock tank?

I think so.  I have white tail acei in my 125 with mbuna, my Hap Moorii, and misc single male peacocks.

[LoveTheFishies]

Ok, so I'll put some acei in my show tank.

What would you suggest to go with the hongi and cherry red.  Some Labidochromis caeruleus?

[African cichlid Keeper]

Ok, so I'll put some acei in my show tank.

What would you suggest to go with the hongi and cherry red.  Some Labidochromis caeruleus?

Cherry red and Labidochromis caeruleus can bred but I would do some  Iodotropheus sprengerae ''Rusty'' with the  hongi and cherry red.

[LoveTheFishies]

Any other suggestions.  Not sure I want to do rusty's.  They kind of remind me of my hongi.  Heres a picture of the dominant male I have
I'm looking for a nice mix of color.

[African cichlid Keeper]

You could do some kind of cynotilapia 

[LoveTheFishies]

I was actually looking at one of the cynotilapia afra

[jcunningham0295]

Depending on the size of your current fish, I am white labs at around 1". Also, have some lansticola (my avatar) at around 1" as well.  Not a mbuna seen around too often.

Frontboy7 has some bigger white labs.

[African cichlid Keeper]

I was actually looking at one of the cynotilapia afra

I know that highland tropical and pruess pet has some. 

[LoveTheFishies]

Josh, what is the full name or nickname of the lansticola.  I looked online and couldn't find it.  It looks interesting.  Where can I get info.

Thanks

[African cichlid Keeper]

Josh, what is the full name or nickname of the lansticola.  I looked online and couldn't find it.  It looks interesting.  Where can I get info.

Thanks

 Metriaclima sp. lanisticola 

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=900

[LoveTheFishies]

Thanks, those look interesting.  Have to keep that in the running.

[jcunningham0295]

Thanks, those look interesting.  Have to keep that in the running.

They are listed as a Malawi shell dweller but get 4 to 5" full grown.  Not overly aggressive.  Neat fish.