Need help w breeding mbuna cichlids

Ellllo everybody! I'm having difficulty to breed mbuna cichlids. So I need help

nitrite-0
ammonia-0
nitrate-20-40
ph-8.2

it's 55 gallon and it houses 18 cichlids and one huge regular plecostomus ( raised him)

I have two filters- 1,500 cascade filter and hang on back whisper 30i

one heater- cobalt 200 watts

tempature always at 78 ( stable)

three huge texas holey rocks, and 15 cichlid stones with a log of driftwood for plecostomus.

sand as my substrate.

I need help. I really want to breed mbuna cichlid but it seem like I'm having difficulty? Any advices or suggestions would be appreciated!

I had had no problem with breeding my convict cichlids in there but not mbuna cichlids, thanks again.

 

What fish do you have in there?

 

Well looking at the pictures looks like you don't have the proper breeding ratios and too many fish. You only want two species and if is a regular pleco it will outgrow your tank. To get them to breed in a 55. You need 2 species with 1 male to 4/5females of each.

 

Well looking at the pictures looks like you don't have the proper breeding ratios and too many fish. You only want two species and if is a regular pleco it will outgrow your tank. To get them to breed in a 55. You need 2 species with 1 male to 4/5females of each.

Well it is kinda of pointless because they would cross breed with others anyway. And why are you worrying about my plecostomus? I have an plan for it. And 18 isn't that too many as you need to over crowd to avoid fighting and stuff.

Two rusty, 5 yellow labs, two covicts, two albino Snow White scoffoli, two baby nyerie, full orange ( came from assorted tank), yellow/black ( forgot name) , black cichlid with blue strips, and two cichlid that was given to me on my birthday.

 

And I thought my mix was bad lol are you sure you have females

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And I thought my mix was bad are you sure you have females

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yes of course I do. And how dare you calling my mix bad.

 

I didn't mean they're bad fish I ment bad mix like too many different species but I can't really talk I have 4 different kinds and I'm betting my holding female crossbread idk what to tell you though I didn't really do a whole lot right when I set up my tank cause I knew nothing about cichlids but I've somehow got one holding not from me trying though

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I would bet if you moved a couple of the different species out then upped the female count for the ones staying in the tank you'd get some breeding then

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I didn't mean they're bad fish I ment bad mix like too many different species but I can't really talk I have 4 different kinds and I'm betting my holding female crossbread idk what to tell you though I didn't really do a whole lot right when I set up my tank cause I knew nothing about cichlids but I've somehow got one holding not from me trying though

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hey bro, I'm sorry for snapping at you. I had a bad day today so last thing I want is somebody calling me horrible at fish keeper. I would gladly move fish out but problem is I don't have spare tank. Except 40 breeder but it's holding full tropical fish. Best thing I could do is add more females and let them breed?

I would bet if you moved a couple of the different species out then upped the female count for the ones staying in the tank you'd get some breeding then

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I loved all my fish I had with all my heart. To be honest I started into cichlid keeping like 3 months ago. Newbie here lol so I would having hard time giving up the fish I have because they're awesome and I paid $30 each. Lol

 

No worries tone gets lost in text I reread it and thought I better throw a lol in there to show I wasn't being mean about it but you got to it before I could anyway I don't think throwing more in there would be the greatest idea without moving some out first with 18 already in there plus your pleco I personally think it'd be too crowded ideally in a 55 you'd want 2 species that won't crossbreed with 1 male to 5 or so females for each species totalling 12 cichlids

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I loved all my fish I had with all my heart. To be honest I started into cichlid keeping like 3 months ago. Newbie here lol so I would having hard time giving up the fish I have because they're awesome and I paid $30 each. Lol

Ya I know the feeling I'm having a hard time giving up the couple of mine I need to too (even the big bully) and like you new to cichlids but if you get the right mix they'll be happier with less aggression and a bigger chance of breeding btw leodiaz really knows his cichlids

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Ya I know the feeling I'm having a hard time giving up the couple of mine I need to too (even the big bully) and like you new to cichlids but if you get the right mix they'll be happier with less aggression and a bigger chance of breeding btw leodiaz really knows his cichlids

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If I were to give up my cichlids. Would I get money back? No because that's like about $400 waste. Unless of course I get full money back for what I paid then I would have no problem. And the pleco isn't going to stay there that long anyway.

 

Is another tank an option I know how much all this stuff loses value and hate for you to be out all that money

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If possible could you get another 55 then put your labs in add another female lab then pick another species to put in and add enough females to get the ratio right that tank would have allot better chances of breeding and you wouldn't lose any fish

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If possible could you get another 55 then put your labs in add another female lab then pick another species to put in and add enough females to get the ratio right that tank would have allot better chances of breeding and you wouldn't lose any fish

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Ph another 55 gallon would be nice. But no I can't get any more tanks. The 55 gallon is only one I could house cichlid in. I do have hospital tank but no..

 

Well if another tank isn't an option and you can't move fish you're kinda stuck where you are which is a bummer but maybe you'll get lucky your labs may have a pretty good chance since you've got 5

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Well it is kinda of pointless because they would cross breed with others anyway. And why are you worrying about my plecostomus? I have an plan for it. And 18 isn't that too many as you need to over crowd to avoid fighting and stuff.

They won't crossbreed if you pick your species correctly, that thing about overcrowding always messes newbies up 12fish is already over crowding 12 5in fish is a lot. Also I'm sorry to say this but $30 per fish is a ripoff. I get my rarer species/or WC for that price. So getting Wat you paid will be really hard to do unless you can somehow return all to the store.also mbunas should only be with mbunas no other types of cichlids.

 

They won't crossbreed if you pick your species correctly, that thing about overcrowding always messes newbies up 12fish is already over crowding 12 5in fish is a lot. Also I'm sorry to say this but $30 per fish is a ripoff. I get my rarer species/or WC for that price. So getting Wat you paid will be really hard to do unless you can somehow return all to the store.also mbunas should only be with mbunas no other types of cichlids.

Yeah I know about mbuna being with mbuna. But I got one friend who had 55 gallon with 50-60 cichlids ( peacocks, haps, mbuna, and South America) it's way overcrowded but he never had any problem with fighting or breeding, almost all of his females were pregnant ( holding). Problem is he never had any 5 or more in same species ( EX: Snow White scoffolI ) he only have one. Maybe two?

 

Yeah I know about mbuna being with mbuna. But I got one friend who had 55 gallon with 50-60 cichlids ( peacocks, haps, mbuna, and South America) it's way overcrowded but he never had any problem with fighting or breeding, almost all of his females were pregnant ( holding). Problem is he never had any 5 or more in same species ( EX: Snow White scoffolI ) he only have one. Maybe two?

Well 50/60 fish is way overcrowded not even my 125g has that many fish. How are they going to fight if there so many they can't even enjoy there tank. The water quality in that tank must have been amazing...

 

Well 50/60 fish is way overcrowded not even my 125g has that many fish. How are they going to fight if there so many they can't even enjoy there tank. The water quality in that tank must have been amazing...

Yeah actually, the water is crystal clear and he let me test his water with ApI master test kit. ( I know how to use it) 0.25 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 40 nitrate.

He does water change everyday. Anyway that's not the point.

I just don't want to give up the ones I have. Unless I get my money back. I would only keep rusty, albino Snow White scoffoli, and whatever else. If I were to keep only three those fish would be my choice. But I'm not giving up all my fish unless there is another way lol..

I guess. Unless I get lucky and they will breed. But who knows.

 

Yeah actually, the water is crystal clear and he let me test his water with ApI master test kit. ( I know how to use it) 0.25 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 40 nitrate.

He does water change everyday. Anyway that's not the point.

I just don't want to give up the ones I have. Unless I get my money back. I would only keep rusty, albino Snow White scoffoli, and whatever else. If I were to keep only three those fish would be my choice. But I'm not giving up all my fish unless there is another way lol..

I guess. Unless I get lucky and they will breed. But who knows.

That explains a water change everyday is to much work for nothing. I do once a week and I can go 2weeks without an issue. Well GL you figure out what to do, I told you how to get them to breed in a 55 gallon the proper way. I don't breed cichlids for nothing..

 

That explains a water change everyday is to much work for nothing. I do once a week and I can go 2weeks without an issue. Well GL you figure out what to do, I told you how to get them to breed in a 55 gallon the proper way. I don't breed cichlids for nothing..

Thank you for your luck. But I'm not giving up my fish just only to get them breed. its like getting my male cat. Five females just only for breeding. Not as pet.

 

Is not to get them to breed only but to keep there aggression down if There in the proper ratios the amount fighting is keep to a minimum. No need to overstock IMO proper ratio is more important. Can you atleast rehome the none Mbuna.

 

Is not to get them to breed only but to keep there aggression down if There in the proper ratios the amount fighting is keep to a minimum. No need to overstock IMO proper ratio is more important. Can you atleast rehome the none Mbuna.

Ok ok, if I re home nine mbuna. $270 down the drain then I buy more species. Make it $400 down the drain. I never had any problem with aggressive so far.

Is not to get them to breed only but to keep there aggression down if There in the proper ratios the amount fighting is keep to a minimum. No need to overstock IMO proper ratio is more important. Can you atleast rehome the none Mbuna.

I know I sound so shellfish but mbuna cichlids are expensive. And I would have hard time letting go some cichlids. Like full orange one, and yellow/ black one. Loved them to death.

 

Ok ok, if I re home nine mbuna. $270 down the drain then I buy more species. Make it $400 down the drain. I never had any problem with aggressive so far.

Aggression will come once the males want to breed and take control of the tank. And if your ratios are bad it will be worst. Ex. You only have 1m and 1f of certain species well once that male want to breed he is going to harass that female. He will breed with her but once she holding he will want to breed again and harass her till she dies or eats her eggs. That's why you have many females to male so he can spread his aggression and have many females to breed with. The money well that's not my problem you should research more before buying. And go find that store that's ripping you off $30 for a fish I will sell for $3.

Not trying to be rude but I'm "know" to reply back in a way that seems rude.

 

You list two "covicts"; I am guessing that those are Convicts. Those are not african, much less Mbuna. They are the least appropriate for that tank, and are the most likely to spawn if you have a male and a female. And I must agree that you severely overpaid for the fish you have.

I would suggest you go to cichlid forum. They will tell you pretty much the same things that LeoDiaz has told you, perhaps with more detailed explanation, as they are much more experienced. However, you need to accept that you made some major errors, and fixing them will cost you money. You need to fix them for the health and safety of the fish, which you say you care about.

 

You list two "covicts"; I am guessing that those are Convicts. Those are not african, much less Mbuna. They are the least appropriate for that tank, and are the most likely to spawn if you have a male and a female. And I must agree that you severely overpaid for the fish you have.

I would suggest you go to cichlid forum. They will tell you pretty much the same things that LeoDiaz has told you, perhaps with more detailed explanation, as they are much more experienced. However, you need to accept that you made some major errors, and fixing them will cost you money. You need to fix them for the health and safety of the fish, which you say you care about.

no heck, I know I have breeding pair convict. I'm sure as heck I know they're South America fish. Not mbuna. They were in there for cycling and ended up being kept in there. Yea I know I overpaid for my cichlids. Spending even more money to fix my "major" error which is waste of my time. I'm going to leave them in there.

 

no heck, I know I have breeding pair convict. I'm sure as heck I know they're South America fish. Not mbuna. They were in there for cycling and ended up being kept in there. Yea I know I overpaid for my cichlids. Spending even more money to fix my "major" error which is waste of my time. I'm going to leave them in there.

If you don't want to fix it that's fine by me, but why come asking for help if your not going to take the advice given?

 

Aggression will come once the males want to breed and take control of the tank. And if your ratios are bad it will be worst. Ex. You only have 1m and 1f of certain species well once that male want to breed he is going to harass that female. He will breed with her but once she holding he will want to breed again and harass her till she dies or eats her eggs. That's why you have many females to male so he can spread his aggression and have many females to breed with. The money well that's not my problem you should research more before buying. And go find that store that's ripping you off $30 for a fish I will sell for $3.

Not trying to be rude but I'm "know" to reply back in a way that seems rude.

I did not say it was your problem. And I don't know what you mean about " and go find that store that's ripping you off $30 for a fish I will sell for $3?

 

I did not say it was your problem. And I don't know what you mean about " and go find that store that's ripping you off $30 for a fish I will sell for $3?

To go talk to them and see if you can return them or something.

 

If you don't want to fix it that's fine by me, but why come asking for help if your not going to take the advice given?

I was going to take advices that were given to me. But your approaches was rude ( ish) and open right off the bat saying your tank is bad which would hurt anybody feelings.

 

I was going to take advices that were given to me. But your approaches was rude ( ish) and open right off the bat saying your tank is bad which would hurt anybody feelings.

I didn't say it was bad krack499 said somethings like that not me. look at the older post.

 

I didn't say it was bad krack499 said somethings like that not me. look at the older post.

Ok sorry, but the point is you acted like I did horrible job on raising cichlids.

 

I'm sorry my joke was taken as me calling your tank bad that wasn't my intentions I just ment that that was a whole lot of species in one tank I'm not judging you as I too messed up when I set up my tank and don't wanna lose the money I put into my fish

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I'd just be careful....Is it worse to return a fish without getting repayment, or is it worse to watch your fish kill each other due to improper ratios/whatever (I don't keep cichlids). If LeoDiaz says that the cichlids will get very aggressive when they want to breed, I'd believe him...Keep an eye out!