Inch Per Gallon Rule?

[michaelh]

Hi guys.just wondering how heavy my mbuna should be stocked?
Unfortunatly im one of "those guys" that cant remember names too well. I know i have yellow labs and 4 blue with black stripes which is probably more placid than the labs,and a green/silver fish that im now looking to up numbers on a bit(and perhaps the others).
Filtration is 3000lph and tank size is 4'x18"x18".
Is there really a rule for overstocking? The tank just looks quite bare at the moment and mbuna seem more active in higher numbers.
Also as a side question does hakari cichlid exel make for a good diet with spirinula flakes? Cheers guys.

 

[M0RPH]

as far as it goes there is no "set" stock level for mbunas......basically the more you have the less likely your are to experiencing aggression.
obviously there are extreames but a sensible fish keeper should have enough sense to say "enough"

 

[doresy]

You know when your Mbuna tank is too over stocked, it looks a total mess! (bit like a tumble dryer with your coloreds going round)

 

[Malawi MaD]

Depends on species most say to overstock but i disagree if you choose your species wisely you can make a more natural looking rift set-up that isn't packed and looks ridiculous IMO. Some species do need slightly higher numbers to spread out the aggression but not excessively high in numbers.

 

[michaelh]

Ok thanks guys. Would i get hung for having say 25 fish in total? So far there is 11 and it looks quite empty tbh. As i said agression isnt a real issue other than the lone fish,however i added 2 more of the same today and they seem to be getting an equal chase from my dominant male (of the whole tank) rather than just the loner already. I think they look great in higher numbers though and would maybe like 8 of each kind of the 3 fish. Does that sound too overstocked?
Just to add i have some more ocean rock to add along as i add new fish (to make more territories)

 

[M0RPH]

rocks are gooooood
a good idea when introducing new fish to an established community is to move the rocks around a bit so all fish are on a more even fin territory wise.

 

[Malawi MaD]

Ok thanks guys. Would i get hung for having say 25 fish in total? So far there is 11 and it looks quite empty tbh. As i said agression isnt a real issue other than the lone fish,however i added 2 more of the same today and they seem to be getting an equal chase from my dominant male (of the whole tank) rather than just the loner already. I think they look great in higher numbers though and would maybe like 8 of each kind of the 3 fish. Does that sound too overstocked?
Just to add i have some more ocean rock to add along as i add new fish (to make more territories)

What species are you thinking and what filtration you running? Plus how long has the tank been running? The 2 new fish will get harassed as their been singled out, as morph said moving the rocks about will help and adding at least 6 or more fish at a time is the best way to avoid new fish been attacked.

 

[michaelh]

Ok thanks guys. Would i get hung for having say 25 fish in total? So far there is 11 and it looks quite empty tbh. As i said agression isnt a real issue other than the lone fish,however i added 2 more of the same today and they seem to be getting an equal chase from my dominant male (of the whole tank) rather than just the loner already. I think they look great in higher numbers though and would maybe like 8 of each kind of the 3 fish. Does that sound too overstocked?
Just to add i have some more ocean rock to add along as i add new fish (to make more territories)

What species are you thinking and what filtration you running? Plus how long has the tank been running? The 2 new fish will get harassed as their been singled out, as morph said moving the rocks about will help and adding at least 6 or more fish at a time is the best way to avoid new fish been attacked.

3000lph (1000lph with internal rest a canister). The new 2 seem to be taking an even amount of chasing. No more than the loner was yesterday. Tank has been running for a year+with changing stocks until a few months ago (always kept mature filters going as always had fish in). The fish are unknown other than yellow labs but not very agressive. Will bear in mind adding 6 fish a time next time just thouht this might cause an ammonia spike although i always do WC just before i get new fish and the next day. Just wanting to make it 8 fish of the 3 species.

 

[Malawi MaD]

Ok, Nope, no ammonia spike ive done this for the years ive kept mbuna and never had one myself. O have WC to which are a lot more temperamental and these too never react bad when adding 6 to 12 at a time. As long as your water is in top condition and monitored then it will be fine. If you do, do a WC then that will help. Ideally need to know the species as you may have issues if you add more, can you get any pics up? 25 will be fine as long as plenty of territories are available and the species aren't going to conflict with each other

 

[michaelh]

Ok, Nope, no ammonia spike ive done this for the years ive kept mbuna and never had one myself. O have WC to which are a lot more temperamental and these too never react bad when adding 6 to 12 at a time. As long as your water is in top condition and monitored then it will be fine. If you do, do a WC then that will help. Ideally need to know the species as you may have issues if you add more, can you get any pics up? 25 will be fine as long as plenty of territories are available and the species aren't going to conflict with each other

well i know i have yellow labs. Ill now go argue with photobucket to get some pics up for ya. Thank you very much for the help mate.

 

[Malawi MaD]

Ok, Nope, no ammonia spike ive done this for the years ive kept mbuna and never had one myself. O have WC to which are a lot more temperamental and these too never react bad when adding 6 to 12 at a time. As long as your water is in top condition and monitored then it will be fine. If you do, do a WC then that will help. Ideally need to know the species as you may have issues if you add more, can you get any pics up? 25 will be fine as long as plenty of territories are available and the species aren't going to conflict with each other

well i know i have yellow labs. Ill now go argue with photobucket to get some pics up for ya. Thank you very much for the help mate.

Ok no worries and your welcome

 

[michaelh]

hes all speckled all over with orange-yellow bottom fins and a dark stripe across the length of the top fin. Body is silvery in colour.

this guys is a simple light blue with dark blue-black stripes vertically down the whole body but NONE on the head.

Any ideas as to what they are?

 

[Malawi MaD]

The first pic looks a little like a labidochromis chisumulae but not a 100% sure. The 2nd pic could be a metriaclima lombardoi going by what you say been a slight blue colour but these can have the 1 or 2 black stripes on the head. In the 2nd pic it to looks a little like gallireya reef long pelvic female going by the stripes and the 2 black lines on the tail fin again not 100% sure.

 

[michaelh]

The first pic looks a little like a labidochromis chisumulae but not a 100% sure. The 2nd pic could be a metriaclima lombardoi going by what you say been a slight blue colour but these can have the 1 or 2 black stripes on the head. In the 2nd pic it to looks a little like gallireya reef long pelvic female going by the stripes and the 2 black lines on the tail fin again not 100% sure.

Tbh ive always said the first guy looks like sombody just painted my yellow lab. Hes the exact same shame and very similar in attitude tbh.
Arnt gallireya reef's quite snappy usually? These guys are pretty calm but still active. Thankyou very much for the ID's though. I shall now head to google to compare as i know my pics arnt great. Thanks again.

 

[michaelh]

http/malawicichlids.com/mw09002.htm
looks EXACTLY like this other than my big guy has an orange tinge on his bottom fins.