Malawi Cichlid Combination

[johnuk4]

Hello all,

I am looking for a bit of advice when setting up a prodomenantly Cichlid tank. I have purchased a 240 litre/ 4ft tank, with a 300w heater and oxygen pump and external heater, the only problem now is what fish to purchase!

I have been looking at the following combination and would really appreciate some advice if anyone thinks it would be a problem, the last thing i want is an all out blood bath!

Here is the list:

2x Zebra cichlids
2x Peacock cichlids
2x Blue Dolphins
2x Pseudotropheus acei
2x Dwarf Mbuna Pseudotropheus demasoni
2x Tiger Barb
2x Rosy Barb

Any advice would be greatly recieved

Thanks

John

 

[Lord Fishheart]

Hello all,

I am looking for a bit of advice when setting up a prodomenantly Cichlid tank. I have purchased a 240 litre/ 4ft tank, with a 300w heater and oxygen pump and external heater, the only problem now is what fish to purchase!

I have been looking at the following combination and would really appreciate some advice if anyone thinks it would be a problem, the last thing i want is an all out blood bath!

Here is the list:

2x Zebra cichlids
2x Peacock cichlids
2x Blue Dolphins
2x Pseudotropheus acei
2x Dwarf Mbuna Pseudotropheus demasoni
2x Tiger Barb
2x Rosy Barb

Any advice would be greatly recieved

Thanks

John

Personally I would go all Mbuna

 

[Colin_T]

I have purchased a 240 litre/ 4ft tank, with a 300w heater and oxygen pump and external heater,
I gather you mean an external filter, not heater.

tiger and rosy barbs are schooling fishes that naturally occur in soft water, whereas the other fishes you listed are rift lake cichlids that come from hard alkaline water. The barbs would probably be hasselled by the cichlids and are not a good idea. Rainbowfish will tolerate the hard alkaline water and grow a bit bigger than the barbs, thus making them a better choice.
If you do want the barbs then increase their numbers to 6 or more of each type, and add them before you add the cichlids. And start with small/ young cichlids so they grow up with the barbs.

Make sure you cycle the tank and allow the filter to develop before you add any fish. Any ammonia produced will be very toxic in alkaline water.