Excuse my dumbness, I'm still relatively new to fish, but what are dither
fish? Thanks.

Sarah

"Amateur Cichlids" wrote in message
m...

"Christopher Kollmann" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I'm starting a 55 gallon Mbuna tank. After doing some research,
especially on www.cichlid-forum.com, I was thinking of stocking the
following mix of fish:

4 Labidochromis caeruleus
4 Pseudotropheus socolofi
3 Synodontis multipunctatus

Will these fish get along together? Is this stocking level good? The
tank is heavily decorated with rocks, with many hiding places. Any
other suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Chris Kollmann


Chris,
As Netmax stated, most of the Mbuna do better in a 75 gallon tank. If
you're going with a 55 gallon, consider some of the smaller Mbuna instead
of the Pseudotropheus species. Even the dwarf species of Mbuna can be a
bit aggressive for a 55. You may be better off with Cynotilapia or
Iodotropheus species. Another option would be to mix some Aulonocara with
the yellow labids. Many of the Labidochromis species, like the caeruleus
are insectivores. They eat a mix of algae and insects from the biocover.
This allows them to have a more varied diet where most of the other Mbuna
species need a diet primarily vegetarian in nature.
A note on the P. socolofi. Netmax mentioned them as dwarf Mbuna. In the
wild these fish obtain lengths of about three inches. Most of the P.
socolofi in the trade right now are tank raised. In tanks, these fish have
been recorded up to lengths of six inches or more. Not exactly a dwarf
Mbuna at that size. Also, when purchasing P. socolofi, be certain you're
getting the right fish. They are found in the wild in a couple locations
along side Metriaclima aurora and visibly look identical. It's easy to
catch small M. aurora and mistake them for P. socolofi.
As for dither fish, I've moved away from them in my tanks now. Once the
fish are used to you, they're out enough to not have to worry about it. If
you build up the rock work enough in the tank, the fish will cover the
entire range. If you stick with Mbuna and do 6 L. caeruleus, (1m/2f) and
do say 6 Cynotilapia afra (2m/4f) with lots of rock work, the tank will be
alive with activity.
Just my thoughts.
Tim (aka AmateurCichlids)
www.fishaholics.org