New Setup

[balon]

Hi

To cut a long story short, I recently lost a lot of fish in a house move. I've moved before without any problems but this time didn't work out.

I'm over it and have learnt from my mistakes.

My new plan is to have a lake Malawi setup. Among other things, I love their liveliness and colour. I have a 4 foot long (Juwel Vision) 260l tank with sand substrate and a lot of rocks. External Fluval 304 along with internal Juwel filter. Tank is almost finished cycling and has pH 7.5 and GH 8

I'd like to hear advice on what fish to select for my new setup. I'm still trying to familiarise myself with the various species - it's like learning a new language with the latin names and the fact that different species have common names aswell!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

Barry

 

[Ginge]

One thing to start with is to find the fish that are available. Don't search through all the websites and pick the fish you like go to your fish stores see what you can get and pick from that.

 

[mamafish68]

Tropheops types would be nice or some Cynotilapia afra are super super little fish!
but read up on the fish before buying to avoid returns and or deaths

 

[balon]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've gotten a good book on Malawi Cichlids and, as was suggested, it's likely they'll not all be available locally, so pen and paper and a trip to the lfs is in order I think....

Cheers

Barry

 

[Ginge]

Also ask them if they can order in fish especially in for you.

 

[monkeyman]

One thing to start with is to find the fish that are available. Don't search through all the websites and pick the fish you like go to your fish stores see what you can get and pick from that.

Thats a good bit of advice if ive ever heard one! Simple - yet SO good!

 

[Ferris]

You'll probably find you can get various Zebra morphs, Yellow labs, Johanni and Callainos quite easily as these fish are mass bred due to their popularity, beyond that its down to your LFS and what they can get hold of and sell easily.

 

[balon]

Hi

So I've got some new fish and they have happilly become accustomed to their new home over the last couple of weeks. Had a case of bacterial bloom last weekend, but it has since cleared...

Here's what I went for:

2 Labidochromis Caeruleus
3 Cynotilapia Afra Mbamba
3 Aulonocara Jocobfreibergi
2 Pseudotropheus lombardoi (Red Zebra)
2 - I forgot the name by the time I got back from the LFS

I have a few questions:

1. Firstly, I have a pic of one of the unidentified and wanted to post it here for identification, but don't seem to have the 'browse' button to attach the file. I only have this button in the Member Pictures Board. Any ideas to help me attach the pic?

2. Are there different varieties of Red Zebra, I believe the variety I have is Pseudotropheus Lombardoi based on pics I've seen, but have seen Maylandia lombardoi referred to as Red Zebras also.

3. The lfs seem to think this was a good combination to begin with and all are very happy, hungry and lively! What are thoughts on compatability based on my list?

4. All are young and will grow, so is there room for any more in a 260l tank?

Cheers

Barry

 

[Ferris]

Maylandia Estherae (red zebra) and Maylandia Lombardoi (kenyi) are completely different fish in appearance. Estherae are bright orange, males fins occasionally turn blue but this pretty much only happens with wild caught examples these days.

Lombardoi are pale blue with darker blue vertical stripes as juveniles. Females remain this colour but males turn yellow with darker yellow vertical stripes.

The 2 species look completely different at all stages though.

 

[balon]

Maylandia Estherae (red zebra) and Maylandia Lombardoi (kenyi) are completely different fish in appearance. Estherae are bright orange, males fins occasionally turn blue but this pretty much only happens with wild caught examples these days.

Lombardoi are pale blue with darker blue vertical stripes as juveniles. Females remain this colour but males turn yellow with darker yellow vertical stripes.

The 2 species look completely different at all stages though.

Well, mine are certainly orange, although more of a peach colour. One is slightly darker than the other... This one loves to dig out the sand using it's mouth as a shovel. I flattened it out the cave yesterday as there was a 4 inch pile of sand against the front of the glass, and he/she immediately begin excavating again....

If I can figure out how to post a pic here, I'll add one in later for clarification..

 

[balon]

As I still cannot see how to attach a pic in this board, I added the pic I'd like to upload as my avatar. Maybe someone can identify from that, but it's probably too small....

 

[balon]

1. Firstly, I have a pic of one of the unidentified and wanted to post it here for identification, but don't seem to have the 'browse' button to attach the file. I only have this button in the Member Pictures Board. Any ideas to help me attach the pic?

Think I have it. Any help identifying please?

 

[Ferris]

Pseudotropheus Elongatus and a nice example.

 

[balon]

Thanks Ferris, that completes the list

2 Labidochromis Caeruleus
3 Cynotilapia Afra Mbamba
3 Aulonocara Jocobfreibergi
2 Maylandia Estherae (Red Zebra)
2 Pseudotropheus Elongatus

Is there much more room for others in 260l? And in your opinion, are these compatible?

cheers

 

[Mbuna Dave]

Glad you posted this Balon,i am also looking to keep MBuna and dismantle my community setup.
And also like you i have a Juwel Vision 260 with sand substrate.

I need a lot more rock though,but do i need the rock to reach the top of the tank as i have seen this in a lot of tanks,as plants are not a viable option i think to build up the rockwork would be more appealing,what do you guys think?

I am also looking to buy an external filter maybe a Eheim.Without plants though would this give rise to algae growth and would a UV filter help in this department?

My PH is 7.5,should i need to increase this to 8.0 or 8.5?

By the way,that Pseudotropheus Elongatus looks stunning mate.

Keep us informed Balon as i am learning all the time.


Dave.