Is A Clean-up Crew Necessary With Malawi?

[Cheffi]

When I pick up my Malawi from ginge (13 or them) I just wondered if I needed anything for the bottom for clean-up or algae (of which there is none atm, algae I mean)? If so what is compatible (no excessive poopers please)!

 

[dthoffsett]

Malawis are pretty much their own clean up crew, it there is any left over food they are definately being overfed, they'll munch on algae all day long too. Most people get some kind of catfish w/their malawis for population control since they breed so much. Synodontis species are preferred since they are from the same areas as the malawis, but pim pictus seems to work as well, I'm having pretty good luck w/them in my tank so far anyways.

 

[Cheffi]

Oh in that case as some of these fish are breeding I will def need something. What should I look for in particular?

 

[dthoffsett]

Any of the synodontis species of catfish, syno multipuntatus and petricola are popular choices. I couldn't get any synos locally, so I went with pim pictus, they don't seem to mind the harder water, and if anything, they are bigger pigs than the cichlids. Mine are out all day long patrolling and chasing the other fish off of whatever rock they've claimed for the day.