How To Pick Cichlids

[Phenz]

hi, i'm returning to fish keeping and think i would like to go for a African cichlid species tank.

see all the nice, bright yellow and lilac/stripy cichlids in the store and thought that i'd have some.

but through further investigation, i have absolutely no idea what they 'exactly' are and weather they're an aggressive type, or a hybrid mixed type, i don't know if the fish keeper would know specifically and i'm not sure how to go about picking them.

i've currently got a 20 gallon tall tank that i was going to stick a few small fish in, smaller than 2 inches, maybe 9 fish in total. but i have no idea what i should be looking for species wise, is it okay to get a selection of fish from the same tank from the LFS, the ones that look the nicest and hope they all get along?

from what i've been reading, it all seems a bit vague as to what will/won't/might work and might be a dangerous compatibility.

any help would be appreciated, i've kept fish in the past and know the basic ins and outs but with these types of fish, just wanted a little insight.

¬Phenz

 

[minnnt]

I don't think your tank is big enough mate for Malawi's.

 

[Phenz]

not even if its just a temporary tank for a year or so whilst they're still small ish?

 

[Squidward]

Yup, agree with Minnt, your tank is too small for Malawis.
It would be ok for a small group of Shellies (Tangs) though.

 

[Phenz]

The tank isn't really the issue here. I have lots of empty tanks. if i have 9x 2inch malawis in a 4ft tank then its going to look empty... isn't it? anyhoo, i can research the tank situation another time.

the original question was; am i okay to pick the prettiest fish from the malawi cichlid tank at my LFS and figure that they'll have as much chance of getting along okay as any other combination of 9 assorted malawis? Is there any particular sub species / colour / sex that i should avoid or known disaterous combinations?

 

[minnnt]

Only trying to help... if you have too little amount then the more aggression there will be from the way I understand it. Ensure there is a lot of rock work.for them to escape and hide if they feel the need.

 

[rifty]

if you lfs is selling mixed malawis walk away
try and find a lfs with species in seperate tanks itll help when selecting tank mates
btw i have a group of 8 2inch afra cobue in a four foot and its a war zone at the moment! dont assume a small tank will house malawis even for a temp location if a few dont get on youll know about it real quick!
do some research online to fish you like and post them on here to see people opinions on compatability

 

[Phenz]

Had a look in all the LFS today and all of them are selling the types/colours of malawi that i would like, together. some have seperate tanks for jewels and firemouths etc. but it looks like i'm going to have to be very selective.

i would like the fish that look like the following:

P Demasoni - i think

yellow lab Labidochromis Caerulus - i'm pretty sure

and what i think is a p. Zebra

the LFS has all three of these fish together, overstocked and very brightly coloured. good looking fish.

no idea about male or female, compatibilty or stocking levels for a rio 300.

any advice?

 

[Phenz]

is it okay to have these three fish types together?

 

[rifty]

demonsoni need a big group or they will kill each other say 20 or a single fish
labs yeah and zebras
i would still avoid the lfs mixed tanks your zebras will most likley be hybred fish which are rubbish for the malawi hobby
try and find a breeder of malawis
also if you are looking for a nice colourful tank yeallow and black/blue striped fish check out saulosi