Researching for my 1st cichlid tank..

Fishnoob78 · 11-12-2005, 05:06 PM

Hello, I have a 45 gallon bowfront thats I just started cycling with Eco Start tonight.

Id like to keep Africans and from what ive read fish from lake Malawi seem like a good first tank.

I've been reading up cichlids from lake Malawi and id like to know what types of Malawi's would better suit a newbie? I have some ideas of what types like yellow's, zebras but I'd like to see what everyone thinks.

Id like at least two different types of cichlids in my tank.

I dont want any breeding.

Also id like non agressive(for cichlids) fish.

What Malawi's, and how many and of what sex would be good for a first timer?

Again tank is a 45 gallon bowfront, plenty of rockwork and caves.

And also what other non cichlid fish could i keep in the tank, if at all possible. Like a algae eater, anything?

thanks for any help. I've read so much about them lately I feel like i'm studying for an exam.

**Scuba Kid** · 11-12-2005, 05:15 PM

you could keep a synodontis catfish with your cichlids.

Fishnoob78 · 11-12-2005, 06:04 PM

I looked up what a synodontis catfish looks like and they're exactly what I saw at the pet shop tonight in a cichlid tank. Thanks i'll probably add one of them.

Also cichlids from lake Malawi are known as mbuna's (umm-boo-na) correct?

**Osiris** · 11-12-2005, 07:31 PM

I would do a pea**** personally with 50/50 lighting, black tahiton moon sand, would really bring it out.

The mbuna are a mean species and stay mostly at the bottem. Pea****s are bigger, more colorful IMO. The syno multi's are very cool guys to go with them, a bit pricey at ur LFS mine here run $25-30 for one, but i sell them for only $8.50/each.

Fishnoob78 · 11-12-2005, 07:59 PM

After looking up pea****s for the last half hour I think i'll go with them. They seem to be more of what I was looking for.

What species of pea****s would be good for a first tank?

**Osiris** · 11-12-2005, 09:46 PM

all the same really. i would suggest this kind for a real diverse mix:
Aulo. Ngara flametail(reddish/blue), Aulo. Maleri, aulo. Lwanda red top, Aulo. Lemon jake, Sci. Fryeri(blue hap), Aulo. Rubscense(red).
That's a good starter for them. Even adding Tawinee reef & red empress(haps) be good too.

Fishnoob78 · 11-12-2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalawianPro

all the same really. i would suggest this kind for a real diverse mix:
Aulo. Ngara flametail(reddish/blue), Aulo. Maleri, aulo. Lwanda red top, Aulo. Lemon jake, Sci. Fryeri(blue hap), Aulo. Rubscense(red).
That's a good starter for them. Even adding Tawinee reef & red empress(haps) be good too.

I don't want any breeding at all. Can I get a tank with just males or females, or is there more to breeding than just having a tank with males and females?
This is all new to me. thanks

IloveCichlids · 11-13-2005, 01:32 AM

The Red Empress could get too big for that tank. I would stick with more peackocks than haps due too size, or just watch the full size of the Haps. I would go with all males as females do not color in the pea**** or hap. types.

Ngara Falmetail
Sunshine Maleri
Eureka
German red
Lwanda
Lemon Jake
Take a look at Cichlid-forum.com
go to profile Malawi Peackocks and Haps

Happy hunting

Fishnoob78 · 11-13-2005, 10:46 AM

If males and femals are mixed what is the % rate that a female could get pregnant? Is it a 100% sure thing?

Georgia Peach · 11-13-2005, 11:58 AM

not 100% I wouldnt think as some breed easier in captivity than others. I would say its about a 60% chance, depending on the species. Why are you so worried about them breeding?? You could always give the fry away..

**Osiris** · 11-13-2005, 12:59 PM

females are haps/pea****s are a dull grey color, males are always the most colorful ones.

DUSTIN323 · 11-13-2005, 02:58 PM

Yeah if they breed than just let nature take it's course in your tank I have a tank full of platies always having babies but only 2-3 from each batch grow up the others are eaten or get sucked up by the filter when there's too many I just get rid of a few. But I don't think they'll breed just like that I mean they're not like livebearers

Lisachromis · 11-13-2005, 08:47 PM

I would go all male as well, as pea****s and some haps crossbreed very easily and takes a long time for the males to colour up. That means that you won't know until it's way too late that a cross occured. An all male tank would also make a nice display.

Reefneck · 11-14-2005, 02:47 PM

Personally, I love the Pea****s and have been raising/breeding Malawians for over 15 years (With a 5 year break). I currently have 6 Lemon Labs in my tank (Small and very beautiful bottom dwellers) as well as a Syn. Ocellifer catfish. Now that I have lost every fish I bought at my LFS and a few nicer ones because of the LFS fish my tank is in great shape.

All 6 of my lemons came from MalawianPro and they have the most beautiful color to them. Excellent health and I highly reccomend you take his advise and perhaps even purchase from him if possible.

Having said that, Avoid live plants as the cichlids will destroy (or eat) them. Haps (Pea****s of the Alunacara Variety) are excellent mid water dwellers with supurb coloring. I try to mix males and females as most cichlids are territorial and males will fight, sometimes to the death in smaller tanks (Less that 100+ gals).

Avoid, P. Socilofi, M. Auratus and several other of the so called Mbuna's because they can and will get very aggressive. The Labidichromis (Lemon Labs) are peaceful as are the Alunacara.

I think you will enjoy your new friends very much.

Keri

emc7 · 11-19-2005, 12:00 AM

Get all males one of each kind since they're more aggressive toward conspecifics and in the presence of females. Many Mbuna breeder keep harems so there all always extra males. Stick with Pseudotropheus and Labidochromis. Melanochomis are too mean and most Pea****s get kind of big for your tank. Also avoid Socolofi (Pindani cichlid) and elongatus for aggression.

**Damon** · 11-19-2005, 12:59 AM

I would go with Lake Tang. Shellies. Just a personal preference though.

Fishnoob78 · 11-22-2005, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emc7

Get all males one of each kind since they're more aggressive toward conspecifics and in the presence of females. Many Mbuna breeder keep harems so there all always extra males. Stick with Pseudotropheus and Labidochromis. Melanochomis are too mean and most Pea****s get kind of big for your tank. Also avoid Socolofi (Pindani cichlid) and elongatus for aggression.

I definatly want to have Labidochromis in my tank. If I had my tank set up about a month ago I could of gotten a bunch of yellow fry from my lfs for so cheap.

I just looked up some Pseudotropheus. Nice looking fish. How many of the yellows and Pseudotropheus would you reccomend for a 46 gallon tank? Ill aslo be adding a few type of catfish, syno's maybe.

The tank has had nitrites for two days now so it should be to much longer.

**Cichlid Man** · 11-23-2005, 06:23 AM

You could have a tanginikan/malawi tank if you wish. This is one suggestion:
(All cichlids must be the same size otherwise you'll have aggression/overstocking problems etc)
3 kilos of tufa rock.
Coral sand
6 Neolamprologus brichardi (3 pairs)
4 N. lelupi (two pairs)
4 labidochromis (2 pairs)
2 synodontis
Or:
4 kilos of brown lavae rock (don't buy light stuff like the other setup, aggression will increase)
Non compacting sand
4 melanochromis auratus (1 male 3 females)
4 M. Johanni (1 male 3 females)
4 juliochromis (2 pairs of any smaller species)
4 Lamprologus compressiceps (two pairs)

Warning: The second list of fish is of a more aggressive set-up, and the fish mentioned shouldn't be mixed with the fish in the first list unless the tank is very spacious.
There are 16 fish in each setup. This is a nice number, don't go overcrowding and adding in fish each week that you haven't a clue about. A well planned tank is well worth the wait. Another thing is there should be a lot of rock with nooks and cranies in for the fish to hide in and feel more secure.

If these setups don't appeal to you, then a tank full of pea****s will be OK. But just remember that the setups mentioned above are well thought out setups that will cause minimal problems, with maximum enjoyment from the mix of fish and breeding from unique species. "Maliwian Pro" loves his Peac0cks, but doesn't know what he's missing by mixing tanginikans with malawis.

The pH must be between 8.3 and 8.5 if mixing malis and tangs.
Good luck, and remember don't add too many boring fish that don't look nice to add extra bioload to the filters, and don't put to few fish in that hide all the time otherwise you may as well just have a tank full of rocks with no heaters or filters.

ron v · 11-23-2005, 07:26 AM

Hi fishnoob. I just found this thread. Sounds like you are getting good advice on choosing fish. How is your cycle going. I'm not familiar with "eco-start". Some of that kind of stuff doesn't do anything for you. Good luck.

Fishnoob78 · 11-24-2005, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron v

Hi fishnoob. I just found this thread. Sounds like you are getting good advice on choosing fish. How is your cycle going. I'm not familiar with "eco-start". Some of that kind of stuff doesn't do anything for you. Good luck.

Yeah I have a feeling that it was pretty much a waste of money and not needed.

I'm really just looking for a simple tank. A couple types of cichlids and a few catfish. I know this may not seen interesting if you been doing this for a long time but i'm new at this and just want to keep them alive. If i could get 8-10 cichlids and 2-3 catfish id be happy.

11-12-2005, 05:06 PM	#1
Fishnoob78 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 30 Posts: 92	Researching for my 1st cichlid tank.. Hello, I have a 45 gallon bowfront thats I just started cycling with Eco Start tonight. Id like to keep Africans and from what ive read fish from lake Malawi seem like a good first tank. I've been reading up cichlids from lake Malawi and id like to know what types of Malawi's would better suit a newbie? I have some ideas of what types like yellow's, zebras but I'd like to see what everyone thinks. Id like at least two different types of cichlids in my tank. I dont want any breeding. Also id like non agressive(for cichlids) fish. What Malawi's, and how many and of what sex would be good for a first timer? Again tank is a 45 gallon bowfront, plenty of rockwork and caves. And also what other non cichlid fish could i keep in the tank, if at all possible. Like a algae eater, anything? thanks for any help. I've read so much about them lately I feel like i'm studying for an exam.

11-12-2005, 05:15 PM	#2
Scuba Kid Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: RI Age: 18 Posts: 4,224	you could keep a synodontis catfish with your cichlids. __________________ Current setups: 1800 gallon koi pond, 10 gallon planted, 150 gallon reef, other FOWLR tanks

11-12-2005, 07:31 PM	#4
Osiris Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 25 Posts: 3,722	I would do a pea** personally with 50/50 lighting, black tahiton moon sand, would really bring it out. The mbuna are a mean species and stay mostly at the bottem. Peas are bigger, more colorful IMO. The syno multi's are very cool guys to go with them, a bit pricey at ur LFS mine here run $25-30 for one, but i sell them for only $8.50/each. __________________ Reality is for people who can't handle Science-Fiction**

11-12-2005, 09:46 PM	#6
Osiris Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 25 Posts: 3,722	all the same really. i would suggest this kind for a real diverse mix: Aulo. Ngara flametail(reddish/blue), Aulo. Maleri, aulo. Lwanda red top, Aulo. Lemon jake, Sci. Fryeri(blue hap), Aulo. Rubscense(red). That's a good starter for them. Even adding Tawinee reef & red empress(haps) be good too. __________________ Reality is for people who can't handle Science-Fiction

11-13-2005, 01:32 AM	#8
IloveCichlids Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 29 Posts: 456	The Red Empress could get too big for that tank. I would stick with more peackocks than haps due too size, or just watch the full size of the Haps. I would go with all males as females do not color in the pea**** or hap. types. Ngara Falmetail Sunshine Maleri Eureka German red Lwanda Lemon Jake Take a look at Cichlid-forum.com go to profile Malawi Peackocks and Haps Happy hunting __________________ When you feel like this... , just watch your fish, & have a tasty beverage (of your choice, I like Kool-Aid)!

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11-12-2005, 06:04 PM	#3
Fishnoob78 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 30 Posts: 92	I looked up what a synodontis catfish looks like and they're exactly what I saw at the pet shop tonight in a cichlid tank. Thanks i'll probably add one of them. Also cichlids from lake Malawi are known as mbuna's (umm-boo-na) correct?

11-12-2005, 07:59 PM	#5
Fishnoob78 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 30 Posts: 92	After looking up pea**s for the last half hour I think i'll go with them. They seem to be more of what I was looking for. What species of pea**s would be good for a first tank?

11-13-2005, 10:46 AM	#9
Fishnoob78 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 30 Posts: 92	If males and femals are mixed what is the % rate that a female could get pregnant? Is it a 100% sure thing?

11-13-2005, 11:58 AM	#10
Georgia Peach Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Gray, Georgia Age: 42 Posts: 1,614	not 100% I wouldnt think as some breed easier in captivity than others. I would say its about a 60% chance, depending on the species. Why are you so worried about them breeding?? You could always give the fry away.. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Cichlids have more personality than most people I know !* Last edited by Georgia Peach; 11-13-2005 at 12:04 PM.

11-13-2005, 12:59 PM	#11
Osiris Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 25 Posts: 3,722	females are haps/pea**s are a dull grey color, males are always the most colorful ones. __________________ Reality is for people who can't handle Science-Fiction**

11-13-2005, 02:58 PM	#12
DUSTIN323 ~/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\~ Join Date: Sep 2005 Age: 20 Posts: 522	Yeah if they breed than just let nature take it's course in your tank I have a tank full of platies always having babies but only 2-3 from each batch grow up the others are eaten or get sucked up by the filter when there's too many I just get rid of a few. But I don't think they'll breed just like that I mean they're not like livebearers __________________ Gen1Performance.com Gen 1 Performance Forum

11-13-2005, 08:47 PM	#13
Lisachromis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 280	I would go all male as well, as pea****s and some haps crossbreed very easily and takes a long time for the males to colour up. That means that you won't know until it's way too late that a cross occured. An all male tank would also make a nice display. __________________ Lisa's Lair Cichlid Room Companion

11-14-2005, 02:47 PM	#14
Reefneck Senior Aquarist Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Near a Coral Reef Age: 47 Posts: 1,351	Personally, I love the Pea**s and have been raising/breeding Malawians for over 15 years (With a 5 year break). I currently have 6 Lemon Labs in my tank (Small and very beautiful bottom dwellers) as well as a Syn. Ocellifer catfish. Now that I have lost every fish I bought at my LFS and a few nicer ones because of the LFS fish my tank is in great shape. All 6 of my lemons came from MalawianPro and they have the most beautiful color to them. Excellent health and I highly reccomend you take his advise and perhaps even purchase from him if possible. Having said that, Avoid live plants as the cichlids will destroy (or eat) them. Haps (Pea**s of the Alunacara Variety) are excellent mid water dwellers with supurb coloring. I try to mix males and females as most cichlids are territorial and males will fight, sometimes to the death in smaller tanks (Less that 100+ gals). Avoid, P. Socilofi, M. Auratus and several other of the so called Mbuna's because they can and will get very aggressive. The Labidichromis (Lemon Labs) are peaceful as are the Alunacara. I think you will enjoy your new friends very much. Keri

11-19-2005, 12:00 AM	#15
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,304	Get all males one of each kind since they're more aggressive toward conspecifics and in the presence of females. Many Mbuna breeder keep harems so there all always extra males. Stick with Pseudotropheus and Labidochromis. Melanochomis are too mean and most Pea****s get kind of big for your tank. Also avoid Socolofi (Pindani cichlid) and elongatus for aggression.

11-19-2005, 12:59 AM	#16
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	I would go with Lake Tang. Shellies. Just a personal preference though. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

11-23-2005, 06:23 AM	#18
Cichlid Man Super moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,100	You could have a tanginikan/malawi tank if you wish. This is one suggestion: (All cichlids must be the same size otherwise you'll have aggression/overstocking problems etc) 3 kilos of tufa rock. Coral sand 6 Neolamprologus brichardi (3 pairs) 4 N. lelupi (two pairs) 4 labidochromis (2 pairs) 2 synodontis Or: 4 kilos of brown lavae rock (don't buy light stuff like the other setup, aggression will increase) Non compacting sand 4 melanochromis auratus (1 male 3 females) 4 M. Johanni (1 male 3 females) 4 juliochromis (2 pairs of any smaller species) 4 Lamprologus compressiceps (two pairs) Warning: The second list of fish is of a more aggressive set-up, and the fish mentioned shouldn't be mixed with the fish in the first list unless the tank is very spacious. There are 16 fish in each setup. This is a nice number, don't go overcrowding and adding in fish each week that you haven't a clue about. A well planned tank is well worth the wait. Another thing is there should be a lot of rock with nooks and cranies in for the fish to hide in and feel more secure. If these setups don't appeal to you, then a tank full of pea***s will be OK. But just remember that the setups mentioned above are well thought out setups that will cause minimal problems, with maximum enjoyment from the mix of fish and breeding from unique species. "Maliwian Pro" loves his Peac0cks, but doesn't know what he's missing by mixing tanginikans with malawis. The pH must be between 8.3 and 8.5 if mixing malis and tangs. Good luck, and remember don't add too many boring fish that don't look nice to add extra bioload to the filters, and don't put to few fish in that hide all the time otherwise you may as well just have a tank full of rocks with no heaters or filters. __________________ If you have a big enough tank with enough hiding places, pH of around 7, you can keep virtually any fish together as long as all the fish are around the same size and these two groups of fish are avioded: Serrasalmus Tetradon(figure eights and dwarfs are the exception). I keep a successful community of fish in a 4 foot tank including the following families: Cichlids, tetras, loaches, gouramis, barbs, rainbows, livebearers, killiefish, catfish, puffers. Last edited by Cichlid Man; 11-23-2005 at 06:30 AM.*

11-23-2005, 07:26 AM	#19
ron v Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Alabama Age: 61 Posts: 1,123	Hi fishnoob. I just found this thread. Sounds like you are getting good advice on choosing fish. How is your cycle going. I'm not familiar with "eco-start". Some of that kind of stuff doesn't do anything for you. Good luck.

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