best cichlid for my tank?

[theexoticbichir]

I'm looking for a carnivorous cichlid for my tank.(like one that would eat feeders)

I do not want a large cichlid! I only want 6in or less.

I also want to make sure they are compatible with my fish(mbuna's).

Any suggestions?

thanks in advance.

 

[Mokujin22]

I'll occasionally feed extra or hybrid fry to my Malawi haps, never feeders though. Too concerned about diseases. For the most part, haps are not going to be the feeding circus that many new cichlids tend to be.

The only common predatory fish that stays that small is Scianochromis fryeri/Blue ahli. In the wild, they make a living out of mimicking the algae grazing patterns of mbuna and picking off fry.

The genus Stigmatochromis has some cool predators, but they get closer to 8".

 

[mike dunagan]

agreed

 

[Kaianuanu]

Mbuna destroy feeders w/ extreme speed, vigor, and aggression. But, its not good for them, so you shouldn't put a fish like you describe in there. If you put feeders in there, the mbuna will get them first. So no feeders in mbuna tanks. Although i admit i used to do it occasionally

 

[theexoticbichir]

thanks for the info everybody. I decided to get a Blue ahli, IT's getting along great with everybody! I also decided to feed it my convict fry ( he/she is in a seperate tank) once every 2 months so my new cichlid can get the nutrition it needs.

 

[mike dunagan]

A well around pellet will give it all the nutrition it needs without feeders.