Malawis - Possible Issues!

[shellflanagan]

Hi All - I'm new to this so please bear with me.

We have a large tank which as of Thursday last week, contained 3 parrots, 2 blue acaras, 1 silver dollar, 1 firemouth, 1 large malawi and 3 small malawis - also a huge plec. Over thurs night/fir morning - the majority of them died - leaving the large malawi, silver dollar and plec. We have tested the water (which is spot on) and the man at our local fish shop seems to think it's a case of bullying and the big malawi has stressed everyone out! Really upsetting to see and also a lot of money was spent. This just seems strange that they've all died at the same time - none of them looked poorly.

We're now thinking of just buying a load of new malawis - any suggesstions/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks all

 

[Bloo]

suspect at the moment the very least of your worries are the malawi's.
Is the tank brand new ? or how long has it been set up ?
How large is the tank ? (dimensions as well as volume)
What malawi's are they ?
What type of plec is it ?
What are your water parameters (ph, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate ?). Who said your water is "spot on" ?

If it's a new tank, it's no surprise that they all died at the same time. Even if it's not a new tank, you have an amazing (worrying) mix of fish sharing the same tank.

 

[shellflanagan]

It's about 56 gallons I think (the husband is at work but he knows for def!) we've had it set up for about 10 mnths now. Nitrite and Ammonia both showed up clear and the ph was about 7.4

 

[Bloo]

So you've has all these fish in the tank for 10 months now ? Or have you added any fish recently ?
Is that US gallons or UK gallons ? Or if you don't know, do you know the model and make of your tank ?

 

[CFC]

As your water stats all showed clear and all was fine till the addition of the Malaiwis i would be inclined to go with the thoughts of the lfs worker,
Malaiwis due to their highly aggressive and territorial nature should never be mixed with other non Lake Malaiwi fish. They are only suitable for tanks stocked with just fish from Lake Malaiwi and of similar aggression levels so your choice of restocking the tank with just Malaiwis is the right one, though you will need to know the exact species you have so as to only buy compatable species.
The plec and silver dollar will need to be rehomed as they are not compatable with the Malaiwi Cichlids.

 

[freddyk]

There really are a lot of mbuna that would work. Have you checked out your local suppliers yet to see what's available or are you ording online? The thing about mbuna is that, with some exceptions, they should be kept with other mbuna.

 

[rixy]

go for it.make sure you do a lot of reading as malawi's can be nasty so and so's.i keep them and they are amazing.very fine substrate ie fine gravel,or,sand,plenty of rockwork to provide refuge,and,only keep malawi's with malawi's.there are a few exceptions to the rule ie synodontis.a prefered ph of 7.5 to 8.5 would be best for the fish.

 

[shellflanagan]

Thanks all - have been to lfs - ordered 15 mixed medium malawis. And just about to go and build some more rockwork!

Watch this space.............

 

[rixy]

ideal.put some pics on when you get the tank set up.

 

[aberdeen aquarist]

Hold on a minute before you go ordering more fish, try to find out what caused the deaths in the first place.
Did you add the large malawi shortly before the deaths? Who did you buy all the fish from? Was it the same lfs who has suggested buying more malawis?
If I were you, the first thing I'd do is take the fish you have left back to the shop you have ordered the others from, and as you have said, build up a lot of rockwork in the tank. Then start reading up on malawi cichlids, and start off with some relatively peaceful species, such as : labidochromis caereleus, pseudotropheus acei "yellow tail", iodotropheus sperengae or pseudotropheus saulosi. Try to get more females than males, as it'll spread any aggressive behaviour from the males, and give the females more chance for a peaceful life.

 

[Fish_Mike]

Thanks all - have been to lfs - ordered 15 mixed medium malawis. And just about to go and build some more rockwork!

Watch this space.............

No Very bad that they're mixed. They'll either be hybrids, poor quality or fish that aren't compatible, in example, L. Caeruleus + M. Auratus. Whenever you are buying Malawi Cichlids, make sure you know what you're getting!

 

[freddyk]

ordered 15 mixed medium malawis

Are you the gambling type? Maybe you've got good luck...