well i always kept my malawis with males and fmales.
i would say 1.3 or 4.2
with the 1.3 the male will chase the fmales all the time... thats why you atleas need 3 of em.. else he kill em.
4.2 maybe bette for you if you want coulor 2males are no go either one or both will die of fighting. 3males is ok but again if one die you back to 2males and again (death)
thats why i say atleast 4 males . then the beating is shared betwen 4 males. = more survival.
If you get them all at a young age you'll probably be fine..........nimbos, eyebitter, bichirs, cats. I started all of the above out in a 75gal 4ft tank...........now in a 135 6ft. tank all is still well. Never had livingstonii instead had polystigma - gave him away looked more like a swimming rock than a colorful fish.
