Setting up an african tank

[Leigh reed]

Hi all this is my first post on this forum after a mate informed me of your site! I have decided to jump from Americans to Africans and i have been cycling my tank for around 3 weeks and all seems spot on so I’m looking at getting my lake Malawi cichlids and wanted to know what everyone thought would be a good amount to have in a 4'X1.5'X1.5' tank. I was looking at getting 5 of each of the following totalling 20 cichlids in total. I can mix and match all of them and get a mix of numbers but I’m at a bit of a loss that’s why I went 5 of each of the favourites!

1: Cobalt Blues
2: Afra Cobwe
3: ELECTRIC YELLOW
4: Red Zebras

Let me know what you think and if there is any other suggestions that would be awesome...

I also like the

1:Yellow-Tail Acei
2: Fuelliborni
3: Brichardi

 

[CLDarnell]

Hello and welcome to MFK!

I am not familiar with a couple of the species you are looking at, so I'll let the experts discuss your stock list with you. But, I would like to point out that with 5 each, especially if you purchase juveniles, you are likely to get at least two males out of your selection. You then will most likely see a lot of aggression in your tank.

Either way, you will want to make sure you have a lot of structures, plants and caves in your tank...there will be a lot of territorial aggression with the Africans.

On a good note (and just a personal observation of mine), it seems that Africans, especially Malawis, are slightly less aggressive the CA Cichlids. Again, that not specific to all species, but maybe in general.

Good luck to you...see you around the forum!

 

[Leigh reed]

Hello and welcome to MFK!

I am not familiar with a couple of the species you are looking at, so I'll let the experts discuss your stock list with you. But, I would like to point out that with 5 each, especially if you purchase juveniles, you are likely to get at least two males out of your selection. You then will most likely see a lot of aggression in your tank.

Either way, you will want to make sure you have a lot of structures, plants and caves in your tank...there will be a lot of territorial aggression with the Africans.

On a good note (and just a personal observation of mine), it seems that Africans, especially Malawis, are slightly less aggressive the CA Cichlids. Again, that not specific to all species, but maybe in general.

Good luck to you...see you around the forum!

Thanks for the quick reply!!! Is it possible to keep only males or do they still fight over territory and imaginary females?
I know it would be a no go with Americans, but i was under the belief that Africans are more of a communal fish!

Keep in mind I have always kept Americans!!!!

 

[Leigh reed]

There are plants in the tank now but i haven't got the pic's yet. Sorry for the quality.

 

[tommy_zito]

to MFK!

check out www.bluegrassaquatics.com they have a huge slection of lake malawi fish at a good price.

 

[Leigh reed]

Well I ended up getting 5 of each of these guys for $80 buck in total which i thought was a decent price. They are all still around the 4 cm mark but very active and healthy. They parents were great colors and again very active and healthy so i am very happy and have lost many hours already just watching them explore.

1: Afra Cobwe
2: ELECTRIC YELLOW
3: Red Zebras
4:Yellow-Tail Acei