Yellow Labs

[fishyness0809]

Hey all! I have had my established 65 gallon tank set up for about 3 weeks now. Purchased it with a already mature canister filter 700, and the current stocking levels are in my sig...My question is can I add 1-2 yellow labs? I really love there color and I am thinking about adding some caves about the tank to add more hiding places before I get them. Also, concerning the convict she honestly gets along with my angelfish and all the other fish as well, she may get a little nippy around feeding time but for the most part she keeps to herself in the large greek statue bubbler. So anyway I was just curious, thanks all!

 

[aaronnorth]

They are very aggressive and would most likely take over the tank with the fish that you have.

 

[fishyness0809]

I thought Labidochromis caeruleus was one of the more docile of the mbuna? According to my reading I have done...Hmmm

 

[aaronnorth]

I am having some in my tank (see in my sig - 180l) i was told to add them last otherwise they would takeover the tank before i add any more.

 

[fishyness0809]

Ohhh...ok...well are there any peaceful mbuna that would do well in my tank??

 

[aaronnorth]

I dont think so, tanganyika cichlids are more peaceful.

Sorry i am not much help, i am new to cichlids so still learning

 

[russogden1982]

i have always been told to keep malawi's with other malawi's as they don't get on with new world cichlids so never tried to mix them as for your convict she will be ok until you put a male one in thats when she will change as they pair up straight away

 

[Soaup]

All Mbuna are aggressive, Some are less aggressive then others. I would'nt recomend adding labs as like others have said they will likely take over your tank, There may be some problems with you convict and angel. I dont think the Guppy would stand a chance. I wouldnt risk adding Labs to your tank unless you plan on having only labs.

 

[fishyness0809]

As for the female convict, honestly I have done my research and she is the only convict I am going to have. I know how aggressive a male and female pair can be and how they will kill every fish in my tank once they have eggs and baby fish. Thats why she will remain the only one in there, as for the angel I plan on getting another to join it but so far everything in my tank is compatible and I understand that can all change in a instant but until it happens all I can do is watch and monitor it.


As for the mbuna I understand, and will not be placing any of those in there...thanks everyone for the advice.

 

[kj23502]

Yellow labs are peaceful, but my MBUNA standards not according to normal community fish. If you judge them to community fish they are hyper aggressive b/c not to many other community fish are aggressive fish. By community fish I mean mollies, tetras, guppies and the like.

And as mentioned it's generally not best to mix new and old world fish as their signals are different from eachother. Stay away signals won't be understood by the other fish and you can run into feeding issues as well, depending on the species. Malawis generally do better if you supply them w/the type of water that they've evolved in over 100's of years. Yes, they can live in different water, but it doesn't mean it's best for them.

Good choice not to add them to your tank

 

[CentricOregon]

I kept yellow labs with severums,catfish,plecs,convict and a shark and they didn't bother anything, all they done from time to time was fight to become the dominant 1 but if you only have 1 of them theres nothing to worry about.I would advise getting them to start out with no matter what anybody says,buy 1 and get 4 big rocks with holes in them and watch the fish do his stuff, there hilarious! oh and all this about them taking over the tank won't happen,I added fish while they were in my tank and didn't even care about them lol.

oh and another note, I had 7 labs in my tank and they didn't bother my other cichlids apart from the other malawis.

 

[dthoffsett]

I kept yellow labs with severums,catfish,plecs,convict and a shark and they didn't bother anything, all they done from time to time was fight to become the dominant 1 but if you only have 1 of them theres nothing to worry about.I would advise getting them to start out with no matter what anybody says,buy 1 and get 4 big rocks with holes in them and watch the fish do his stuff, there hilarious! oh and all this about them taking over the tank won't happen,I added fish while they were in my tank and didn't even care about them lol.

oh and another note, I had 7 labs in my tank and they didn't bother my other cichlids apart from the other malawis.

All it takes is 1 hyperaggressive male to wipe out a tank which I have had the misfortune to have.

I'm pretty open to trying unorthodox combinations, but you should always observe very closely, have a back up tank, and not get upset if things don't work out. Remember, what works for one doesn't always work for everyone, so while your experience went well, someone elses might not.

 

[fishyness0809]

Thanks again everyone! I may try one and keep the reciept just incase aggression happens and I can take and swipe it out for a community fish.