Smaller Cichlid Set Ups, Anyone Running One?...

[NickBFC]

Having finally got my community tank looking how I like, I am getting itchy feet to have a change! I have always liked the look of Malawis, and leaving in an area with a PH of 8-8.2 seems pretty good for these fish. The problem I have is the space where I keep my tank is a little tight, I currently have a Rio 125 tank which looks too small for nearly all Malawis I believe. Is anyone running a smaller set up successfully? Maybe 160-180 litres if 125 really is too small? I could accommodate a much larger tank elsewhere in the house but it really isn't an option at the moment unfortunately.

 

[the_lock_man]

There are some smaller shelldwelling African cichlids, but they're not so colourful as Malawis.

 

[NickBFC]

Cheers, will have a look. Don't suppose you know the species names at all? Looks like the Malawis are a double edged sword really in the fact you should over populate to combat possible behavioral issues meaning an even larger tank needed! Should I be looking at a minimum of 200-250ltrs for Malawi? Guessing tank shape, longer the better rather than height/depth?
 
From what I can see re dwarf's, Lodotropheus Sprengerae and Labidochromis would be okay in a 125ltr?

 

[TooManyChoices]

Lamprologus ocellatus is one of the gorgeous shell dwellers, only get about 2" long!

Lamprologus multifasciatus are a more common, and less colourful species.

 

[NickBFC]

Thanks, they look nice. Are there any others that would be suitable for a 125-150ltr tank?

 

[r.w.girard]

I don't know the answer to this but what about Pseudotropheus saulosi?  My little understanding of Mbuna is that surface area is more important as they tend to stay towards the bottom of the tank.  So for them, which grow to between three or four inches long, how big of a tank does one need?  Next question of course, is how many, if any?

 

[NickBFC]

I love those, but looks like a 55g tank is the minimal size which again is probably too big for the space I am using