Stocking For 125g Malawi Tank?

[catherine896]

We are currently setting up a 5x2x2 (125g) tank which I will be keeping Malawi in, I wanted to check my stocking levels are OK and that the fish I choose are compatible?

2 x Red Zebra's - Pseudotropheus Zebra
4 x Marble Peacock - Aulonocara sp.
4 x Yellow Labs - Labidochromis Caeruleus
2 x Golden Malawi - Melanochromis Auratus
4 x Red Top Ice Blue - Pseudotropeus Greshakei
1 x Featherfin Catfish

We already have 1/2 of the first 4 species so just need to up the numbers. These are in a seperate tank at the moment whilst we get the 5x2x2 up and running.

How many more do you think the tank could house comfortably?

Is there any other species that would do well with these?

Also, whats the best plants to use?

Thanks alot.

 

[wolfwolf]

Pretty sure you do not have enough fish listedfor a 125 gallon tank. Maybe bump up the number of fish for each species. Hmm, check on the auratas. I think you will see advice online that you will need at least 4 females for the male.

 

[dthoffsett]

You could easily up all the cichlids to 6, however, I would like to caution you on your stocking. M.auratus is likely the most aggressive mbuna available, and have been known to wipe out an entire tank overnight. There have been countless people who have gotten them, and have no problems for months, then wake up to slaughter. You'll definately only want one male, if you decide to keep them, all females might be a better bet.

Also, keep an eye on your peacocks, they are very peaceful compared to mbuna and are likely the first ones to be picked on.

For plants, give this a read: [URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277841"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277841[/URL]

I wish you luck on your tank, and make sure you have tons of rockwork for everyone to hide.

 

[catherine896]

I might keep the Auratus seperate then when they go into the bigger tank.

Thanks alot

 

[ChiNA MaN]

up the amounts on all of em

 

[dthoffsett]

I might keep the Auratus seperate then when they go into the bigger tank.

Thanks alot

Sounds like a plan, be sure to take lots of pics for us. Oh, and if you keep the m.auratus out of the mix, you could add another species. Pseudotropheus Acei would be a great addition if you can source them, they're on the peaceful side and tend to hang out at the top of the tank. I found they work as a great dither fish if your labs are a little shy.

 

[catherine896]

This is what we have decided on so far.

Aulonocara sp. - Marble Peacock
Aulonocara eureka
Pseudotropheus lombardoi - Kenyi
Labidochromis Caeruleus - Yellow Labs
Labidochromis sp.'hongi'
Pseudotropheus sp. "msobo"

Will there be any problems with these?

Whats you opinions on mixing mbuna and peacocks?

Thanks.

 

[dthoffsett]

This is what we have decided on so far.

Aulonocara sp. - Marble Peacock
Aulonocara eureka
Pseudotropheus lombardoi - Kenyi
Labidochromis Caeruleus - Yellow Labs
Labidochromis sp.'hongi'
Pseudotropheus sp. "msobo"

Will there be any problems with these?

Whats you opinions on mixing mbuna and peacocks?

Thanks.

Well, you managed to pick another pretty aggressive species , p.lombardoi aren't as aggressive as m.auratus but still likely to bother your peacocks. Labidochromis species are known to hybridize, but as long as you don't let any resulting fry out of your tank I don't see a problem with it.

I'm not a big fan of mixing peacocks and mbuna as peacocks are usually on the losing end of aggression, and with the exception of l.caeruleus (and some of the c.afra species) mbuna are herbivores. The best way to make sure your peacocks are getting the "meat" they need and the mbuna aren't getting to much, you can add spirulina enhanced brine shrimp once a week.

With tons of rockwork and a larger tank, you may be ok with mbuna and peacocks together, but you'll want to stick with less aggressive mbuna, and you'll still want to watch your tank very closely and quickly remove/rehome any bullies.

 

[catherine896]

Thanks alot for the advice

Well up to today my Marbled Peacock was very quiet and shy, today he is bullying my big Red Zebra! He will not stop, Ive re-arranged the tank and it stopped for about 10 minutes then he was off again!

The 5x2x2 should be setup within the next few days so that should give them tons of room to avoid eachother.

Thanks again

 

[catherine896]

Decided I'm not going to go with any peacocks and try to stick to just mbuna.

here's a new list-

Labidochromis sp.'hongi'
Pseudotropheus lombardoi - Kenyi
Pseudotropheus sp. "msobo"
Pseudotropheus zebra - Red Zebra
Pseudotropheus saulosi

Will all the Pseudotropheus breed with each other or will they stick to there own kind?

Any recommendations which you think would look nice and would fit in well?

Thanks.

 

[dthoffsett]

Decided I'm not going to go with any peacocks and try to stick to just mbuna.

here's a new list-

Labidochromis sp.'hongi'
Pseudotropheus lombardoi - Kenyi
Pseudotropheus sp. "msobo"
Pseudotropheus zebra - Red Zebra
Pseudotropheus saulosi

Will all the Pseudotropheus breed with each other or will they stick to there own kind?

Any recommendations which you think would look nice and would fit in well?

Thanks.

There is always a chance that mbuna will cross breed, but providing plenty of females of each species should cut down on the chances. Pseudotropheus Zebra - Red Zebra is actually Metriaclima estherae. The only possible problem I see are the Lombardoi (actually metriaclima not pseudotropheus ) and the P.saulosi, as they have similar coloration. I'd probably just go with one or the other, and pick something else in their place. As I said before P.acei are a great species if you can source them, or the Greshakei you originally mentioned should work with this group too.