Mixing Africans

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MidWestMike

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 13, 2013
154
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Lancaster, Ohio
I recently got into cichlid keeping. I have a 90 gallon that I set up with a fluval fx5, sand just for African cichlids, and about 60-70 pounds of Texas holey rock. I did plenty of research into the rift lakes, replicating there habitats, and providing optimal conditions for them to thrive. Currently I keep nothing but mbunas, but where I'm from the selection of fish is so small that I wait for weeks to find just that right fish, passing up beautiful Africans of different species. So what I'm asking is can I mix in different types, what risks would I be running if I do.


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Mixing Mbuna (depending on the species) with peas and haps can be done in a large tank, but I don't think you'll have much luck in a 4' footer. I have a 135 Mbuna community that Ive had no luck keeping haps alive in. Mbuna are just too stressful for peas and haps in close space.....and Mbuna can and will reach 6-7" in an aquarium....
 
While I agree in general, I will say that I've seen it done. What I found with the peacocks is that you can keep them with the mbuna, but they'll be stressed and hang out behind/in the rocks the whole time. So what's the point of having them if you're only stressing them and you don't see them.

Another aside - dragon blood peacocks don't seem to go by that rule. I have two varieties in my tank, and they're thriving. Tough little fish, and beautiful. Maybe that's the answer.


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i've been keeping an afra and yellow lab in my 55 with peacocks/haps for about a year and a half. haven't had a problem to date of any serious bullying (knock on wood). the lab does his own thing and doesnt bother anyone. the afra does defend his cave but only chases for a little then hurries back to defend his claim lol. and my peacocks dont hide at all which i love. depends on the fish's temperment. i guess i got lucky with my two mbuna living with my peacocks/hap
 
I think fewer mbuna with more haps and peas could work but in a larger mbuna colony (20 or more) they tend to just get nasty. I'm at about 40-45 mbuna in my setup and they are just brutal to each other.... But tough enough to not stress each other out.


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