Can Malawi Cichlids Be Kept In A Normal Tropical Tank Setup?

[Lawrence1584]

I know your going to say this is a stupid question but please hear me out. Me and my friend both share the same love for fishkeeping. I was speaking to him on the phone and he tells me he bought some new fish, lemon cichlids.

I have been fishkeeping for 7years and always I have had tropical fish. I had never heard of a lemon cichlid. After looking online, I find that it is more commonly known as a yellow lab (Malawi cichlid). To my knowledge they have a different setup with brackish water.

I went round to visit him a week later, and long and behold he has some yellow labs swimming around with his firemouths, uarus, gold severums, clown loaches, rainbow fish, keyholes, happy keeping themselves to themselves. He does have a 6ft 500litre tank but surely this is far from normal???

 

[balajake]

I think in the long run it might suffer, or maybe even just drop dead one day from the stress. it will depend on his water conditions

 

[snake007]

Yellow labs prefer different water conditions from them fish, you generally shouldnt mix the two, SA and African.
Not a stupid question by the way!

 

[trippytrance]

They shouldn't be mixed with normal tropical fish as they need different water conditions, Malawi Cichlids are more aggresive fish, have different diets, some are rock dwelling so will require more rocks.

 

[Lawrence1584]

Ahhhhh I see. I knew the water conditions were different, usually higher ph? More alkaline. So the chances are they could just die? Due to the stress of the water differences. Like I stated they have been in there a week and they seem fine and healthy. I find it very strange. He said the shop listed them as lemon cichlids and although he didnt ask if they were compatible, he said they were described on the label as a peaceful cichlid.

 

[balajake]

Ahhhhh I see. I knew the water conditions were different, usually higher ph? More alkaline. So the chances are they could just die? Due to the stress of the water differences. Like I stated they have been in there a week and they seem fine and healthy. I find it very strange. He said the shop listed them as lemon cichlids and although he didnt ask if they were compatible, he said they were described on the label as a peaceful cichlid.

sometimes they just want the sale or just don't have the knowledge

 

[snake007]

They are a more peaceful african cichlid but still not a community fish.
Lemon cichlids are also another name for them.

 

[trippytrance]

Yep they do prefer higher ph I believe 7.5 and above. The yellow labs are less aggresive then the others but should be kept with similar type.

Maybe your friends tap water is high in ph to start with...