Adding A New Species To 55 Gallon Tank

[Gavin]

Hey,

So, I have a 55g tank and so far its looking pretty good. In the tank I have 1 female Kenyi, 2 OB peacocks (breeding pair) and 4 electric yellows. Everything has been going great. However, I would like to add another species. Do you have any ideas on a good one to add. I prefer fish with nice colours. Also i would like to add a harem of this new species.

[Gavin]

*BUMP*

Does anyone have a suggestion?

[RustyNut]

The reason you're not getting responses is probably because there really isn't any good species to go with your mix so everyone is just fumbling...

[DogWalker]

To elaborate a bit, the kenyi is the main problem with the stock you currently have. All mbuna (like your kenyi and yellow labs) do best in groups, but the kenyi is among one of the more agressive mbuna species and a kenyi (or a group of them) is/are likely to make life miserable in a 4' tank for milder tankmates like yellow labs and peacocks.

The OB peacocks are thought to be peacock/mbuna hybrids, and as such are a bit of a wild card behaviour-wise. While it usually isn't recommended to keep peacocks with mbuna in a 4' tank it is just possible (but not certain) that yellow labs and OB peacock's may work. Note that peacocks, like mbuna, are not 'pairing' fish; they are best kept with several females per male. If you're going to stick with the OB's then a third choice should be one of the milder mbuna species. There are many mbuna species that would be unsuitable, but a few examples that might work include (pick one):
Iodotropheus sprengerae
Labidochromis sp. mbamba
Cynotilapia afra
Pseudotropheus saulosi

How long have your current fish been there and what size are they?