Wanting to start a community

[sick_lid]

Hey all, I'm wanting to start up an african community, and had a few questions.. definitely not new into fish keeping, just a ca/sa keeper..

I do about 80% w/c every week on my big tank, what am I looking to do on I'd say a 55 with that 'overstocked' african look? They will all start as juvies and more than likely move to a bigger tank if I like them.

Also, can I mix all the different kinds from different lakes? I want a variety but all the ones I'm interested in are from diff areas.. I know africans can do well with less room for eachother unlike ca/sa's, but I dont want a lot of fighting, just that zoo display look!

Thanks in advance for any help, kinda want to start a tank that doesn't have just a few monsters in such a big space.

 

[greenearthlawns]

Just do an all male tank and you should be able to mix a good variety!! just stay away from very agressive mbuna types and don't get more than one male of the same species or coloration...

 

[cichlidgirl]

I would try for either a all mbuna tank (research species, some are killers) or what i liked better is a mixed hap/peacock tank. There are many species of haps and peacocks commonly available . Peacocks tend to stay a bit smaller than the haps so you can do them in a 55 alot longer too. Right now i have a 55 gallon tank with 4 peacocks, 2 haps, and one mbuna. They fight a bit but nothing lethal and its colorful, blues, pink, OB's and the bright orange mbuna. I also have mixed successfully some semi aggressive haps (red empress) with my oscars and JD's and a single green terror. That tank has all young fish except the empress and oscars but they seem to get along well and the jd and green terror dont have a problem with my higher ph's from my well water. I would just be careful and try to go with peaceful or semi aggressive species only. avoid any highly aggressive species cause they can wipe out your tank with no notice in one night, learned that the hard way myself. Good luck.

 

[Bre]

I have all 3 lakes together and it has been working great. I made sure I went with less aggressive species of fish and they all look completely different. I have peacock pair, lithobate pair, for Malawi species. I have a couple calvus/comps for tangs, and I have P. Chromogynos, and P. “fires” from Victoria. My tank is busy but very mellow and all breed with their own mates.

 

[lateraldisposition]

overstocking it tank will cut down on agression besides look good of u want to mix with mbunas I wouldn't but if u did pick mild ones example yellow labs what kinda others we talkin here

 

[Ullopincrate]

You'll need the overstock with the mix. As stated above you don't want any pairs. Males. Also stick with the less aggressive ones but keep in mind that fish have personality and attitude that vary so some of it will be trial and error.