How Do These Sound

[mark7616]

been researching the malwis i would like and have come to a decision i would like to house
Pseudotropheus Zebra
Melanochromis Johanni
Maylandia Crabro
Melanochromis Chipokae
Haplochromis Obliquidens?

Would the hap be ok also these fish will be going into a 55G i was thinking 3 of each also a common plec will be going in so how does that sound or should i do something different btw this is my first time keeping cichlids.

 

[mamafish68]

so ya like the look of death huh? LOL

all very aggressive fish

 

[freddyk]

Chipokae is just about the most aggressive mbuna out there, so be careful.

Choose Johanni or Chipokae, but going with both is a very dangerous situation for the Johanni.

The Haplichromis will not do well in a tank full of such fierce mbuna, leave it out altogether.

For your first time keeping cichlids I think you've chosen some seriously aggressive ones, but as long as you have warning you can make your own judgment call on it.

 

[mark7616]

so what would you suggest be the best for me to start out with

 

[freddyk]

If you understand that this will be a learning experience and that there will be deaths and problems as you try to gain a balance in the tank, then you would be far from the first to start off with more aggressive fish, so if these are the ones you really like they're still worth considering. When it comes down to it with dealing with the nasty ones, experience can only help so much since the fish are unpredictable creatures.

If the idea of this tank violence isn't really what you wanted, then consider some of the milder species. Four milder species good for a less aggressive setup are Lab. Caeruleus (yellow lab), Iodo. Sprengerae (rusty), Pseudo Acei, and Pseudo Saulosi. Not only are they all pretty easy going, but you can mix and match all these four without a problem since they're all quit different from each other in appearence yet close in aggression.

Following that line, if you really like the Hap then just go with a group of yellow lab and a group of Acei, both mild for mbuna and so a little easier to mix with other livestock. together these grouping fish can make a stunning display to surround what would would essentially become the tanks centerpiece - the Obliquidens.