Bottom Dwellers For Malawi Tank

[Rda]

Hi, I'm looking to add a few bottom dwellers to my Malawi tank and am looking fir some ideas.
Basically a few fish to help clean up the mess after feeding time and something to add to the setup.

I was thinking a couple of pictus cats, corys (although these may be a little small and seen as bait.
Are there any other nice cats that won't get overly large ?
Tank is 500 litre and currently lightly stocked.

Thanks

 

[elisew]

Corys are a definate no no for malawi/mbuna

Synodontis petricola and multipunctatus are ok for the malawi/mbuna tanks but need to be kept in groups of 4-6. Bristlenose and rusty plecs are also ok with the malawi/mbuna

 

[synodontismultipunctatus]

i agree, syno multis and petricolas are well suited to malawi aquariums as they dont seem to bother the cichlid and the water parameters are pretty similar in lake tanganyika (where the synos originate from) and lake malawi. theyre stunning catfish with brilliant markings, the multipunctatus are very active unlike alot of catfish which would usually hide during the day. i wouldnt personally go for BN plecos cause theyre from SA and im just like that with my tanks but tank bred specimens can take the high pH and hardness.

 

[Rda]

i agree, syno multis and petricolas are well suited to malawi aquariums as they dont seem to bother the cichlid and the water parameters are pretty similar in lake tanganyika (where the synos originate from) and lake malawi. theyre stunning catfish with brilliant markings, the multipunctatus are very active unlike alot of catfish which would usually hide during the day. i wouldnt personally go for BN plecos cause theyre from SA and im just like that with my tanks but tank bred specimens can take the high pH and hardness.

Thanks guys, I'll check if my lfs can get the cuckoo catfish in, he generally has pictus cats.

 

[synodontismultipunctatus]

Yeah its definately worth asking, if not then look online. Petricola are a little less common than multis but you can usualy source them through mail order services that some specialist shops provide or private breeders on the internet.
Good luck!

Yeah its definately worth asking, if not then look online. Petricola are a little less common than multis but you can usualy source them through mail order services that some specialist shops provide or private breeders on the internet.
Good luck!

 

[Rda]

4 Multis ordered

Thanks !

 

[synodontismultipunctatus]

Ahh lovely, put some pics up when you get them!!