Mbuna in a 10 gallon?

[325Pilot]

I am looking for something to do with my extra 10 gallon tank. I have seen some very cool colored Mbuna in dealers tanks that only grow to about 3". I have heard different tank size reccomendations, I beleive because of aggression, so I am wondering if it would be possible to keep any number of small Mbunas in the 10 gallon? The ones that I am particularly interested in are Melanochromis Auratus.

 

[gixer]

too small...sorry.

dont do it..no matter what some1 tells you.

 

[JeremyD]

Nope.

Smallest I'd recommend for any mbuna is a 29g, and even then, the species recommedations would be very limited.

 

[vantgE]

Could find some very cool shell-dwellers that would work instead

 

[yhbae]

None of the mbuna are recomended in a tank that small, especially not Melanochromis Auratus, which is one of the most aggressive!

Smallest is a 2.5ft tank, and in this tank, you are not going to fit much. You really need at least 3ft tank, and even then your choices are severly restricted. This is what I have...

 

[yhbae]

As vantgE suggested, you should look into shell dwellers, such as N Multies or N Brevis. One of the smaller species from Julidochromis might work as well but in all cases, you need to stick to one species.

 

[325Pilot]

I have looked into the shell dwellers, but I really love the species of Mbuna I mentioned previously. Is the only reason for the tank reccomedation aggression? If so, would I be able to keep one in this tank? I am assuming that if they are so aggressive, they wouldn't mind being alone.

Thanks

 

[yhbae]

That is an interesting question... I never considered keeping only one fish in a "mbuna tank"...

Sorry, I'm afraid my knowledge in mbuna stops there... (I suspect the answer is still no, since auratus still grows too large in a 10g tank)

 

[Zippy]

I would say that if you are that interested in keeping mbuna, then get a bigger tank, there is no way you can comfortable keep mbuna (any) in a 10g tank. If you can't get a bigger tank, then you will have to get mbuna out of your head and maybe as suggested go with shellies.

 

[gixer]

can't we please have a pinned topic in the forum stating!

A TEN GALLON TANK IS TOO SMALL FOR ANY MBUNA,, infact any cichlids except shell dwellers

it crops up all the time.
I'm sure a sticky would be a good idea.

 

[DanL]

...infact any cichlids except shell dwellers...

not all shell dwellers work in a 10 gallon

 

[gixer]

...infact any cichlids except shell dwellers...

not all shell dwellers work in a 10 gallon

you knew what i meant

 

[DanL]

...infact any cichlids except shell dwellers...

not all shell dwellers work in a 10 gallon

you knew what i meant

I was just clarifying for those that dont know...



no offense to you...