They come from a large lake, with clean water that’s rich in oxygen and free of pollutants. In South American rainforests there is a group of small fish, usually called dwarf cichlids. For the best … Most of the Mbuna species with formal scientific names — and many without them — are now illustrated at this site; see list below. Your mbuna tank requirements will, luckily, be fairly straightforward. This is a complete Lake Malawi Cichlid care guide, with all related information like tank requirements, feeding, health issues, treatment and choosing the right Mbuna / Peacock Cichlid. Mbunas is a word in the dialect of the Tonga people of Malawi, who live on the northern part of the country, along the shores of Lake Malawi, near Nkhata bay. Mbuna, a type of African cichlid famous for their striking colors and behavior, is endemic to Lake Malawi. Electric blue cichlid. Also you will need to be careful how many to buy and what species play well with other species. These are generally somewhat larger and more peaceful than the Zebra (mbuna) cichlids. Food should be mostly Vegetarian based (algae-spirulina) with alternation (1-2 days per week) of food that is a bit richer in animal protein once every few days. They require a certain type … Aquarium must be long and wide, height is non-important for mbunas as they prefer actual square footage over levels. Some of the top Mbuna cichlids in the aquarium hobby include the following: 1. The … Every species explained and detailed. This means a minimum of four feet, but a larger tank would be even better. It is the 9th largest lake in the world and is located between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. Beware of what’s called the “Malawi bloat.” This is when your cichlid’s stomach and neck bloat up and become very firm. Mbuna cichlids are definitely group fish, and they get bigger in captivity than they do in the wild. You’re in luck! Lake Malawi is one of the three rift lakes of Eastern Africa, along with Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria, and stretches 360 miles from north to south. You should also ensure the water is nice and oxygenated. They’re basically freshwater reef fish! Browse our latest freshwater fish profiles below. Notable mbuna cichlids Peacock cichlids ( Aulonocara species) Utaka cichlids Other genera such as Rhamphochromis But in order to see that behavior and understand it you will need to do some reading about the different genus and species so you will understand how to keep them and how to successfully breed them. Their bodies are made … Plenty of rocks. Many common and rare aquarium species of African cichlid… Unfortunately, this is almost always fatal. A more complete Checklist of the Mbuna Species Flock (with every Mbuna species … Click here to see many more color varieties of Trewavasae. This setup will be large, well-filtered and have many protected niches for males to claim and defend. Lake Malawi is the home of more species of fish than any other lake in the world, including over 1000 species of cichlids. Albino Pseudotropheus socolofi, Mbuna Malawi African Cichlid. However, once you know what you’re doing, everyone will love your tank of vibrant and beautiful mbuna cichlids. They’re also highly territorial. What fish go well with cichlids? The body coloration is variable. This site is part of the Amazon affiliate program. The body coloration is variable. Colorful, interesting, and with unique personalities, this species of fish can enhance any fish tank set-up, so long as they’re properly cared for. Auratus Cichlid (Melanochromis auratus) 7. Fine sand as gravel. Keeping cichlids from the same region together is also recommended. The zebra cichlid is one of the most popular among mbuna cichlids. 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. Kribensis Cichlid. They like warm water ranging from 76 and 82 degrees F (22-26 C). Clown Lab Cichlid (Labidochromis chisumulae… This means that you’ll need lots of biological and mechanical filtration. Keeping/Maintenance requirements. Mbuna Cichlids are some of the cheaper fish available on the market. For … Sort by Featured … The upperparts may be rusty brown … From $ 10.99. They live amongst the rocks, in comparison to non-mbunas, like the utaka, who live in op… These are wonderful fishes with most interesting behavior. Mbuna Cichlid Pictures: the pictures to the left show some of the varieties of this species. Mbuna cichlids are a must-have for any freshwater aquarium. Often they are sold with only a common name (e.g., Red Top Zebra, Electric Blue) or even worse, in an unlabeled tank they mysteriously referred to as "Misc African cichlids". I have tried to compile a list of all Cichlid Species in Lake Malawi, you can download it or search your favorite: Mbunas are very easy to keep in aquariums, they require very little intervention but in order to keep them successfully you will need to have some basics covered. The name Mbuna translates to "Rock Fish", as they like to reside in and around rocks. The Mbuna group can be broken down into several genus levels: These genus contain countless species and new one are discovered by expeditions and scientists. Tanganyikan cichlids range from mildly aggressive to downright belligerent, and generally will not do well in a peaceful community tank (with a few notable exceptions). Another requirement to their upkeep stems from the mbuna cichlid’s origins. Remember to scroll down on each picture page to see the caption and any additional figures. However, mbuna is a common name for a whole lot of varieties, and the name itself simply means “rockfish”. For instance, mbuna and peacock cichlids … Cobalt Blue Zebra, (Maylandia callainos) Mbuna Malawi African Cichlid. Latest addition: A new species of Maylandia, M. koningsi Below is an alphabetical checklist of all scientifically described and named species in the Mbuna species flock of Malawi haplochromine cichlids… You may need to try a few different kinds, rehoming the ones that don’t work out. Bumblebee Cichlid (Pseudotropheus crabro) 5. Number one is space, they love to have space to hide, court and fight, thus a large aquarium is required. Many species are considerably less aggressive than their Lake Malawian cousins, and are likely to be victims of more aggressive Malawi mbuna … By Maha Dinesh (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 licence). Click on each picture to see a bigger picture. Lake Malawi Cichlids include the Mbuna and Peacock Cichlids. People with very hard water will find that their mbuna cichlids will do very well in their tanks. Use only fine sand for them, since they are always digging around, a fine sand will make them more prone to behave like in nature. (Sciaenochromis fryeri) Though not actually that closely related to the electric … The mbuna (pronounced um-boo-nah) cichlids, also known as Mbuna African Cichlids, come from Lake Malawi. The Zebra Cichlids, also known as the Mbuna Cichlids, are endemic to Lake Malawi. Other Malawi Cichlids - These include Utaka Cichlids which tend to live in open waters. By Lee Nachtigal (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 licence). A minimum 75 gallons (300 liters) is what I would recommend as a bare minimum. If you run a freshwater aquarium, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for bringing it to life! You may put a fish in, only to discover your cichlids hate and bully them. Common names are very … The tank lighting should be minimal. 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. Get notifications on latest post as they are posted. PD: This species has a "typical" mbuna shape, though its mouth is smaller and head has a smooth slope. Do you have any tips on mbuna cichlid care? The Mbuna group is endemic to Lake Malawi; their name stands for rock-dweller in the native language, so these fish are most at home among large rocks along the shoreline of the lake. Lake Tanganyika Cichlids Lake Tanganyika, the second deepest lake in the world, is inhabited with almost 250 different species of cichlids and over 150 species … This way you will limit aggression and you will be able to see how they behave in nature. Mbuna is a term used to group species of Lake Malawi cichlids according to their DNA and certain physical properties such as their dentition . 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. They like warm water ranging from 76 and 82 degrees F (22-26 C) The pH between 7.8 and 8.6. Maximum of 1 mm diameter for sand. Placidochromis Phenochilus Mdoka “White Lips”, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMajNKJfMDo, Placidochromis Phenochilus Mdoka "White Lips". The word can be translated in English as “rock fish”. Mbunas are a large group of Cichlids known best for their lively (aggressive) demeanor active personality. Water changes should be done each week 50% to keep water quality. Your tank should be deep and wide, so that it mimics the conditions of Lake Malawi. Most mbunas should be kept in extended families of 2-3 males (one dominant and 2 subdominant males) paired with 7-10 females. The water hardness should be hard. Cichlids for Sale Malawi Cichlids Haplochromis Electric Blue Blue Dolphin Venustus Eye-Biter Malawi Peacock Malawi Mbuna Acei Auratus Cichlid EB Johanni Cobalt Blue Greshakei Ndumbi Clown Afra … 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. You can achieve this by using an airstone or a Venturi. Don’t be surprised if you never find another fish breed to add. Kribensis are one of the most colorful cichlid subspecies. Initially, the mbuna cichlids belonged to the Pseudotropheus genus, but this is no longer the case as they have been … They’ll be less likely to leave their little hidey hole and fight, for fear of losing it to any encroaching males. Thanks for supporting our site. … Aquarium hobbyists crave Mbunas mostly due to the beautiful coloring that they present; while most of them have males that are colorful, there are over 100 species that have females also colored. Some of the most popular cichlid species from Lake Malawi include Mbuna cichlids and peacock cichlids. Food should be … Blue Zebra Cichlid (Maylandia callainos) 6. 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. Copyright © document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); – FishCareGuide.com, By Toby Hudson (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 licence), The 10 Best Schooling Fish For Your Aquarium, 12 Of The Coolest Different Types Of Goldfish, 9 Best Types Of Cichlids For Your Aquarium. Try to read before buying a species, you will see that there are some of them that grow only to 6 cm and some gro upwards to 15 cm. Male cichlids are very aggressive and will defend their territory from any and all perceived threats, especially other males. 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. The most famous is probably mbuna cichlid, and for a reason. Red Zebra Cichlid (Maylandia estherae) 3. Yellow and orange are common mbuna colours but importantly, and rarely for any wild-type tropical fish is blue, and this is where the mbuna excel, with literally hundreds of bright blue … This channel is based on my love & hobby for exotic pets and nature. As already mentioned, cichlids … Their name means “rockfish” in the language of the Tonga people of Malawi. The Amazon River is home to lots of South American cichlids, but some species can be found in slow moving streams across the continent, and even up into Central America. This means you’ll need a larger tank to accommodate the number and size of your mbuna cichlids. Mbuna live in massive groups, and love rocky places to hide. 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). Yellow Lab Cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus) 2. Here you’ll find a definitive guide to the care of mbuna cichlids in your home aquarium, so you can dive right into enjoying your new pet! They come in different shapes and sizes; most of them are adapted to grazing algae from the rocky habitat and are all vegetarian with very few exceptions that are omnivore and 1 single genus piscivore. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The eyes can even pop a bit. Even if you feel there are enough rocks there, you can always add more, the fish will be grateful. There are eight fish that are best suited as tankmates – but this isn’t true all the time, however. This is a popular group of very active and aggressive personalities, made up of 12 genera and many species.The Mbuna group are attractive rock dwelling cichlids. A species tank or a biotope setup housing only Mbuna Cichlids creates an impressive display. Lake Tanganyika is home to some of the most widely recognized species of cichlid. See more ideas about mbuna cichlids, cichlids, african cichlids. There’s also the option of buying Malawi cichlid salt to add to the tank, so as to achieve the proper levels as well. While not as cheap as goldfish, you can still get your money’s worth, as they range anywhere from $3.99 each to $23.99. The mbuna thrive in water temperatures ranging from 77-84°F, 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. The best way to avoid this issue is to ensure your mbuna cichlids consume the right foods. Please note: this does not affect the price you pay. If you’re not interested in breeding your fish, it’s wise to just have all females. Here’s a video showing an example of a mbuna cichlid aquarium and more details on these fish. It all depends on where you buy your fish and how vibrant you want their coloring to be. 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. There are over 100 species of Mbuna cichlid but some of them are more popular than others for the home aquarium. Fifty-three gallons minimum is your best bet. It would be a good idea to also include lime-based or calcareous décor to keep the mineral levels of your tank high. Oct 20, 2016 - Explore Bridget's board "Mbuna Cichlids" on Pinterest. We earn commission for purchases made through our links. For other, more unique kinds, you’ll need to seek out a specialized breeder. Because cichlids are mostly aggressive, they are generally not community fish and only do best in species tanks. All Mbuna species… All about the Cichlidae family fishes. I love mbunas and they are the kind of fish that will make you read more about them and make you want to research them so you can understand all the behavior that they depict in aquariums. Here we profile some of the world’s most popular freshwater fish species, from the Neon Tetra to the Pearl Gourami. It’s recommended that these fish be kept in large groups, due to their territorial nature. Foe example a single neon for a 75 gallon is enough since they prefer dimmer lights compared to high intensity ones. What I like about Mbuna is usually the males and females have color at maturity, unlike most Haps and Peacocks. Namely, these Lake Malawi beauties are one the most colorful fish species. Lake Malawi is an African Great Lake located in Tanzania, and is the ninth largest lake in the world. Some that can be kept with several different species and some that are prone to aggression towards others. Golden Cichlid (Melanochromis auratus) 4. Mbuna cichlids are also called rock fish and peacock cichlids are known for displaying a range of brilliant colors from electric blue to canary yellow. You have seen them most likely in videos where there are hundreds of them bunched in one place, but contrary to this, they are very territorial and very few species tend to school together; but since the real-estate of the rock areas are in high demand they will often be found in clusters.