Mbuna/Hap/Peacock Compatibility

[labenator65000]

I'd like to hear folks thoughts on the general compatibility of the following. Assume that there is sufficient tank capacity and water parameters are acceptable.

- Peaceful Mbuna with Haps
- Peaceful Mbuna with Peacocks
- Haps with Peacocks

I understand that there is a wide variety of temperaments within each group. What I am looking for is blanket negative answers like "Mbuna should never go with Peacocks", "Mbuna should never go with Haps", "Haps should never go with Peacocks" etc. So really I am wanting to see answers in the negative. I don't expect any "this can go with that" answers.

I guess these questions could be asked inversely like this:

- Should a tank with Mbuna ONLY contain Mbuna? *
- Should a tank with Peacocks ONLY contain Peacocks? *
- Should a tank with Haps ONLY contain HAPS? *

*Specific to Cichlids. I know that certain Synodontis can go with certain Cichlids, etc.


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[wrslrcichlid]

Obviously there can be a range of answers here because specific species (as well as specific fish) have different temperaments.

Generally it is not recommended to mix mbuna with peacocks. The mbuna are too boisterous and the difference in behavior can be overwhelming for the peacocks. The peacocks may survive, but usually don't color up as well - which is one of the main reasons for a peacock tank in the first place.

However, mbuna can be kept with haps (obviously you should choose species from both groups wisely). I have a 125g mbuna and hap tank that is doing very well - and the haps were introduced way after the mbuna, therefore they didn't grow up together. This is pretty commonly done, but you will need a larger tank for the haps. If you do a mbuna and hap tank it is best to make sure you have some open space for the haps. Mbuna like rocks, so they need lots of rockwork, but the haps need open water for swimming freely as well.

You can also do haps with peacocks. This is commonly done as well.

And yes, many synodontis can be mixed into Lake Malawi tanks. I have two Synodontis eupterus in mine that are basically left alone and are doing great. In the rare case where an mbuna messes with the syno, the syno readily fights back and chases the mbuna off.