Are Malawis Fin Nippers?

[mk47]

Hi all,

Ive recently stocked my tank with a number of small baby malawis (approx 2-3 months old) and ive noticed that my plec has chunks missing from his fin on his back. Do malawis bite fins? If so, should i re home my plec?

I have -

Approx 8 or 9 malawi cichlids
4 clown loach
1 plec
1 crayfish

thank you

 

[fishlover500]

Malawis are usually fin nippers, yes. I would watch to see for any serious nips, also make sure the clown loaches aren't getting beaten up.

 

[kj23502]

They will probably have a go at the cray when the cray molts

Whats your tank size? What kind of Malawis do you have?

Well, I guess they may not have a go at the cray until the malawi get bigger.

 

[Davo86]

I'd say your crayfish snuck up on the plec from behind

 

[kj23502]

It could be the mbuna or crayfish...how bigs the cray?

 

[mk47]

but the cray and plec have been in the tank together for atleast 3-4 months now and not had any issues at all. Ive noticed my plec hes usually very peaceful and just slobs around the tank, but recently hes been charging around like a football hooligan? he is about 3-4 inches long. the cray is about 4 inches length aswell and he just hangs arund the tank and has his own house where he spends most of the day, and comes out more in the night.

the clown loaches are getting on fine as they are all about the same size as the malawis at the moment, the malawis are between 1-2cm only at the min.

my tank is a 45 gallon.

i have yellow labs, theres a blue one with red/orangey colours and a few bright yellow ones, sorry not sure of the technical terms for them still learning.

 

[kj23502]

In the end the cray will cause problems(like I noted earlier, I have first hand experience...unfortunately). At least you're getting a heads-up early on He/She is also getting to be a good sized crayfish and is dangerous to your other fish. I'd rehome him. I'm guessing then all should be well....but I could be wrong.

My pleco used to charge around also. And then rest for awhile in some preferred spot before charging around again.

p.s. Clown loaches (If I'm remembering the right loaches) get to 12" long.

 

[rocknurworld2006]

but the cray and plec have been in the tank together for atleast 3-4 months now and not had any issues at all. Ive noticed my plec hes usually very peaceful and just slobs around the tank, but recently hes been charging around like a football hooligan? he is about 3-4 inches long. the cray is about 4 inches length aswell and he just hangs arund the tank and has his own house where he spends most of the day, and comes out more in the night.

the clown loaches are getting on fine as they are all about the same size as the malawis at the moment, the malawis are between 1-2cm only at the min.

my tank is a 45 gallon.

i have yellow labs, theres a blue one with red/orangey colours and a few bright yellow ones, sorry not sure of the technical terms for them still learning.

im sorry but all i have to say is u need to do a whole lot of research on this fish as malawis should only be kept with malawis or appropriate species sush as some synos.

not crayfish
not plecs
not clown loaches


u are having problems as have not done research

 

[Ferris]

but the cray and plec have been in the tank together for atleast 3-4 months now and not had any issues at all. Ive noticed my plec hes usually very peaceful and just slobs around the tank, but recently hes been charging around like a football hooligan? he is about 3-4 inches long. the cray is about 4 inches length aswell and he just hangs arund the tank and has his own house where he spends most of the day, and comes out more in the night.

the clown loaches are getting on fine as they are all about the same size as the malawis at the moment, the malawis are between 1-2cm only at the min.

my tank is a 45 gallon.

i have yellow labs, theres a blue one with red/orangey colours and a few bright yellow ones, sorry not sure of the technical terms for them still learning.

im sorry but all i have to say is u need to do a whole lot of research on this fish as malawis should only be kept with malawis or appropriate species sush as some synos.

not crayfish
not plecs
not clown loaches


u are having problems as have not done research

Sorry to nit-pick but many people have successfully kept Plecs and Clown Loach's with Mbuna.

Quite a few Plec species (remember there are 100's of them) can be kept with Mbuna (and other African's) - BN's and commons are good examples but i know people that have also kept Rustys and Sailfins to name another 2.

Clown Loach's i wouldn't keep with Mbuna myself, mainly due to the differing dietary requirements but CL's can more than take care of themselves and if you can deal with the feeding issue - it can work. Indeed many aquarists have successfully combined them.

Crayfish I agree with - i keep a Cherax Quadricarinatus and i certainly wouldn't mix them with Mbuna. That's my opinion though - doesn't mean it can't be done.

 

[rocknurworld2006]

but the cray and plec have been in the tank together for atleast 3-4 months now and not had any issues at all. Ive noticed my plec hes usually very peaceful and just slobs around the tank, but recently hes been charging around like a football hooligan? he is about 3-4 inches long. the cray is about 4 inches length aswell and he just hangs arund the tank and has his own house where he spends most of the day, and comes out more in the night.

the clown loaches are getting on fine as they are all about the same size as the malawis at the moment, the malawis are between 1-2cm only at the min.

my tank is a 45 gallon.

i have yellow labs, theres a blue one with red/orangey colours and a few bright yellow ones, sorry not sure of the technical terms for them still learning.

im sorry but all i have to say is u need to do a whole lot of research on this fish as malawis should only be kept with malawis or appropriate species sush as some synos.

not crayfish
not plecs
not clown loaches


u are having problems as have not done research

Sorry to nit-pick but many people have successfully kept Plecs and Clown Loach's with Mbuna.

Quite a few Plec species (remember there are 100's of them) can be kept with Mbuna (and other African's) - BN's and commons are good examples but i know people that have also kept Rustys and Sailfins to name another 2.

Clown Loach's i wouldn't keep with Mbuna myself, mainly due to the differing dietary requirements but CL's can more than take care of themselves and if you can deal with the feeding issue - it can work. Indeed many aquarists have successfully combined them.

Crayfish I agree with - i keep a Cherax Quadricarinatus and i certainly wouldn't mix them with Mbuna. That's my opinion though - doesn't mean it can't be done.

im not saying bn's and maybe some plecs wouldnt be suitabel but can still getbbadly fin nipped and harrassed.

and agree with you regarding he clown loaches requiremnts and crayfsh

 

[mk47]

Im not gonna re home the cray. Over time I have changed whats been in my tank but since the start the cray has been in the same tank with my plec, it was also in there with 2 large oscars aswell for a long period of time, and with my clown loaches. it has never given any of them a problem. Also all fish in my tank are getting along fine except as I say ive noticed bits missing from my plecs fins, if it is down to the cichlids ill rehome my plec thanks for all the advice it is as always much appreciated.

 

[fishlover500]

You may still have problems with malawi killing each other. Ideally mbuna need 4 ft tank.

 

[mk47]

You may still have problems with malawi killing each other. Ideally mbuna need 4 ft tank.

Sorry i forgot to mention it is a 4 foot tank

 

[rocknurworld2006]

Im not gonna re home the cray. Over time I have changed whats been in my tank but since the start the cray has been in the same tank with my plec, it was also in there with 2 large oscars aswell for a long period of time, and with my clown loaches. it has never given any of them a problem. Also all fish in my tank are getting along fine except as I say ive noticed bits missing from my plecs fins, if it is down to the cichlids ill rehome my plec thanks for all the advice it is as always much appreciated.

u cant keep a cray fish with malawis though

 

[mk47]

u cant keep a cray fish with malawis though

I have at the moment though and theyre not giving any trouble. I recall being told at one point that I cant keep oscars with the cray etc, but its worked so why not? (im not being rude im genuinely interested to know)

Thanks