Malawi Cichlids :)

[Biddles95]

i am getting a 55 gallon !
it is 4ft long so a lot of space for the fish
what cichlids could i have in it?
i want 3 yellow labs!
but i like convicts but they are american
would i be able to put a pair in the African tank. with like 7+ Africans?
thanks

 

[synodontismultipunctatus]

DEfinately wouldnt reccomend mixind central/ south american cichlids of an kind with african mbuna

some more suitable tankmates
pseudotropheus demasoni
pseudotropheus socolofi
pseuodtropheus flavus
pseuodtropheus crabro
pseuodtropheus elongatus (chewere are nice and so are mpanga, also see 'neon spot')

other mbuna cichlids are perfect aswell but i will warn you about melanachromis species such as chipokae and johanni as these are more agressive, also i wouldnt put them in with pseudotropheus lombardoi, they get very agressive, mainly the males)

AVOID !!
american cichlids
large haps + alunocara (larger open water malawi)
tanganyikan cichlids
comunity fish
predatory fish


some american cichlids will tolerate hard alkali water but they are better off in soft acidic water, the labs im afraid are from malawi where the water is very hard and alkali. so its best to mix with other mbuna

 

[Squidward]

i am getting a 55 gallon !
it is 4ft long so a lot of space for the fish
what cichlids could i have in it?
i want 3 yellow labs!
but i like convicts but they are american
would i be able to put a pair in the African tank. with like 7+ Africans?
thanks

Hi,
Yeah, I wouldn't mix African and S American Cichlids. Can only lead to trouble.

Syno has given a starting list of species you could add. But I would avoid crabro & damesoni as they are quite aggressive and could be problematic.

Sprengerae are relatively placid
Cyno afra
terevassae (spelling??)
salousii
Polit (very nice)

Just a few of the ones I had in my tank.

My advice is do a lot of research before adding the fish.

Thanks
Squidward

 

[Timmy_Bee]

Syno has given a starting list of species you could add. But I would avoid crabro & damesoni as they are quite aggressive and could be problematic.


Thought i would join in!

 

[KittyKat]

+1 for Pseudotropheus demasoni, never had a problem with them, but you'd need to keep 15+. Absolutely lovely fish, IMO. Do be aware that yes, they will squabble between themselves and probably would not get along with any other blue fish that has vertical stripes.

What about saulosi?

 

[Biddles95]

thanks
yeah i am doing my research but there are some things that you just cant get answers for.. so i came on here i will most prob go with a lake malawi aquarium..
i have always wanted an oscar but they are just too messy
any other largish fish that i could have in a 4ft tank?
+ anyone know how to work out the gallonage/litre by a tank size.
the tank will be 4'x1.5'x2'
thanks again

 

[KittyKat]

Hmm, if you were thinking more SA sort of set-up, then a pair of Blue Acaras with large school of dithers and a couple of Plecos or Corys would work well

 

[Timmy_Bee]

as for how many litres/gallons - this site has a calculator (look at the top of the page) that should help you

 

[Timmy_Bee]

--double post, sorry--