Which tank setup

[malfunction]

So I have a 4ft tank running and am currently waiting for my 6ft to arrive. My 4ft contains a soft water community based around my electric blue acara. I’m in two minds over what to do with my 6ft when it arrives. Option 1 is to use the 6ft for a peacock/hap tank, and to keep my 4ft as it is. Option 2 is to move the softwater community to the 6ft, and then use the 4ft as an mbuna tank. I’ve really grown to like the EBA since I got it, and this option would allow me to keep a group together with a couple of Severums. I just can’t make my mind up which option to go for (I know, first world problems!) What do you guys think? Vote and let me know why.

 

[malfunction]

Looks like the 6ft acara tank in the winner!

 

[Colin_T]

Go for peacocks and Haplochromis cichlids, they are more peaceful than Mbuna. You can also sell peacock cichlids but you won't get rid of many Mbuna cichlids.

 

[Obsessed with fish]

Go for peacocks and Haplochromis cichlids, they are more peaceful than Mbuna. You can also sell peacock cichlids but you won't get rid of many Mbuna cichlids.

I have heard many storys of mbuna being aggressive

 

[malfunction]

Yeah, everything I’ve ready says mbuna are the most aggressive group of Malawi cichlids. I was actually thinking about the more peaceful ones - yellow labs, rusty cichlids and yellow tailed acei. They seemed like a safe bet but would still provide lots of colour. But then again, I’ve wanted to keep a peacock/hap tank for a while, which is why I keep going in circles.

 

[Obsessed with fish]

Yeah, everything I’ve ready says mbuna are the most aggressive group of Malawi cichlids. I was actually thinking about the more peaceful ones - yellow labs, rusty cichlids and yellow tailed acei. They seemed like a safe bet but would still provide lots of colour. But then again, I’ve wanted to keep a peacock/hap tank for a while, which is why I keep going in circles.

I would only have mbuna with other fish if you have experience.

 

[itiwhetu]

I would do the option you don't have. Move the Severum community to the six foot and set the four foot up with peacocks/haps.

 

[Colin_T]

Yeah, everything I’ve ready says mbuna are the most aggressive group of Malawi cichlids. I was actually thinking about the more peaceful ones - yellow labs, rusty cichlids and yellow tailed acei. They seemed like a safe bet but would still provide lots of colour. But then again, I’ve wanted to keep a peacock/hap tank for a while, which is why I keep going in circles.

Peacocks and peaceful Mbuna (electric yellow, rusty & aceii). They will breed and you can sell most of them, and you get lots of colours without major agro.

 

[malfunction]

I quite like the option of the peaceful mbuna and peacocks together. I was wondering whether 4ft is a bit of a tight squeeze for peacocks though. How many fish in total do you think I could fit in it? Maybe 5 peacocks and 8-12 mbuna? Or is that too much?

 

[itiwhetu]

To many, six fish in total and then let them do their thing.

 

[itiwhetu]

I had four fish in a three foot, and it soon turned into twenty fish.