africans marked as assorted african cichlids

[vaypourus]

I've found that most "Assorted African Cichlids" are generally peacock and mbuna from lake Malawi. I have seen some fish that are obvious hybrids, and most (if not all) are of line bred, poor color and size, inbred specimens. I've also seen some African river basin fish thrown into the same tanks. I have yet to see a Lake Victoria or lake Tangankyika fish mixed.

After keeping many, many africans, I would recommend a LFS that gets better fish from area breeders rather than a big box/chain pet store. You are going to want to do a lot of research, because pristine water and high aggression are two big considerations.

 

[torbayguy]

The thing with mixed tanks, as has already been said, the fish are awful quality.
Mixed breeds, inbred, diseased, stunted, you name it.
You will never get a bargain from one of these tanks.
If they are sold cheap, then they have been purchased cheap, its the rule of business!
Dont buy from these places.
Go to your local independant shop, talk to the staff, look at the fish.
Yes, they might be a quid or 2 more expensive, but you will be buying quality stock, that has been reared humainly.
And most importantly ypu will know what you are buying.
Any shop that cant id their stock, is a shop that shouldnt be trading.