Newbie to Africans...

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BlueKiller82

BlueKiller82

Candiru
MFK Member
Jan 21, 2008
458
13
48
Massachusetts
Hello,
I have a 40 gallon breeder that I am looking to inhabit with Malawi cichlids. I have had SA and CA cichlids forever and want to give africans a try. I have been doing lots of research on some of the smaller africans i can keep. I was hoping to get some opinions on what I could stock in this size tank.

I had a few ideas but was looking for more. Looking for an array of colors and easy to care for since I am new with Africans.

Idea #1
6 Yellow Labs
Trio of Ngara Flametail

Idea #2
5-6 Pseudotropheus demasoni
3-4 Yellow Labs

Is it also possible to just have a group of Male Peacocks?

Looking for more options and opinions.
Have been considering the following.
Pseudotropheus saulosi
Pseudotropheus demasoni
Labidochromis caeruleus
Iodotropheus sprengerae
Cynotilapia
Copadichromis
Aulonocara


Thanks!!!
 
Stocking #1. This could work. Generally you don't want mix mbuna with peacocks but yellow labs are less aggressive. Just know that female peacocks are really drab.
The problem with stocking #2 is demasoni are very aggressive towards one another. If they are not stocked in high numbers they start killing each other. The magic number seems to be 12.
A male peacock tank is always a very nice set up
Pseudotropheus saulosi make a GREAT species tank and would work well for the tank size you have.
Labidochromis caeruleus and Iodotropheus sprengerae are less aggressive mabun and two great beginner species.
Cynotilapia are beautiful species with a lot of options. Most of them have very drab females. I personally like sp"white top hara"


I don't know much about Copadichromis or Aulonocara
 
If your not intending to breed, and you want nice color, get a variety of male peacocks. You can prob keep about 6-8 in a 40gal.
 
I have a 72 bow I just set up with all male peacocks.

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Nice Setup!! Love the colors on those guys.

I ended up getting some Zebras(platinum and Red) and a Trio of Lwanda peacocks. Hopefully they work out!!

I have heard of overstocking being done with Africans for agression, as long as do weekly water changes and good filtration. How many fish would be considered overstocked vs way too many fish? I currently have an AC110 and a AC70 running on my tank. Just curious as to what would be too many fish. Saw some Cobolt Zebras i kinda would like to add.
 
Dragons Blood Peacock
Taiwan Reef
Strawberry Peacock
Albino Peacocks are nice too
 
you can also go all male mbuna, the males tend to show more color than the females
Click to expand...

A male mbuna tank is tricky. The nice thing about mbuna is MANY species have equally colorful females.
 
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