Thoughts on stocking?

[SmokyCartoon]

Central American cichlids would also work?

 

[Joshuakahan]

Although I do think an African cichlids tank would be nice I honestly really like the pictus and angelfish and I’m not sure if the angels or pictus could live in a lake Malawi tank

Nope, they definitely could not. There’s other South American fish that would do better in harder water and There’s synodontis that you could do instead of pictus. You could also try the fish you like and see how they do. Check out wetspot and Aqua-imports, they tell you the parameters of each fish

 

[Joshuakahan]

Central American cichlids would also work?

Depends on which ones but yes. I’ve heard Honduran Red Points like harder water. I also had luck with rainbow cichlids. Rainbow fish also like hard water

 

[SmokyCartoon]

Nope, they definitely could not. There’s other South American fish that would do better in harder water and There’s synodontis that you could do instead of pictus. You could also try the fish you like and see how they do. Check out wetspot and Aqua-imports, they tell you the parameters of each fish

Any types of synodontis you would recommend?

 

[Joshuakahan]

Any types of synodontis you would recommend?

I think a group of S Petricola would be perfect

 

[SmokyCartoon]

I think a group of S Petricola would be perfect

Can African cichlids tanks have plants? Never seen one with any

 

[Joshuakahan]

Can African cichlids tanks have plants? Never seen one with any

Maybe haps, I doubt it with mbuna

 

[duanes]

Above is Synodontus petricola.
I have kept a number of African cichlids with plants, you just have to do research to select the non-tasty ones.
Anubias and Java Fern are a couple that hold up well, Anubias below.
The African above Lepidiolamprologus did we'll with plants, of course you can see by its teeth, its not a vegetarian

 

[SmokyCartoon]

View attachment 1514256View attachment 1514257
Above is Synodontus petricola.
I have kept a number of African cichlids with plants, you just have to do research to select the non-tasty ones.
Anubias and Java Fern are a couple that hold up well, Anubias below.
View attachment 1514262The African above Lepidiolamprologus did we'll with plants, of course you can see by its teeth, its not a vegetarianView attachment 1514258

Not related to synodontis but can angelfish and pictus survive in 8.8 ph? I’m thinking of investing in a RODI system

 

[duanes]

Some of the typical aquarium strain angels and line bred that have been bred for over 100 years in high pH water can.
Any of the wild caught Peruvian/Altums might have a difficult go of it/