IMO its decision time, either go for Haps or Mbuna. Mixing the 2 is not easy and i don't think your tank shape suits this, don't get me wrong, its a great tank but Haps get really big and are better suited to a tank with more length.
Mixing Aulonocara with Mbuna is also not a good idea as they are much less aggressive than Mbuna and don't tend to cope too well with them because of this, belive me i've tried as they are wonderful fish but i've ended up returning all of them.
There are exceptions to this, If you stick to less aggressive Mbuna like yellow labs or Pseudotropheus Acei, you can add a few different Aulonocara and still have a settled tank. This however limits your choice of Mbuna to 4 or 5 species.
If you decide to go with all Mbuna, there are still loads of compatibility issues to think about. I would avoid Melanochromis Auratus as they are extremely aggressive, not a good beginner fish. The Maingano are a better choice, yellow labs are fine, Labeotropheus fuelleborni vary in temperament but IMO should be OK. Also check out Pseudotropheus Saulosi, Metriaclima Greshaki, Albino Pseudotropheus Socolofi, Metriaclima Estherae and Iodotropheus Sperengerae.
If you fancy some bottom feeders, check out the various Synodontis catfish species, Pim Pictus and Bristlenose Plecs, all of these tend to work well with Malawi's.
If you are interested in lake Tanganyikans, ask Mamafish!
Right essay finished, i'm going to rest now.
EDIT: All that and i still forgot something....avoid keeping multiple males of the same species if you can. If you are going to keep groups of the same genus, try and get something like a 1 male to 3 female ratio, this helps to keep the aggression down.
Mixing Aulonocara with Mbuna is also not a good idea as they are much less aggressive than Mbuna and don't tend to cope too well with them because of this, belive me i've tried as they are wonderful fish but i've ended up returning all of them.
There are exceptions to this, If you stick to less aggressive Mbuna like yellow labs or Pseudotropheus Acei, you can add a few different Aulonocara and still have a settled tank. This however limits your choice of Mbuna to 4 or 5 species.
If you decide to go with all Mbuna, there are still loads of compatibility issues to think about. I would avoid Melanochromis Auratus as they are extremely aggressive, not a good beginner fish. The Maingano are a better choice, yellow labs are fine, Labeotropheus fuelleborni vary in temperament but IMO should be OK. Also check out Pseudotropheus Saulosi, Metriaclima Greshaki, Albino Pseudotropheus Socolofi, Metriaclima Estherae and Iodotropheus Sperengerae.
If you fancy some bottom feeders, check out the various Synodontis catfish species, Pim Pictus and Bristlenose Plecs, all of these tend to work well with Malawi's.
If you are interested in lake Tanganyikans, ask Mamafish!
Right essay finished, i'm going to rest now.
EDIT: All that and i still forgot something....avoid keeping multiple males of the same species if you can. If you are going to keep groups of the same genus, try and get something like a 1 male to 3 female ratio, this helps to keep the aggression down.
