Lake Malawi Chichlids

[SensesFail]

Hi

I am new to fish keeping and I have a 190 litre tank. Originally I was looking at keeping 4 discus but after seeing a community tank of cichlids. I really like Lake Malawi cichlids and also:
Synodontis petricola
Even-Spotted Squeaker

A few questions:

Can I mix and match Chichlids as along as they are from the same area?( Lake Malawi) how many could I have in my tank as I know they are all different sizes as adults. Also I really like catfish in particular the one above will these life happily with the malawi Chichlids?

Many thanks!

(would it be better listing the fish I like and letting you guys see?

 

[Squidward]

Hi

I am new to fish keeping and I have a 190 litre tank. Originally I was looking at keeping 4 discus but after seeing a community tank of cichlids. I really like Lake Malawi cichlids and also:
Synodontis petricola
Even-Spotted Squeaker

A few questions:

Can I mix and match Chichlids as along as they are from the same area?( Lake Malawi) how many could I have in my tank as I know they are all different sizes as adults. Also I really like catfish in particular the one above will these life happily with the malawi Chichlids?

Many thanks!

(would it be better listing the fish I like and letting you guys see?

Hi,

190L is quite small for a Malawi tank. You could probably get away with some of the smaller Mbuna. List what you are keen on and I will let you know what I think.

I am not familiar with an Even-Spotted Squeaker.
But the Syno you mention is from the Rift Lakes, so will be fine in the conditions that the Malawis like.
And you could also have a tank bred Bristle Nose Plec.

Any other questions, feel free to ask.

Thanks
Squidward

 

[SensesFail]

Hi

I am new to fish keeping and I have a 190 litre tank. Originally I was looking at keeping 4 discus but after seeing a community tank of cichlids. I really like Lake Malawi cichlids and also:
Synodontis petricola
Even-Spotted Squeaker

A few questions:

Can I mix and match Chichlids as along as they are from the same area?( Lake Malawi) how many could I have in my tank as I know they are all different sizes as adults. Also I really like catfish in particular the one above will these life happily with the malawi Chichlids?

Many thanks!

(would it be better listing the fish I like and letting you guys see?

Below are the list and the stared ones I really like. I would also like some cats and places if possible but it's what numbers I can have as some of those cichlids grow to 12.5 cm and even 15cm.

Electric yello*
Slender mbuna*
Demosonu*
Albino cobalt
Kenny mbuna
Elongatus mponga*
Snow White socalofi

Many thanks

Hi,

190L is quite small for a Malawi tank. You could probably get away with some of the smaller Mbuna. List what you are keen on and I will let you know what I think.

I am not familiar with an Even-Spotted Squeaker.
But the Syno you mention is from the Rift Lakes, so will be fine in the conditions that the Malawis like.
And you could also have a tank bred Bristle Nose Plec.

Any other questions, feel free to ask.

Thanks
Squidward

 

[james_fish]

190 litre's will restrict what you can have in that tank, however, you could still make a stunning little Malawi tank with that. You will need very good filtration for them.

You could have 2 species of 6 fish, taking into account fully grown adults. For example Yellow Labs and Blue Cobalts. And then some Catfish on the bottom? I know you'll probably be looking at more than 3 different types of fish, but believe me, fill the tank with rock and have a black sand bottom. Then include the fish I mentioned... It will look gorgeus!

James

 

[gunman]

Out of interest, is your 190l a corner tank?

I have a 160l mbuna tank with yellow labs, blue cobalts and hongi (Currently Juvi's mainly). They are some of the smaller species. Basic rules are over filter (by quite a margin), frequent water changes and overstock.

What are the dimensions of the 190l? Floor space is important for mbuna (like the yellow labs and blue cobalt), I've looked at a 190 corner tank it and seems to have good space.

 

[SensesFail]

Out of interest, is your 190l a corner tank?

I have a 160l mbuna tank with yellow labs, blue cobalts and hongi (Currently Juvi's mainly). They are some of the smaller species. Basic rules are over filter (by quite a margin), frequent water changes and overstock.

What are the dimensions of the 190l? Floor space is important for mbuna (like the yellow labs and blue cobalt), I've looked at a 190 corner tank it and seems to have good space.

The width is 40cm, length is 100cm and the height is 55cm. Its not a corner tank just a normal flat front it has an aquis advanced 1050 canister filter. I plan one day to buy the fluval F3 filter but that will be some time. I expect water change wise to carry out 50litres every other day? That was what I would have done for discus but should this be kept for this type of fish or can it be 50l every 3 days?

 

[SensesFail]

Having tested tap water with a Ph of 7 leaving it for 36hrs it was then 7.5.

The electric yellow requires a Ph of 8.3-8.6 how would. Go about increasing the Ph safely? I used baking soda to increase it during cycling and it seemed to hold once up but what is the recommended having the fish health in mind. (as the would b in the tank)

 

[gunman]

Out of interest, is your 190l a corner tank?

I have a 160l mbuna tank with yellow labs, blue cobalts and hongi (Currently Juvi's mainly). They are some of the smaller species. Basic rules are over filter (by quite a margin), frequent water changes and overstock.

What are the dimensions of the 190l? Floor space is important for mbuna (like the yellow labs and blue cobalt), I've looked at a 190 corner tank it and seems to have good space.

The width is 40cm, length is 100cm and the height is 55cm. Its not a corner tank just a normal flat front it has an aquis advanced 1050 canister filter. I plan one day to buy the fluval F3 filter but that will be some time. I expect water change wise to carry out 50litres every other day? That was what I would have done for discus but should this be kept for this type of fish or can it be 50l every 3 days?

In my 160l tank, running an internal fluval 4 plus I do about 40l water changes twice a week. Testing the water shows nitrate of about 15ppm before a water change (0 ammonia or nitrite). So I would say your 50l every 3 days will be more than ample, of course it depends on your stocking levels too and your filter, most of my fish are juvi's, if they were adults I'd struggle I think with the current filter.

I was told as mine are young that good water is important for them to grow out. it doesnt cost much other than time so more is better in my opinion.

My tap water is has a PH reading of just under 7, my tank has 37KG of ocean rock which brings it up to around 7.8 - 8 (may not be the rock doing it but it is meant to help). That's as good as it's getting I think.

 

[gunman]

In my best Columbo voice - 'One more thing'

I ran the dimensions of your tank through the calc at the top of the page, comes out as 220l. Although it is quite a tall tank. Mine is 90cm long, 45cm high and about 38cm wide

 

[SensesFail]

In my best Columbo voice - 'One more thing'

I ran the dimensions of your tank through the calc at the top of the page, comes out as 220l. Although it is quite a tall tank. Mine is 90cm long, 45cm high and about 38cm wide

I have been looking further into cichlids and have come up with a shortened list a sort of final list.

Yellow Labs
Zebra Ludo also know as Labidochromis caeruleus Lundo
Iodotropheous Sprengerae (rusty cichlid)
And Maylandia Phaeos

Which of these would work? And will 6 be the limit or slightly more maybe 8? I do however wish to get 4-5 Syno petricolas (possibly the dwarf ones due to my tank size)

Am i better off focusing on 2 kinds of fish or even 3 but then the number of that particular fish would drop. l tank is getting their on the cylce would you recomend putting them all in together or maybe the cichlids first and then the Synos or even a few cichlids and a few synos?

Cheers Guys

Oh i do really love plecos but cant seem to find many for my tank and style i love the snowball pleco and the golden nugget? will that work?

Kind of looking for:

this is how many fish you should get,
Out of the list go with these:
Add this many first and then wait ..... before adding....

D any answers are good answers better to avoid making a mistake!

 

[SensesFail]

Would I get away with 10 cichlids and 4 or 5 syno catfish in my tank do your think?? Any suitable places out their?? Also what lighting tubes do I need I have T5 ones in at thevmo not sure what typevthey are came with the tank.