Mbuna - WikiHQ

thumb|250px|[[Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos displaying behaviour typical of mbuna]]

Mbuna (pronounced boo-nuh (the "m" is silent), though some pronounce it umm-boo-nuh ) is the common name for a large group of African cichlids from Lake Malawi, and are members of the haplochromine tribe within the family Cichlidae. The name mbuna means "rockfish" in the language of the Tonga people of Malawi. As the name implies, most mbuna are cichlids that live among the piles of rocks and along the rocky shores of Lake Malawi, as opposed to the utaka, cichlids that live in the open water or on sandy shores or soft substrates. Some species of mbuna are highly sexually dimorphic, although many are not. Almost all of the cichlid species of Lake Malawi, including mbuna and non mbuna such as the utaka, are believed to have descended from one or a very few species that became isolated in the lake. With rising water levels, new habitats could be colonized and the many isolated rocky outcrops allowed new mbuna species to form. Their striking colors, intriguing behavioral characteristics, and relative hardiness make them very popular despite their unique demands for the home aquarist.

Mbuna in aquaria

thumb|left|230px|While many [[haplochromines tend to be colorful in males though dull in females, both sexes of mbuna often have striking coloration. This is a pair of kenyi cichlids, Maylandia lombardoi.]]

These cichlids are some of the most colorful freshwater fish for the home aquarium. Mbuna are very aggressive and territorial fish, they are not suitable for beginner fishkeepers. A suitable aquarium setting includes many rocks, adequate filtration, caves, and hiding places; plants may be uprooted, so they are best avoided, but a small number will work well in the aquarium. One of these is Java fern, which may become the object of mbuna aggression, but will not be eaten due to an undesirable taste.

<!-- ==Substrate==

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, Limestone, Holey rock, aragonite, crushed coral and especially mixed bags of substrate do. Generally, tanks of no less than in length is required for mature Mbuna; 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). Ideally, no smaller than a fifty five gallon tank should be considered as adequate space for a colony of Mbuna. In the wild Mbuna are mostly omnivores; their diet consists of insect larvae and aufwuchs and they generally benefit from a varied diet.

Decor

While like any aquarium, the African cichlid tank can be decorated to the aquarist's liking, Mbuna will far more enjoy a tank that is designed including numerous cave or hiding places. These caves are easily formed using rocks as would be found in the Mbuna's natural environment or the aquarist can use artificial means. Some popular options are inexpensive flower pots or prefabricated items from a local pet supply store. The flower pot method involves purchasing clay flower pots of a suitable size and chiseling out one side, such that the pot can be easily planted into the substrate to create a cave. It is recommended that the freshly broken edges be sanded down to avoid harming tank inhabitants, as Mbuna tend to be rowdy. Another less popular option, because of cost, is a three-dimensional background. These backgrounds can be extremely costly, although some aquarist construct backgrounds themselves.

Filtration

Because of Mbuna's ferocious digging habits and the recommended sand/crushed coral substrate under gravel filtration is not recommended. High volume hang over the back (H.O.B.), high capacity power filters or canister filters are recommended. For example, on a fifty-five gallon aquarium will be adequately filtered with the use of two four hundred gallon per hour(G.P.H.) In more advanced setups (75 gallons or more) a refugium maybe be a more effective method for filtration.

These cichlids must be kept in well filtered, heavily stocked mbuna-specific aquariums. Small, high flow circulation impellers are utilized to circulate water through crevices and stir up detritus that maybe become deposited within the rock work and caves. -->

Mbuna exhibit strong social behavior and establish a clearly visible social hierarchy including well-defined and enforced territories. A dominant male maintains a spherical territory, only allowing females to enter this territory for breeding purposes. Overcrowding helps spread out the aggression caused by these territorial conflicts. They, like Astatotilapia burtoni, are maternal mouthbrooders and breed readily in good conditions.

Water parameters

All species from Lake Malawi thrive in the temperature range of 77–84 °F. pH 7.5–8.4 is ideal with an almost pristine (near 0 ppm) ammonia and ammonium nitrite content.

Notable mbuna cichlids

Many mbuna cichlids are regularly stocked and sold by pet shops. Some of the most common ones are the Bumblebee Cichlid or Hornet Cichlid (Pseudotropheus crabro), Golden Cichlid (Melanochromis auratus), Electric Yellow or Yellow Lab Cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus), Red Zebra Cichlid (Maylandia estherae), Blue Zebra Cichlid (Maylandia callainos), and Blue Johannii Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos. Many of these species are considered to have large territorial needs and aggressively defend these territories. Cichlids belonging to any of the genera listed below are considered mbuna.

thumb|right|190px|An electric yellow cichlid, [[Labidochromis caeruleus.]]

right|thumb|190px|[[Labidochromis sp. Hongi|Labidochromis sp.]]

right|thumb|190px|Rusty cichlid, [[Iodotropheus sprengerae]]

right|thumb|190px|[[Labeotropheus fuelleborni]]

right|thumb|190px|Pseudotropheus "acei"

right|thumb|190px|Female [[Melanochromis auratus|M. auratus ]]

Abactochromis Oliver & Arnegard 2010
Chindongo Shan Li, Konings and Stauffer, 2016
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. (syn. Metriaclima Stauffer, Bowers, Kellogg, & McKaye 1997 )
Melanochromis Trewavas 1935
Petrotilapia Trewavas 1935
Pseudotropheus Regan 1922
Tropheops Trewavas 1984

The list below includes groups of nonmbuna mouthbrooding cichlids from Lake Malawi.

Peacock cichlids (Aulonocara species)
Utaka cichlids
Other genera such as Rhamphochromis

References

External links

African Cichlid Genus Gallery
Ad Konings biography