What can I put?

[redwetar666]

Ive had a lot of experience with african cichlids, but lately ive been wanting to put some different types of fish with them, I have about 50 african cichlids in a 120 but most are babies about 1-1.5" and some are up to 5 inches, but I was wondering, does anybody have any ideas of what else I could put in there with them. (ex.) bala sharks ect., and what would be the best type of eel to put in there with them. I know I might lose a few but im wiling to do that, not to sound cruel but thats the cycle of life. Any ideas on what I could put in there?

Thanks

 

[kingyella]

synodontis cats. i wouldn't put any other tropical fish in with them. No experience with eels, so i couldn't tell you about that.

 

[rrcoolj]

The only fish that comes from the same area you could use are synodontis catfish. And even most of those aren't from Malawi but Tanganyika. They make great scavengers and will eat the food that drops toward the bottom. I've had my Synodontis decorus for a year now and I love him. They know how to "fight back" too. Anytime one of my mbuna tries to mess with my syno, he extends those spines on his finst and violently shakes. The other fish usually gets the picture and leaves him alone

 

[jeepsnfish125]

I have kept clown loaches with malawi and mbuna for years. the loaches do their own thing and the cichlids leave them alone, sometime the loaches will even take food from cichlids at feeding time. just remember clown loaches do better in groups, 2+

 

[rrcoolj]

I've heard good things from clown loaches in africn cichlid tanks. They are very durable and will adapt to higher ph. Just take it slow acclimating them. The main problem I have with clown loaches is not only do they grow ver large(12inches or more) but they need to be able to school. In an 120 it might not work considering the amoutn of africans you could defiatly try it though I would think.

 

[rrcoolj]

there is scientific proof, and il post it when i find it mate, that fish never fully aclimatise to higher or lolwer ph, due to their genetic make up.

clown loaches dont belong in a malawi set up, they may survive for a while, but eventually they will die, although it can take upto a year, but that is a year of suffering for the fish unneccessarily

Well that's why I said I've heard good things. Personally, I don't like to keeping fish from differnt parts of the world in the same aquarium just isn't natural thats why I reccomended synodontis. Alot of fish in the trade often and will adapt to a lower PH. Like mbunas for example. I can't tell you how many times I've seen africans and south/central american cichlids kept in the same tank with a neutral PH. Again personally I would never do something like that but It can work very well if done right. Clown loaches are the same way. Currently my angelfish, corys, tetras, etc are at a PH of 7.4 which is very high but they thrive and these conditions and have adpated to such a high PH. Now im currently trying to drop it MUCH lower but It can work.

Again I've heard they are good together and even saw an article on http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/clown_loach.php saying so. I personally would never do it but I don't doubt that it couldn't work.

 

[mike dunagan]

ph 7.4 is not high is pretty close to neutral.

 

[Marius]

Ive had a lot of experience with african cichlids, but lately ive been wanting to put some different types of fish with them, I have about 50 african cichlids in a 120 but most are babies about 1-1.5" and some are up to 5 inches, but I was wondering, does anybody have any ideas of what else I could put in there with them. (ex.) bala sharks ect., and what would be the best type of eel to put in there with them. I know I might lose a few but im wiling to do that, not to sound cruel but thats the cycle of life. Any ideas on what I could put in there?

Thanks

First: I hate it when people mix biotopes.
Second: Please mention what are the "50 african cichlids in the 120gal"
Third: 50 fish in a 120 gal is pretty much maxed up ...


And 2+ is not really a good reference for a group. Loaches and other schooling fishes like it in groups, 12 or more to be more specific.