Sand

[Salam]

Depends on which ones you get. Some are not fussed about rocks, you could start with easy ones like yellow labs and add more later once you have some rock. Look on ebay for that, or local FB groups, aquarists classified. There are always bargains to be found.

Sorry, just re-read it. If you got slate that's a good start. If it's enough to build up caves go for it. Have you looked at journals in the African Cichlid section? Might give you an idea on what you can do.

 

[markandjanice]

Depends on which ones you get. Some are not fussed about rocks, you could start with easy ones like yellow labs and add more later once you have some rock. Look on ebay for that, or local FB groups, aquarists classified. There are always bargains to be found.

Sorry, just re-read it. If you got slate that's a good start. If it's enough to build up caves go for it. Have you looked at journals in the African Cichlid section? Might give you an idea on what you can do.

no i haven't but i am now

listen if you know any off hand as a malawi keeper yaself, PLEASE let me know, i know they're beautiful fish and very colourful and i would go down this route if i'm being honest! but if you know any of the top of your head please let me know.

regards

 

[Salam]

You mean fish suggestions? If you got some caves you could get:

yellow lab (yellow obviously)
red zebra (orange)
blue zebra (blue)
astatotilapia calliptera (olive green)

There are many, many more, but they would give you a nice starting point plus much colouring. I put their colours in brackets so you know what I mean.

I have just started malawi myself, it's my latest tank. I got most of mine as juveniles from local people and I am letting them grow up together. I have seen zero aggression yet, but I know it will start once they are older and start breeding, but hopefully it won't be too bad as they have grown up together. Plus I got loads of rocks, so the weaker ones can hide.

The key to malawi is to overstock as the bully will have trouble finding the weaker ones. You know, getting lost in the crowd. But you need mega filteration (externals best) for this and be prepared for 50% weekly water changes. Otherwise they are just as easy to keep as tropicals. And it only took me a few days to 'train' mine to come to the glass whenever I pass by. They are hilarious, as soon as I stick my face to them, they come to the front asking for food

 

[markandjanice]

You mean fish suggestions? If you got some caves you could get:

yellow lab (yellow obviously)
red zebra (orange)
blue zebra (blue)
astatotilapia calliptera (olive green)

There are many, many more, but they would give you a nice starting point plus much colouring. I put their colours in brackets so you know what I mean.

I have just started malawi myself, it's my latest tank. I got most of mine as juveniles from local people and I am letting them grow up together. I have seen zero aggression yet, but I know it will start once they are older and start breeding, but hopefully it won't be too bad as they have grown up together. Plus I got loads of rocks, so the weaker ones can hide.

The key to malawi is to overstock as the bully will have trouble finding the weaker ones. You know, getting lost in the crowd. But you need mega filteration (externals best) for this and be prepared for 50% weekly water changes. Otherwise they are just as easy to keep as tropicals. And it only took me a few days to 'train' mine to come to the glass whenever I pass by. They are hilarious, as soon as I stick my face to them, they come to the front asking for food

much appreciated mate

 

[Salam]

You're welcome. You might want to start a journal too and people here will help you along the way (and admire your tank ).