In the fish's eyes, a challenger for his/her territory. In this case the dominant fish has just been faced with a new tankmate. Rival females will do it to eachother as will rival males. However, once you know what you’re doing, everyone will love your tank of vibrant and beautiful mbuna cichlids.It doesn't have to be breeding. Keep in mind that mbuna cichlids, while easy once you get the hang of them, are still fish that can take some getting used to and aren’t recommended for the beginner aquarist. The fish that can be tried are the red-tail shark, giant danios, pleco, scavenger catfish, botia loaches, red rainbow fish, African red eyed tetra, and the leopard bushfish. Don’t be surprised if you never find another fish breed to add. You may need to try a few different kinds, rehoming the ones that don’t work out. You may put a fish in, only to discover your cichlids hate and bully them. What fish go well with cichlids? There are eight fish that are best suited as tankmates – but this isn’t true all the time, however. There are many types of cichlids, and therefore many types of food, so they need a type designed specifically for them – mainly, an algae-based food aimed at herbivores. The best way to avoid this issue is to ensure your mbuna cichlids consume the right foods. Unfortunately, this is almost always fatal. Health Issues with Mbuna Cichlidsīeware of what’s called the “Malawi bloat.” This is when your cichlid’s stomach and neck bloat up and become very firm. They’ll be less likely to leave their little hidey hole and fight, for fear of losing it to any encroaching males. This is also a reason to have a number of rocks built up for hiding spaces, not only for the females but for the males to establish a clear territory. Male cichlids are very aggressive and will defend their territory from any and all perceived threats, especially other males. If you’re not interested in breeding your fish, it’s wise to just have all females. When you get mbuna cichlids, you’re making a decent-sized commitment, as the recommended school size is at least twenty fish, although thirty or forty is even better. There should be at least two females to every male, and you should introduce them all into the tank at the same time, so as to avoid any ganging up on new members. It’s recommended that these fish be kept in large groups, due to their territorial nature. You can achieve this by using an airstone or a Venturi. You should also ensure the water is nice and oxygenated. Your tank should be deep and wide, so that it mimics the conditions of Lake Malawi.
This means a minimum of four feet, but a larger tank would be even better. This means you’ll need a larger tank to accommodate the number and size of your mbuna cichlids.įifty-three gallons minimum is your best bet. Mbuna cichlids are definitely group fish, and they get bigger in captivity than they do in the wild. There’s also the option of buying Malawi cichlid salt to add to the tank, so as to achieve the proper levels as well. It would be a good idea to also include lime-based or calcareous décor to keep the mineral levels of your tank high. People with very hard water will find that their mbuna cichlids will do very well in their tanks. Lake Malawi sits on atop an area with very active tectonic plates, meaning the lake is extremely rich in minerals, resulting in water with a high pH, GH (general hardness), and KH (carbonate hardness).
This means that you’ll need lots of biological and mechanical filtration.
#Female red zebra cichlid free#
They come from a large lake, with clean water that’s rich in oxygen and free of pollutants. The mbuna thrive in water temperatures ranging from 77-84☏, with a pH level ranging from 7.5-8.4, and a ammonium nitrite and ammonia content as close to 0ppm (parts per million) as you can manage.Īnother requirement to their upkeep stems from the mbuna cichlid’s origins. Your mbuna tank requirements will, luckily, be fairly straightforward. They’re basically freshwater reef fish! The most common mbuna cichlids are the red zebra cichlid, the blue zebra, the bumble or hornet cichlid, the golden cichlid, the electric yellow or yellow lab cichlid, and the blue johannii.įor other, more unique kinds, you’ll need to seek out a specialized breeder. Mbuna live in massive groups, and love rocky places to hide. Lake Malawi is an African Great Lake located in Tanzania, and is the ninth largest lake in the world. The mbuna (pronounced um-boo-nah) cichlids, also known as Mbuna African Cichlids, come from Lake Malawi. IMPORTANT NOTE: Read Terms & Conditions before placing the Order!Ībout the Mbuna Cichlid Where do Mbuna Cichlids Come From?
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