Question from a newbie

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J

JteSchertz

Candiru
MFK Member
Dec 3, 2010
670
1
48
Texas
Just had a question....I have been in the aquarium hobby for awhile but this is my first time with african cichlids. Currently I have 2 jewels, electric blue, electric yellow, red zebra (all small at about 1.5 - 2 in) in my 75 gal. Was thinking of adding a few more and happened upon a new store that carries a huge variety of fish. My question is, can you mix african cichlids from the different lakes (i.e Lake Malawi, Taganyika, & Victoria)?

I have not purchased any of the new fish and will not add any if it will harm the current fish that I have.

If it is not possible, it would give me a good reason for another tank!!:headbang2

Just joined this forum about a week ago and have really learned alot from reading everyones posts. Look forward to hearing your feedback.
 
pretty sure mixing is generally frowned upon but i have a compressicep (lake tang) in with my malawis in a 75 and its been working fine. I think it depends on the type of fish though because while a frontosa would definitely hold is own in a malawi tank some of the smaller shellies would be dinner..

I think lake victoria and malawi are pretty similar though so you could probably get away doing that, but honestly I wouldn't mix them I would get a second tank. Lake tangyanikan cichlid personality is way different than malawi, and I actually prefer them more now, I just don't have room for another set up haha
 
Thanks for the info....really appreciate it. I luckily still have room for another tank. I was showing my wife pics of the new fish and she had asked if I could mix them. I didnt think you could but just wanted to task.

The LFS I found has a ton of selection for good prices. When I was looking online I got apprehensive because of the shipping, and you don't really know what your getting. At the LFS I can actually see what I am getting.
 
Stewnew pretty much hit the nail on the head... it's all about personality. Typically, Malawian fish are much more boisterous than Tangs (as well as larger). I know a single peacock in my Tang community would screw up the dynamics big time.

I have however kept single male Vic or frontosa in with my Malawi male tanks in the past. You could also keep tropheus with mbuna so long as you feed the tank a veggie-heavy diet (never blood worms).
 
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