My Malawi Tank

[stang1]

After months of indecision, we have finally set up a Malawi tank. Can't understand what took us so long because it's great!
The tank is 137G and runs two external filters.

We currently have:
3 x Iodotropheus Sprengerae
3 x Pseudotropheus Gracillior
3 x Pseudotropheus Acei
3 x Tropheops "Red Fin"

We want it to be Mbuna only and don't want anything that gets too big.
Any ideas on what to add next and how many Cichlids could we keep in this tank without cramming them in?
Any help much appreciated.

 

[kj23502]

40 fish at the most What do you consider to be to big? I'd add 4 pseudotropheus crabro "bumble bee". They get to around 7" so about the same size as the grown Acei will.

How about:
Labidochromis cearleus-stunning yellow,
Metriaclima Estherea-stunning red/orange (if you're not trying to breed them, otherwise they will cross breed w/yellow labs.),
pundamilia nyererei -not mbuna but mbuna-like from Lake Victoria. Adult males are rainbow colored gorgousness.
pseudotropheus socolofi-beatuiful blue

Whatcha think about those ideas? I guess it all depends on what you can find locally as well

 

[dthoffsett]

If you want to go mbuna only, the tropheus would need to be rehomed as they are a Lake Tanganikya species. They'll work just fine with mbuna, just thought I'd point it out in case you want to be a purist. They are also very prone to bloat, so you'll want to avoid keeping any carnivores.

First before adding anymore species I'd up the numbers of the ones you already have. You have a large enough tank to keep a decent amount of several species. I'd aim for 6-8 per species.

Love your tank set up.

 

[stang1]

Thanks to you both for your replies and thanks dthoffset for the compliment!
I can't take any credit as the better half put it all together. I'm too short to reach too far into the tank....
I thought the Tropheops were Mbuna, checked on Cichlidforum and that's what they come under?
I think it's worth upping the numbers on what we have, like you suggest, would 6 of each be ok?
The other half really likes the Estherae so will eventually be adding those, love the Socolofi too.
Thanks again and I'll keep you posted.

 

[kj23502]

Tropheops is from Malawi and Tropheus is Tanganyikan 6 sounds good!!

 

[dthoffsett]

Tropheops is from Malawi and Tropheus is Tanganyikan 6 sounds good!!

Oh how embarassing, I thought you wrote tropheus, that's what I get for reading in a hurry.

And I agree around 6-8 a species would be good.

 

[stang1]

Don't worry, we've all done it at some point.
Thanks to you both, you've been a great help.
I'll be adding at least another 3 of each one to the tank as I'm convinced a couple of the Acei are males.
I've got some Pseudotropheus Williamsi "Blue Lips" coming in next week, had a read up on them and they seem suitable for the tank. Any ideas on this one? I just want to make sure it's right, I don't think the other half will relish having to strip the tank to get any fish out!

 

[dthoffsett]

I've got some Pseudotropheus Williamsi "Blue Lips" coming in next week, had a read up on them and they seem suitable for the tank. Any ideas on this one? I just want to make sure it's right, I don't think the other half will relish having to strip the tank to get any fish out!

Sounds like an interesting addition.

 

[stang1]

Thanks again.
I've upped the numbers of the existing fish to 5 of each species, I've also added some Metriaclima Estherae "O.B".
I'm praying the "Blue Lips" arrive as I think they are stunning.
Sorry to be a pain but can you tell me whether the Socolofi are highly aggressive or not? I've had mixed reviews about their aggression levels so really don't know whether to add some or not.
Thanks again in advance.

 

[Ace Of Spades]

Thanks again.
I've upped the numbers of the existing fish to 5 of each species, I've also added some Metriaclima Estherae "O.B".
I'm praying the "Blue Lips" arrive as I think they are stunning.
Sorry to be a pain but can you tell me whether the Socolofi are highly aggressive or not? I've had mixed reviews about their aggression levels so really don't know whether to add some or not.
Thanks again in advance.

Well my 3 favourite looking Mbuna are:

C. Afra (Coube)
Crabro
Yellow Labs

I like these 3 and the afra and labs dont get very big at all. I like the Gold Color and orange on the nose of the Afra.

Your tank looks amazing, I love the Background, sand and rockwork

 

[dthoffsett]

Sorry to be a pain but can you tell me whether the Socolofi are highly aggressive or not? I've had mixed reviews about their aggression levels so really don't know whether to add some or not.
Thanks again in advance.

You're not a pain at all, nice to see someone doing research before adding fish.
I understand the albino socolofi are more aggressive than the "standard" version, however, IMO they're in the middle of the mbuna aggression scale (sounds fancy, huh). Males might go after any other blue fish, but nothing overly aggressive (barring a hyper-aggressive male which is always a chance).

 

[stang1]

Does sound fancy!
I might add some Socolofi then, I do love the colour of them and we need a bit more blue in the tank!
I appreciate the help and I suspect I may be calling on you again.