Switching From Sa To African

[ashlerbam]

46g bow front.
filtration:cascade filter 500
emperor 280
hydro sponge filter 4 powered with a powerhead, marineland 600 penguin

I'm looking to redo my tank. Switch up my planted SA to a stonescape with african cichlids. Can anyone recommend a couple groups to put into the tank. I was thinking a few yellow labs 3-5. And something else to add color variation. Any suggestions welcomed. The africans I am hoping to have but in a bigger tank are the lake tang. featherfins. But that will be another topic when I get a larger tank. Oh and right now I am mainly looking for mbuna cichlids suggestions. Thanks!

 

[KittyKat]

It's a bit on the small side for Africans.. but what about a species tank of Labidochromis textilis? Or a few Labidochromis textilis and three or so female yellow labs? Or a species tank of Pseudotropheus demasoni?

 

[ashlerbam]

It's a bit on the small side for Africans.. but what about a species tank of Labidochromis textilis? Or a few Labidochromis textilis and three or so female yellow labs? Or a species tank of Pseudotropheus demasoni?

thanks for the suggestion! I will look to see if I cant find a local breeder of the texilis. Very nice looking fish. I'm not to set on the yellow labs but have heard they are an easy species to inter mix with another mbuna type. I would like a multi color tank though. I am also unsure on the total amount of fish. I was thinking 4 of one and 4 of another. 1m 3f of each type. If I can get a good idea on sex before purchase.

 

[SlyPolak]

It's a bit on the small side for Africans.. but what about a species tank of Labidochromis textilis? Or a few Labidochromis textilis and three or so female yellow labs? Or a species tank of Pseudotropheus demasoni?

thanks for the suggestion! I will look to see if I cant find a local breeder of the texilis. Very nice looking fish. I'm not to set on the yellow labs but have heard they are an easy species to inter mix with another mbuna type. I would like a multi color tank though. I am also unsure on the total amount of fish. I was thinking 4 of one and 4 of another. 1m 3f of each type. If I can get a good idea on sex before purchase.

go for some labs and rustys....

 

[demasonisrule]

Demasonis and yellow labs...it's the way to go! Demasonis are great, they have great color, and they are soooo fun to watch, and add in the yellow labs for some color variation, as you said, and voila, Beastest tank evar! Just so you know, by the way, your tank is a bit on the small side for mbuna...

 

[KittyKat]

It's a bit on the small side for Africans.. but what about a species tank of Labidochromis textilis? Or a few Labidochromis textilis and three or so female yellow labs? Or a species tank of Pseudotropheus demasoni?

thanks for the suggestion! I will look to see if I cant find a local breeder of the texilis. Very nice looking fish. I'm not to set on the yellow labs but have heard they are an easy species to inter mix with another mbuna type. I would like a multi color tank though. I am also unsure on the total amount of fish. I was thinking 4 of one and 4 of another. 1m 3f of each type. If I can get a good idea on sex before purchase.

Hmm, textilis are not the brightest fish ever... but you could easily keep 6+ because they are quite peaceful.. maybe even 10 or so without a problem, if your filter is up to it. I must advise against keeping male labs because they will breed like rabbits.. but without males, you'll miss out on half the fun, so it is up to you.

Demasonis and yellow labs...it's the way to go! Demasonis are great, they have great color, and they are soooo fun to watch, and add in the yellow labs for some color variation, as you said, and voila, Beastest tank evar! Just so you know, by the way, your tank is a bit on the small side for mbuna...

That's what I keep nowadays: demasoni and labs, they look great together. For a tank that size, recommend 10-12 demasoni and 3 labs (or 4 if you decide to go for a male as well), if you want to keep both.

 

[ashlerbam]

I'm thinking of doing a single species tank of Pseudotropheus saulosi. As suggested to me on another forum. Pseudotropheus saulosi seems like it would fit nicely with what I'm looking for.

Going to try something like 3m 9f. And the LFS has a few different types of sydo cats. So I might get a couple of those for the bottom.

Thank you for the suggestions here. They all perk interest and when I have room for upgrades I will for sure own some of them!