If you were new to mbunas and had an 180g to stock...

[adechazal]

Hi Folks,
First post! Seasoned aquarist here, brand new to cichlids but I know the basics.  My 180g is just about ready for its first stocking with mbunas (I like their colors and "attitude" versus peacocks/haps).

The reality is, I don't know where to start in picking the type and quantity of mbuna.  Sure I know there are the ones that really can't be combined with others, at least by a beginner, but after that I'm not sure where to start.  I read lots of things about male to female ratios etc.

My plan has been to work with Dave at davesfish, tell him what I like and have him put together a stock list for me.  Any thoughts?  I'm also perfectly willing to stock from local folks but, from my experience in the discus hobby, I'd rather not purchase from the lfs.

So if you have the time I'd like to know:
1. How many do you recommend as an initial stocking quantity?
2. Specific types of mbunas you recommend for the beginner? (this is probably the most important question)
3. Male to female ratios (can you even specify this from a breeder when the fish are very young?)

Thanks!  I'll try to give back to the forum by providing several years of aquatic plant growing history (CO2 injection, fertilizers etc)  I spent many many hours on the Barrreport and Aquaticplantcentral over the years.  My goal is to have an mbuna tank with some greenery in it.  I know they are herbivores!

Thanks
Aaron

[Regalblue]

Are you going to pull any fry produced out of the tank & resell/trade  them?   If not then you can put whatever you like in a 280 provided that there's ample rockwork.

Personally I think a 180 with 100 or so Msobo would be badass.

Once I found out what I want I'd get a hold of Josh Cunningham & see if he can order me what I want. (Since you don't wanna use a LFS) 

[four_by_ken]

Are you going to pull any fry produced out of the tank & resell/trade  them?   If not then you can put whatever you like in a 280 provided that there's ample rockwork.

Personally I think a 180 with 100 or so Msobo would be badass.

Once I found out what I want I'd get a hold of Josh Cunningham & see if he can order me what I want. (Since you don't wanna use a LFS)

I completely agree with all the above.

To add something... I would go with more than what you think you want to have in the end.  I say this because, you will loose some... some will end up submissive and not so pleasing to the eye, etc.  You will end up wanting to get rid of some for whatever reason.

[Rob S]

I'd also plan on hitting the winter auctions as they come around in 2014.

[Sean]

Most mbuna stay fairly small, around 4 or 5" usually, so you can fit a lot of them in sch a large tank. If it were me, I'd find a few I really like, find a place that has them and base the rest off of their list.a couple of my favorite species of mbuna are Williamsi north Makonde blue lips, iodotropheus sprengerae, and metriaclima greshakei. You'd be surprised how many differen mbuna you can find locally. One of the best things you could do is tell is what kind of colors you're looking to get in the tank and let us make a couple suggestions for you

[Regalblue]

One of the best things you could do is tell is what kind of colors you're looking to get in the tank and let us make a couple suggestions for you

We're talking Mbuna.....  So I'm guessing blues &yellows.

[djlamonica]

In an 180 with mbuna don't expect to breed.   200 fish I wouldn't bat an eye, what ever you want.  They will kill and make babies faster then you can catch them and overall just be an udder mess but it will probably be awesome. 

[Sean]

One of the best things you could do is tell is what kind of colors you're looking to get in the tank and let us make a couple suggestions for you

We're talking Mbuna.....  So I'm guessing blues &yellows.

That's true 

[adechazal]

Wow, thanks so much for the quick feedback!  I got in touch with Mr. Cunningham and he's going to send me a proposed stocking list for my aquarium. Ultimately I'm more after color variety than anything else so it sounds like it might be a mix of milder mannered mbunas and some other varieties.

Sounds like a trip down to see Josh is in order in the next week or so.