Width Of Tank?

[Ginge]

I have been told that 15" depth isnt enough for a malawi tank when all the rock is in the tank.
I have holy rock to put in the tank but i dont know the best way to arrange it either two large piles at eith end of the tank one huge plie in the middle or rock all the way along the bottom of the tank at the back.

 

[Ferris]

15" is OK, could be better but not a problem for Mbuna provided the length is OK. Use the rocks how you like but keep in mind the needs of the fish, plenty of hiding places is good so they feel secure and can retreat somewhere if needed.

 

[freddyk]

Certainly more depth opens up the options for decorating, but a great many people have very successful setups in tanks with only a 12" depth of the typical 55 gallon tank, so you're doing just fine with 15. Experiment with the rocks, you can change them any time - I change them anyway just for the heck of it all the time. Generally I like the rock reef filling the whole tank side to side, but it's nothing more then personal preference.

 

[Ginge]

When people say hiding places for the fish do they mean holes the fish can accually fit in to hide or just hide behind the rocks because it will be hard making hole for 5" maybee 6" fish to fit in.

 

[freddyk]

It's not worth over-analysing this one - all I do is pile up various sized rocks and let the caves define themselves. You'll be amazed at how small a cave those 5-6" fish can fit into.

 

[SPIKE88]

depending on what type of malawi' s we are talking about this width should do just fine. The average malawi is 4-6 inches with the exception of a few including the electric blue hap (one of my favorites) ehich can get up to 8 inches but should do fine in this tank. The malawi peacock can however get up to 13 inches. i am not an expert but i think that this fish may have trouble turning in a tank this width an may develop bent fish syndrome