American Cichlids mixed with African ?

[Natural_Born_Killer]

HI...

Just wondering what would happen if I mixed Central/South American Cichlids with ones from Africa (like Lake Malawi types).

So far I have two Jack Dempseys in my tank (and currently looking for a male) and one African (type I'm not entirely sure) who doesn't seem aggressive.

Tank is roughly 95g. Its my new one and I am thinking what to actually put into it...

Tips, advice and or suggestions are welcome...

 

[cich-boi]

As far as i can say, SA/CA cichlids are much aggressive then there african counter parts, but IMO if there is enough space in the tank and the africans are bigger than the SA/CA cichlids it COULD work.

like im planning to put in a C.Moori (blue dolphin) in my upcoming 240G with some smaller texas, firemouths and a sev.

 

[Camphilophus]

general rule of cichlids is not to mix africans with americans. General rule of africans is not to mix different lakes. That's not to say it wouldn't work. It's just usually not a good idea.

 

[peathenster]

water has a lot to do with it.....so Kribs are probably ok but lake africans aren't a good idea..

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

depends what kind of malawi cichlids are involved....if it is captive bred haps, I see no significant problem mixing them, but mbunas I would not mix due to their different dietary requirements and propensity to get bloat

 

[oscarcrazy]

Just match aggression levels. Water not a huge deal anymore with common varieties as they are probably been kept and bred in about the same conditions for several generations. Lots of people don't like it, but it has worked for many. I think it looks goofy, but my wife has her tank decorated like ancient Greece, so who am I to judge.

 

[hairdog]

I have a red top zebra and a kenyi with my south americans. red top and female convict were going at last night. until male con broke it up the red top was winning. it is a general not mix but it does work. they usual get along my tank is a 150

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

you got to watch for bloat in these mbuna when feeding them the high protein diet preferred by most New World cichlids

 

[BC in SK]

you got to watch for bloat in these mbuna when feeding them the high protein diet preferred by most New World cichlids

My understanding is that bloat is usually related to levels of stress. Very questionable wether mbuna get bloat due to diet rather then primarily due to excessive aggression.

 

[peathenster]

Just match aggression levels. Water not a huge deal anymore with common varieties as they are probably been kept and bred in about the same conditions for several generations. Lots of people don't like it, but it has worked for many. I think it looks goofy, but my wife has her tank decorated like ancient Greece, so who am I to judge.

Well at least she's into it. I'm treated like a criminal every time I bring fish home