Mbuna

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Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos displaying behaviour typical of Mbuna.

Mbuna is the common name for a large group of African cichlids from Lake Malawi. The name mbuna means "rockfish" in the language of the Tonga people of Malawi.^[1] As the name implies, mbuna are the cichilds that live among piles of rocks, as opposed to living in the open water like many other haplochromines.

1 Mbuna in aquaria
2 Notable mbuna cichilds
3 Trivia
4 References
5 See also

[edit] Mbuna in aquaria

While many haplochromines tend to be colorful in males and dull in females, both sexes of mbuna often have striking colorations. This is a pair of kenyi cichlids, Maylandia lombardoi.

These cichilds are some of the most colorful freshwater fish for the home aquarium. Mbuna, pronounced with only two syllables, are very aggressive and territorial fish, although they are suitable for beginner fishkeepers who have researched their needs. A suitable aquarium setting includes many rocks, caves and hiding places; plants may be uprooted so they are best avoided but a small number will work well in the aquarium. These include Java fern, which may become the object of mbuna aggression but will not be eaten due to an undesireable taste.

Sand or gravel is the ideal substrate. The hobbyist will want to mix in some sort of so-called "tufa rock" as a pH buffer. However, crushed coral and specially mixed bags of substrate will do. Generally, tanks of no less than 55 gallons are required for mature Mbuna; 29 gallon tanks will work beautifully for juvenile fish but will need to be upgraded as they mature, grow and become more aggressive and territorial (this will occur in just a matter of weeks or months).

These cichlids are usually kept in well filtered, heavily stocked mbuna-specific aquariums. Over-crowding helps spread out the aggression and no particular individual gets picked on to death. They are maternal mouthbrooders and breed readily in good conditions. Mbuna are mostly herbivorous and their diet should consist of low fat foods. Many species will require spirulina, but worms, beefheart, and meaty foods are best avoided.

[edit] Notable mbuna cichilds

Many mbuna cichlids are regularly stocked and sold by pet shops. Some of the most common ones are bumblebee cichlid, auratus cichlid, electric yellow cichlid, red zebra cichlid, and johanni cichlid. Cichlids belonging to any of the genera listed below are usually considered mbuna.

An electric yellow cichlid, Labidochromis caeruleus.

Labeotropheus fuelleborni

Cyathochromis Trewavas 1935
Cynotilapia Regan 1922
Genyochromis Trewavas 1935
Gephyrochromis Boulenger 1901
Iodotropheus Oliver & Loiselle 1972
Labeotropheus Ahl 1926
Labidochromis Trewavas 1935
Maylandia Meyer & Foerster 1984.
Melanochromis Trewavas, 1935
Petrotilapia Trewavas 1935
Pseudotropheus Regan 1922

The list below includes groups of non-mbuna mouthbrooding cichilds from Lake Malawi.

[edit] Trivia

A large tank full of blue and yellow mbuna cichlids can be seen in McNamara/Troy office in the series Nip/Tuck throughout the first season to the middle of the third season when it was replaced with a new tank filled with barbs.