All male 55g Malawi

[Corrado93]

Hi

I have never attempted an all male Malawi tank. But the time has come where i need to try it. I have several tanks where i need to remove certain fish in order to maintain balance. Some of the fish i need to remove are beautiful and i have had for a long time.
So instead of trading them to the LFS where only certain death awaits them, i am thinking of setting up a 55g (4ft) with only sand substrate and no rocks or decor so no territories can be established. Also overcrowding, i was thinking at least 10 full grown Malawi Male Cichlids. Unfortunatley due to space and funds, i can only go as big as a 55g.
What do you think? Worth a try or inevitable failure?
So far the Males i actually have are:
Labidochromis Caeruleus 5"
Red Empress 6"
P. Aceii 5.5"
Lab Pearlmut 4.5"
thanks
C

 

[mike dunagan]

No territories means the whole tank is a territory. Also means not line of sight break. Constant harassment for anyone that is at the bottom of the pecking order.

 

[Corrado93]

No territories means the whole tank is a territory. Also means not line of sight break. Constant harassment for anyone that is at the bottom of the pecking order.

Any suggestions on how to make it work? And can it be done in a 55G.
I have never tried an all male tank so i need some input from those who have.
thanks.

 

[Marius]

Any suggestions on how to make it work? And can it be done in a 55G.
I have never tried an all male tank so i need some input from those who have.
thanks.

Short answer, no.

Now about suggestions, a few if I may: get a 6' tank -the larger the better, ideally 180+ gal- and forget about Mbuna males, because they don't work in Malawi all male communities. Better stick to Peacock males and small/medium Haps community for up to 180, large haps for over 180.

 

[Dez.]

Here's a great informative write up on how to achive such a hard mix of fish, good luck! and apologies for steering you away from MFK

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/all-male_malawi.php

 

[Malawi Hawk]

Sometimes the LFS has 75 gal. on sale almost cheaper than 55 gal. evry now and then or you pay like 40 more dollars. Thats how I got mine. Check them out. It can work IMO for a short time until you get something bigger, but not to long.

 

[Malawi Hawk]

A all male tank goes a little easier when you only have 1 male of each species. @ males of the same species causes war.

 

[gomezladdams]

none of the males sound too aggressive,its the red empress that is the terror of that tank.
I agree though,stepping up to the 75g makes it more possible.I dont like the bare tank idea,they have to have places to hide from each other