11 replies to this topic

[Gem]

Hi All,

I'm looking to start keeping Malawi's for the first time and need some guidance on compatibility! I've had a look at the Cichlid Recipe compatibility guide and also done a bit of research so I think most of my selections will be ok but I'm not sure of the Metriaclima or Otopharynx:

Labidochromis caeruleus
Aulonocara jacobfreibergi
Haplochromis sp.Flameback
Copadichromis borleyi
Protomelas taeniolatus
Metriaclima estherae
Otopharynx lithobates

I have a 700L tank with a canister filter (am considering adding a second if warranted). Not sure if I'm mixing too many species here so would also appreciate any comments on how many fish you think I should start with? Any help would be great

[tranced]

are you planning a colony of each or just one fish of each?

[Bowdy]

What canister have you got for the tank and how many of each species do you want.
pundamilia nyererei flame back I kept these a while back and are bloody nasty fish. Very agro personally I would take them off the list.
Cheers.

[danotaylor]

I agree with bowdy abuot the flame back. I have a 400 litre (150x50x55) heavily stocked (about 35 male fish + a few accidental girls soon to go) with a very similar species combo, with a few extras also. They co-habitate very well...usual chasing and nipping but no carnage...heaps of rock & open space...lots of colour...looks great.
what are the specs of your 700 litre tank?
Danny

[gibbs]

You will breed some hybrids in this tank. Yellow labs and metriaclima estherae will cross breed at the drop of a hat as will most of the Haplochromines you want to keep. As a display tank i think you will be fine but try not to distribute any offspring from this setup.

[Gem]

I was planning to keep a colony of each if this won't overcrowd the tank. Will the males still display good colouration if I keep them on their own or is it better to keep them with some females? I think I'll take the Flameback off my list to be on the safe side so thanks for the tip!

My canister is an Aquaone CF1200 with Eheim media in it. I suspect it might not be enough on its own but was going to give it a try and keep a close eye on my water chemistry and be careful not to over feed. If I need to I'll add another canister.

My tank is 150x80x60cm I've been running it as a planted tank for years so will need to change my aquascape a bit but am keen to try something new hence the Malawi's.

Thanks for the advice on the hybridisation gibbs, I thought this might happen. I don't intend to try my hand at breeding, really just want a display tank so should be ok.

Really appreciate the help everyone

[golden_dase]

IMO, you should invest in another canister. For a tank that size, 2 canisters will be much much better in regards to filter coverage.

[Bowdy]

Cf1200 no where near enough filtration. I have a tank 760L and tryed to use only a cf1200 and found out real quick that it alone is just not enough. You might find just giving it a go may turn out a lot worse then you think.
Good luck. Cheers.

[Neakit]

if you have good filtration overstocking will sort many aggression issues.

[Juls]

A single CF1200 filled with Eheim media, is more filtration than a single eheim classic 2217, because the CF1200 carrys a few more litres of media and the pump is a bit more capable than the classic 2217.

However with Malawi's i tend to find you need more mechanical and biological filtration as they are quite big, quite messy fish.

I'd be tempted to go with 3, CF1200's myself, or a Single Fluval FX5, or Eheim 2080.

the FX5 is probably the most cost effective being several hundred dollars cheaper than the 2080 and most suited to the job given it's massive mechanical filtration capability. The 2080 will take 8-10 years to pay the difference in cost to the FX5 in power usage expenses.

Juls

[Gem]

Ok so definately more filtration! I'll take a look at the Fluval, thanks Juls.

Can anyone tell me if it's possible for me to only keep males of these fish, and if so what I need to consider? I've read that by heavily stocking the tank this is possible, but I don't want to end up losing heaps of fish! How many fish would constitute "heavily stocking" in a tank my size (700L)?

[gibbs]

The thing with all male tanks is to try to limit the number of fish of each species. 1 of each species works best because you don't get dominant fish of each species beating up sub-dominant fish of the same species in order to maintain the title.

Next you need need fish that are disimilar in looks, colour, body shape, pattern. All male tanks aren't really that aggressive if you keep fish that don't resemble each other, you may get a couple of fish that squabble which is usually because they look the same or are closely related. It's very do-able, iv had a few in the past and im getting back to a very good all male setup again.

One peice of advice i will give you is limit the amount of Mbuna. I find Yellow labs and Pseudotropheus Acei about the best to keep with haplochromines. Most other mbuna are very territorial and fin nippers which can drive haps/peacocks mad, plus some haps grow large enough to eat little mbuna

Heavy stocking? Just go wild and buy a shit load of fish. As they grow you can thin them out as you see fit. Google and youtube all-male tanks for some inspiration.

Edited by gibbs, 13 April 2011 - 10:14 AM.