Made The Move

[kev350d]

This was my plan from the offset as I always loved the Malawi Cichlid's but around here they are rarely seen in LFS so decided to go with community species instead, after researching and finding local breeders I decided to sell all the community fish and decor and make the switch.

I have always loved marine set up's but never liked or justified the price tag that comes with them, hence why I decided to go with the current theme, I had thought of replicating the malawi's habitat but considering alot of the fish we purchase now have never seen nor been near the lake that this was not essential.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

And a few pics of some of the fish (all juvi's as I want to watch them color up over the coming months):

I'm finding it a very steep learning curve and an absoloute nightmare to try and remember the different names of the Malawi's / African's

I did retain my breeding pair of Bristlenose Plec's and they have took extremely well to the change in water chemistry.

 

[angelmouse]

WOW that looks really good,the coral works well. I`m just in the process of starting my first malawi tank, also looked into marines but thought this a cheaper option. Great photo`s of your fish too, like the bottom one. Stocking the tank with compatible fish that won`t kill each other in the first week is my biggest worry.
Angel

 

[adambrum]

Can you post the species list i can see that you will have a bit of trouble soon as you have mbuna and haps mixed

The tank does look really nice

 

[MEePStER]

yes like adambrum said you could very soon be seeing problems with your mbuna and haps you should post the stocking on for us to help other then that the tank looks really good, good job

 

[kev350d]

Only reason I have the Haps (electra) and Peacocks (Aulonocara stuartgranti "cobue") with the mbuna (Labs, metriaclima callainos) is the local breeder who I have been buying from has kept mbuna with haps for over 35yr with little or no problems, although I have read on the internet that it may result in disaster (this was also said about many species of south african species I kept previously with no issue's) but don't get me wrong should I see any severe aggression then I will part company with the mbuna (apart from the labs).

It's quite a hard learning curve as many people I spoke to said bn plecs were a non starter yet everyone who has kept africans for any length of time said they are fantastic in there. I believe in trial and error as rumours are spread like forest fire's on the net "if someone has something that doesn't work then soon 200 people agree". So far I have breeding discus in a planted tank with tap water with a PH of 6.8 that have already had one succesfull brood and share the aquarium with clown loach, gourami's 2 male pearl and one female (the males are gay lol) as they pay her no attention and havent for 12 month this breaks the normal rules of an empty tank with ro water but it works for these..

This said I know alot wont mix the species but alot do, if these dont work I will settle for peacocks and haps.

 

[Ferris]

Mixing Haps and Mbuna is not neccessarily an issue. If the tank is big enough and the species are carefully selected - there shouldn't be a problem. I would personally try it in a Trigon 350 like yours - should be enough room.

Peacocks are hit and miss with Mbuna - i've had more problems than successes but again - it can be done, especially if the Peacocks are larger than the Mbuna when they are added to the tank.

It's like anything - give it a try provided you have a backup plan such as a spare tank or the ability to return any problematic fish to your LFS. A divider is always handy for emergencies aswell.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

looks really good kev as ever