My Aunt's African Cichlid Tank

[Death by Fish Tanks]

My aunt decided to switch her about 40 gallon tank for a Labidochromis reef. Let's watch the process!

 

[Death by Fish Tanks]

Just a few weeks away from adding fish. I can hardly wait

 

[Death by Fish Tanks]

Had to get new plants, since her folks didn't give them light. We also got the tanks 3 founding males. The girls are coming soon.

 

[TNG]

What fish did your aunt keep in that aquarium before converting it to a Malawi cichlid tank? Just asking as the water parameters for Malawi cichlids and whatever fish she had kept before could be quite different.

The fish in your tank are males. With luck, they may co-exist. But once you have females in the tank and they attempt to breed, each species will try to establish their own territory by chasing or killing others. So my advice is, do not have females in the tank until you have done more reading on each species and understand their needs and behaviours.

It’s a rewarding experience keeping Lake Malawi cichlids - when you get it right.

 

[Death by Fish Tanks]

The fish in your tank are males. With luck, they may co-exist. But once you have females in the tank and they attempt to breed, each species will try to establish their own territory by chasing or killing others.

We did research on Mbuna behavior, and we know males get territorial when a female are on the reef. We make sure to have adequate housing space in the rocks for subdominant males as well as fry.

As for water parameters, I don't know personally, but they're adequate for me so kind of cichlids, as her folks have had them before.

 

[FranciscoB]

They need at least some sandy areas in the tank. It should not be all lava rock. Also, although lava rock is ok, better would be to use carbonate-type rocks, or a mixture including carbonate-based sand. That is particularly important if your water’s pH is neutral or less, which those fish do not thrive in. What size is the tank? It looks small for mbuna. Good luck!

 

[Death by Fish Tanks]

They need at least some sandy areas in the tank. It should not be all lava rock. Also, although lava rock is ok, better would be to use carbonate-type rocks, or a mixture including carbonate-based sand. That is particularly important if your water’s pH is neutral or less, which those fish do not thrive in. What size is the tank? It looks small for mbuna. Good luck!

We made sure to leave areas sandy. The tank is about 40 gallons, the smallest space recommended for Mbunas. I don't know the water parameters as it's not my tank, but the fish are indeed thriving from video my aunt shares. Thanks for the recommendation for the rocks! I'll have to look into it.

 

[Death by Fish Tanks]

More fish and lava rock.

 

[GaryE]

But there are no Labidochromis that I can see!

Good set up - you'll enjoy that tank.

 

[Wills]

I'm hooked on Mbuna at the moment a great group of fish.

Do you know what species you have in there? I can't quite ID all of them? I can see a few Metriaclima species in there (red zebra and the cobalt blue) and I think you have some kind of Maingaino but I've not seen the cross sort of pattern on the first set of photos before. Long term you might struggle with a 40g with some of these species, though when I say long term things can go bad over night with these fish... but also the wonderful thing about Mbuna is they are so unpredictable it might be fine.

Wills

 

[Death by Fish Tanks]

I'm hooked on Mbuna at the moment a great group of fish.

Do you know what species you have in there? I can't quite ID all of them? I can see a few Metriaclima species in there (red zebra and the cobalt blue) and I think you have some kind of Maingaino but I've not seen the cross sort of pattern on the first set of photos before. Long term you might struggle with a 40g with some of these species, though when I say long term things can go bad over night with these fish... but also the wonderful thing about Mbuna is they are so unpredictable it might be fine.

Wills

Hey bud! I can identify some.

The second pic is a Johanni, the third pic has a "Red" Zebra(Top) and Cobalt Blue Zebra(Bottom), and the last pic is a Kenyi.

Edit: Here's a picture of a less shabby Johanni or Maingano

 

[Death by Fish Tanks]

But there are no Labidochromis that I can see!

Good set up - you'll enjoy that tank.

Ah, that was the WIP name. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[Death by Fish Tanks]

Decided to take extra males out to make space for future females.

 

[Death by Fish Tanks]

Got more girl mbuna for my aunt

Thanks to Ron's Cichlids!

 

[Death by Fish Tanks]

Did a water change with my aunt's colony today. Everyone looks great!