African cichlids that will survive musk turtle tank mates?

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breakspirit

Candiru
MFK Member
Jan 23, 2009
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I'm setting up a 40gallon tank(breeder size) for a couple of musk turtles I'll be getting soon. They stay pretty small their whole lives, so they're a good match for the tank. However, I'd like to put some fish in there with them and the fish store guy suggested african cichlids.

I know that it's very possible that the turtles will some day turn on the cichlids so I'll be providing lots of hiding places for the fish. Also, the tank will be way over filtered(eheim canister), so that's not a concern for me.

The question is this: which fish(not necessarily african cichlids I guess) would be the best possible choice for this scenario? I've never heard of musk turtles eating fish of significant size, but I'm sure it's possible, so I'll probably stick to relatively cheap fish.

I'm asking this question here because I have no experience with African cichlids and would like some potential stocking ideas and/or thoughts on the entire idea. I suppose I'll really only be able to stock a few fish in the tank with 2 turtles, so I'm not expecting too much. Thanks for any input!

Edit: I should mention that the tank will be filled to the top with the basking platform mounted on top of the tank.
 
+1 for mubuna. They're tough and will breed easily to keep their numbers up.

Convicts will work as well for the same reasons, but they're not Africans. :)
 
Hey mike btw, I aM a convict fan the way they breed u may see good , natural food for them dont know what they eat though, bright blue outline around the white and black stripes they are nice fish when happy. 3-4 girls one boy u be set. Orange bellies = girls , prolly smaller than males too after like 1.5 inches
 
get some auratus. Theyre mbuna also just make sure get 1 male and a couple females.
 
Sorry to say, I don't think it's a good idea.

For one, the minimum size usually recomended for Malawis/Mbuna is 55 gal (UK).

Also for the Malawis to be happy, they need roughly 1/3 rocks. Not sure how that will fit in with the turtles.

I have never kept turtles, but I would imagine that they produce a lot of waste. In such a small tank, I imagine it will be difficult to keep the water quality stable.

Also, when it comes to feeding, how are you going to make sure your fish don't eat the turtle food? Malawis prefer a vegetable based diet. A more meaty diet will cause them harm long term.
 
im with yoda....BAD IDEA!!!

you can try, there is no hurt done by just trying, expecting nothing.

but, i'm a fan of one or the other, fish, or turtles.

and... as previously stated, turtles do create a lot of waste, and have much different lighting, feeding, tank requirements than do the cichlids. turtles love to eat fish, musk turtles like them less than others, but a full grown turtle will go after fish. and in a 40b, you can only keep 1, maybe....maybe 2 musk turtle adults.

so just think about it somemore...
 
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