Do I Go With Malawis?

[doresy]

I have an AquaOne 850 Tank which is 155ltrs (34 UK or 41 US)

It is 33" or 85cm long. The overhead trickle filter has been tweaked and has coped extremely well with over-stocking in the past.

1st question, is the tank suitable for my prefered choice? If not then it's pointless going any further as changing it is not an option.

My plan, empty tank completely while keeping the filter cycled/running. Replace substrate with crushed coral gravel/sand. Loads of ocean rock. I live in a very hard water area.

Then fill with the allowed amount of Malawis of various colours and types as recommended when and if the time comes.

What I have learned so far (only what I have been told so may not be factual) Hard water is needed which is good for me. This is helped by the coral and ocean rock. Plants are not good as they will dig up and eat. (Then I see on this forum photos of planted tanks) Territorial problems are overcome by stocking levels. Male to female ratios are important but the females are less colourful. All males possible? When stocking is it possible to have one of each type/colour or do they need to be groups?

Sorry about all questions, going Cichlid is a very new venture for me after 6 years of community fishkeeping (bit bored with that now, want a bit mre of a challenge!)

 

[kj23502]

Hi doresy!! Welcome to this area of the forums

Well, I'd say it depends on how wide your tank is...it's 33"L...what's the width? Generally people say no shorter than 48" but there's success stories w/36" tanks also. If your tank is wider than the average 12" U.S. tank then it may be a possibility.

Here's an example from another great place w/loads of info too and it's the only Malawi example for a tank of these dimensions:

Cookie Cutter Setup for 29-gallons
(30x12x18 in / 76x30x46 cm)

Victoria & Malawi Combo

• Haplochromis sp. "Ruby Green" - trio
• Metriaclima livingstonii - 5
• Ancistrus temminckii "Bristlenose Pleco" - 2

I realize your tank is longer than 30" and holds 41 US gallons but it's closest to the length as the next setup is 48" (a 40 gallon long is what it is for over here in the U.S.) and if your tank makes up for width what it lacks in length then I say go for it

Cookie Cutter Setup for 40-gallons (long)
(48x13x16 in / 122x33x41 cm)

Lake Malawi Aquarium

• Pseudotropheus socofoli - 5
• Metriaclima estherae - 5
• Ancistrus temminckii "Bristlenose Pleco" - 2

• Metriaclima sp. "Msobo" - 5
• Cynotilapia afra - 5
• Ancistrus temminckii "Bristlenose Pleco" - 2

• Placidochromis electra - 4
• Copadichromis azureus - 4
• Synodontis nyassae - 2

Victoria & Malawi Combo

• Astatotilapia latifasciata - trio
• Pseudotropheus saulosi - 7
• Ancistrus temminckii "Bristlenose Pleco" - 2

• Pundamilia nyererei - 5
• Labidochromis caeruleus - 5
• Ancistrus temminckii "Bristlenose Pleco" - 2

>Were you thinking about Peacocks or Mbuna?? If you're not sure do some searching, let us know and we can help more from there.

>The ocean rock is correct and hard water is correct.

>Most fish will dig or tear up plants, but I've had a few java moss now that have lasted awhile. I've seen a few fish pick at it, but they seem to slowly decimate it It's supposed to grow fast too so maybe it can kinda keep up w/the occassional pecking??

>There are a lot of mbuna species that males and females are brightly colored. The peacocks generally have a brightly colored fancy male w/the females brown or greyish. With all the mbuna (except yellow labs) it's best to have only 1 male w/at least 3 females. They seem to be genetically programmed to be very defensive about territory and will harrass and attack extra males that they see as a take over threat to their "herem of females". Same goes for not having 2 similarly colored males as they may still eachother as a threat b/c they look alike.

>I'd say 11 mbuna max...roughly the same...maybe a tid less for peacocks.

Love helping w/questions. I don't mind. I love it when people come into asking informative questions also.(when people read a bit first)


Kj

 

[katatoniq]

go for it mate you'll never go back. especially with people like KJ helping you out. check out her cichlid journal! it convinced me to get some africans!

even give melanchromis auratus a shot! The females look better than the males IMO!

Good luck!

 

[fishlover500]

Deffinitely don't give melanchromis auratus a shot because they are VERY aggressive and could be a terror to every other fish in the tank

 

[kj23502]

go for it mate you'll never go back. especially with people like KJ helping you out. check out her cichlid journal! it convinced me to get some africans!

even give melanchromis auratus a shot! The females look better than the males IMO!

Good luck!

I would not do auratus unless you have a large tank...think 75+ gallons. Most fish are juvies and it's likely impossible to sex them. One fish can claim half of a tank for territory and if the tanks not big enough the other fish will be harrassed to death

Thanks for the vote of confidence katatoniq



Kj

 

[doresy]

Wow, thanks guys and gals You seem a very friendly bunch.......makes me even more want to change from Community to Cichlids

Tank is 33"long X 17"wide X 17" high.......34 UK Galls or 41US Galls. Would love a six footer but my tank room is upstairs and I want it to stay there!
(The tank I wish to convert is in my signiture)

I am no stranger to fish keeping and understand the water chemistry although new to Cichlid requirements.

My filtration system works well and very regular water changes don't worry me (Live in very hard water area)

I love the look of the bright yellows and blues.

I guess really I am a marine wannabe What I want to achive is close to a marine set-up, ie corals (substrate) ocean rocks and the coral rocks (that looks like a brain with holes in it ) and the extra large barnicle shells. Then have very bright coloured medium sized fish and maybe smaller shell dwellers.
Cichlids are the obvious choice.

Anyone have a set up like I am visualizing that they would like to show off? Or would anyone like to build me a fantasy tank within my limitations then if I like it I will make it and show you.

Meanwhile, thanks for your time

 

[kj23502]

Sounds good. The only thing is it's hard to keep the white ocean rock white. It grows over w/algea and it's hard for plecs to get all the nooks n cranies. You may have to manually clean it. A few other members have experienced that, while I've just read about it.

Tank's def. wide enough



Kj

 

[Rick A]

Cleaning the Ocean rock isn't such a big deal. It tends to discolour more while the tank's water parameters are settling down. I clean mine occasionally using a new 'firm' toothbrush - don't use one of your old ones! The advantage here is that by occasionally cleaning the rock you get to rearrange the layout slightly which can help if some fish get a little over territorial.

A tank you size might be better suited to Tanganiykans, they won't be quite as colourful as Malawis though

 

[doresy]

Glad my tank is usable if not totally ideal.

Is all ocean rock white? In my LFS I seem to remember some with a brownish hint (not algae! it was dry)

I do know what you mean about white stuff growing algae, in the early days I used pure white gravel as substrate and it looked like The Centre Court within days

No takers in the showing off department yet then

 

[kj23502]

Is all ocean rock white? In my LFS I seem to remember some with a brownish hint (not algae! it was dry)

I'm guessing it probably was once Live Rock and now isn't live any more. It dies when it's out of water.