Is it normal for rusty fry/young juvies to have bars on them? I can't find any pictures of little ones for reference.

Little ones will show faint barring, Aura...I wouldn't worry about it until they get a couple of inches. Stressed females will show faint barring, as well.

One thing I've noticed around here is that there tend to be alot of Rusties that appear to be mixed with Yellow labs...Strange in a way, but no so strange in the respect that many keep them together as more docile species without alot of concern to male/female ratios. It's really hard to find nice ones in this area...And that's a shame because they are one of my favourite mbuna.

Those of yours look pretty much like mine always did. The barring may be a bit more pronounced, but it could also be the flash/lighting.

Kim

Thanks Kim. Yes the flash does make the bars seem more visible. Their little bodies are actually a lot more on the purple side.

I don't really notice any barring on the bodies of the adults, but I can see it in pictures. blinky

If I can ever get a decent picture of the adults, I'll post it up for a second opinion. I was going to give some of these fry to a friend, but I don't want to be passing out questionable fry.

The fish store that I got these from used to be pretty good, but they got a new owner about a year ago, and I've noticed the quality of their stock really going down since then. I bought these rusties right around the ownership change time.

I'd agree your Rusties look just like mine did as fry great fish to keep. !

Do you guys find them as mellow as everyone always says they are?

I really think the male/female ratio matters alot more with them than with acei and Yellow labs, yet we tend to always lump them in the same category personality wise.

My males were absolutely brutal on my females at spawning time.

I'd really like to have some more of them one day.

Kim

The most non-aggresive Mbuna I have ever kept. I had 2 males 4 females in a 125 mixed with other malawians. nice fish for sure I liked the purple color they carried.

I only have five (plus the fry now) and have had them for about a year. So far they have been pretty passive except at spawning time. I think it was male on male aggression. To tell the truth, I'm only sure of the sex of one male and one female because she was holding.

My acei, on the other hand, are a little more aggressive (with other species, not really among themselves). Sometimes they get together and pick on other fish in the tank like they are an organized gang of troublemakers. Why you little..

I used to have 2 males and a female Rustie in my mixed Mbuna tank,
but the 2 males constantly fought against each other.

This lasted for nearly a year before, oddly enough, the weaker male finally
killed the stronger male!

I now have a pair and except at spawning time, they do well together.

But I don't buy into that assumption that Rusties are "peaceful Mbunas!"

They may not be as aggressive as other Mbuna, but they aren't passive like
yellow labs!

Aura: My acei wouldn't hurt a flea! I have 5 nearly full grown Acei and they mind
their own business!

It's funny how everyone's individual experiences can differ so much at times!

I haven't bred Rusties -- I think I have 2 young males -- but my Lab. Hongi had similar bars that faded as they grew. There's thread about it below -- I'll look for it tonight.