Malawi Stocking Advice Needed!
#1
Posted 06 April 2011 - 08:47 PM
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
#2
Posted 06 April 2011 - 09:05 PM
#3
Posted 06 April 2011 - 09:07 PM
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.
#4
Posted 06 April 2011 - 09:20 PM
what are the specs of your 700 litre tank?
Danny
#5
Posted 06 April 2011 - 10:26 PM
#6
Posted 07 April 2011 - 08:03 AM
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
#7
Posted 07 April 2011 - 09:09 AM
#8
Posted 07 April 2011 - 04:40 PM
Good luck. Cheers.
#9
Posted 09 April 2011 - 05:22 PM
#10
Posted 09 April 2011 - 06:22 PM
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
#11
Posted 13 April 2011 - 08:26 AM
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)?
#12
Posted 13 April 2011 - 10:11 AM
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.
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