Need Advice On Malawi Cichlids

[SharonCC]

well gotta tell us what you started with, what happened and what you ened up with. So you only have 1 fish other than labs?

Ah, time to confess...keep in mind I did this in very early days of fishkeeping!
I started with Blue kenyi, Red Zebras, Yellow Labs, and a Blue Ahli... I now have the Blue Ahli, several Yellow labs including adults, juveniles, and babies, as they have bred several times...and one Red Zebra. I rehomed one of the Blue kenyis...the other didn't grow properly and was the most placid fish in the tank, and everyone picked on her. She died last month. I rehomed a Red Zebra, named Lucifer for good reason. The other Zebra is now the BOSS, but he doesn't injure the others. He does like to chase them, though.

If I could do it over, I would not use my 30gal tank for this type of fish...although now, with just the remaining fish, it works OK. I know they need a bigger tank. My 30 gal is 2.5 feet long, and loaded with rockwork. I'm not planning on upgrading, as I find the constant bickering doesn't appeal to me...

Sorry for the thread hijack, but I suppose it is related to the questions asked...

 

[kj23502]

Sure it's related. If you say there's been issues we can all learn from what you did and what happened.

Personally, I'd rehome that last Zebra. Labs and Zebra's have been known to hybridize and since there's only one zebra....guess what'll happen when nature calls Unless you're not planning on selling any fish at all. I'd be pissed if I later found out I was sold a hybrid. Do your first yellows have black on them? What about the fry?


With the last two questions I'm just testing a theory....PLEASE answer honestly if they have black or not!!!!! I beg of you

Thanks

p.s. not that you wouldn't....just stating I need exact science answers

 

[SharonCC]

When you say the first labs, do you mean the oldest adult labs or the oldest "babies" that are now juveniles?

 

[kj23502]

The very first(original) labs you put in there. Not any fry from your very first existing stock. Then do the babies(any fry from the original) have black?

Thanks

 

[fishyfeet]

malawi cichlids should be kept in a species setup, excluding plecos etc

is all this putting you off malawis, it is me, i cant believe we both have the same size tank and want to do the same thing, did you realise denise? di

 

[kj23502]

malawi cichlids should be kept in a species setup, excluding plecos etc

is all this putting you off malawis, it is me, i cant believe we both have the same size tank and want to do the same thing, did you realise denise? di

Has anyone told you why? In the lake where these fish come from, they have to defend their territory/females furiously or it will be taken by another male. That whole concept seems to be in their genes and even when they are line bred generations later in the home aquaria they still carry that same tendency. They are beautiful fish, in fact some say the most colorful next to saltwater fish, but they do require a bit of a different tank than the average molly or guppy. They aren't for everyone. Some people don't like to watch the chasing and the occasional attack on another fish. Some start out the entirley wrong way and end up with the most aggressive types in a little tank and then get a bad taste in their mouth when that one starts wiping out the tank. It's great fun to watch their shimming and dancing and overall behavior, that's why I'm keeping them even though I'm moving to saltwater fish.

 

[SharonCC]

In answer to question, all fish have black on the fins, and one Lab(original) has pale black smudging around his face( I read that this is from poor breeding). The black on the fins is more predominant on some but it's there on all...Why do you ask?

 

[kj23502]

I was reading on cichlid forum that a moderator said a theory is that some yellows w/out black are hybrids with red zebra's. I would be they are hybrids anyway. I would doubt the dominant zebra would let the others breed. The tank is small enough that he'll be able to keep a watchful eye and I would think he'd break up anything in progress.

I could, of course, be wrong It's just a guess that I feel is pretty substantiated given the aggressive protective nature of these fish.

 

[zebra]

your tank is ok for malawis keep mbuna around 20 max and rock it all out as these fish are agreesive getting 1-2 inch juveinles is your best bet they normally grow to/5 inches im a malawi breeder so i should know something i think, regards

 

[nuttyJD]

I'm still undecided!! What about the "Dwarf" varieties?

Leanne

 

[kj23502]

Nutty:

nm, it's a tad less than 40 usg.

This is frustrating for me b/c you have the length, but the heights short. Thing is, where do we really draw the line?

I'll say yes, proceed with caution. Watch what you put in very carefully. You're looking at 10 total fish. I wouldn't have any that get very big either.


Say Labs(Labidochromis caeruleus), Rusties (Iodotropheus sprengerae), Pseudotropheus socolofi, Cynotilapia afra (Chewere), Metriaclima callainos. Just a few for you to look at/research.

I would do 5 socolofi w/5 labs and see how it goes. Try to get only 2 males (1 soc. and 1 lab) albeit it's hard to sex them.

 

[ParsonsD]

Hi, im currently using my mobile phone to view the internet at the minute, so the threads everywhere, and unsure whats happening as of now.. But just to let you know that i have 4foot tank with cichlids, i have gravel substrate, but alot of rockwork. In my tank i have 3 yellow labs, 3mbuna, and approx. 8 Metriaclima greshakei, and they are all happy, and healthy =]
let me know the outcome. =] dean

 

[kj23502]

Hi, im currently using my mobile phone to view the internet at the minute, so the threads everywhere, and unsure whats happening as of now.. But just to let you know that i have 4foot tank with cichlids, i have gravel substrate, but alot of rockwork. In my tank i have 3 yellow labs, 3mbuna, and approx. 8 Metriaclima greshakei, and they are all happy, and healthy =]
let me know the outcome. =] dean

all the fish you mentioned are mbuna mbuna covers many genus's of fish and isn't a species.