Malawi Cichlids anyone?

[Andrea82]

Are there members on here keeping Malawi cichlids? I'm looking to start a small group of mbunas in a couple of weeks
It's going to be a 180liter tank, 100x50x50 cm, and the residents will be (if all goes well) 1.3 L.caeruleus 'Yellow', 1.3 I.sprengerae and 1.3 P.socolofi. It's going to be a biotope, so decorations will be mainly stones and maybe some vallisneria, the bottom will be sand of course. Anyone else keeps these species? Or other ones from Malawi Lake?

 

[Andrea82]

So, I decided to go with a population recommendation from the Dutch Cichlids forum and got 5 P.socolofi, 4 L.caeruleus Yellow, and 4 I.sprengerae.
I love these guys already, very active fishes, always on the move exploring and grazing algae of the rocks.


There was a little fish in the bag with the caeruleus which I did not order, a stowaway little N.multifasciatus (snail shells cichlid).


He totally does not belong in a Malawi tank, so I put him up for adoption. I got him some shells and he's happy as pie! I do hope to find a home for him soon though, it's a species that primarily lives in large groups of 10 to 20 fishes, I don't think it's right to keep him all by himself. But I'm not intending to buy him some friends either.

Anyways, love my new housemates, very nice colors and new behaviors to learn

 

[rhysie]

they look super pretty!! excited to see their progress and how they get used to their new home will they get much bigger? your little stowaway is also super cute! i love the stripes :O

 

[moricollins]

Nice! I love cichlids ! Love the multi ! They were among my favourites from when I kept cichlids

 

[FrDoc]

Very nice assortment! I am quite partial to the yellow.

 

[Andrea82]

they look super pretty!! excited to see their progress and how they get used to their new home will they get much bigger? your little stowaway is also super cute! i love the stripes :O

The Mbuna get to 12/15 cm at most, so they have a little growing to do yet. The N.multifasciatus will get 6 cm tops. I've provided him with a couple of shells but he's taken a liking to a hole in one of the Grey rocks instead. Eating like a champ and is rapidly overcoming his shyness!

Nice! I love cichlids ! Love the multi ! They were among my favourites from when I kept cichlids

I've considered keeping them in a species tank, but I like some more deco than just sand and shells

Very nice assortment! I am quite partial to the yellow.

The yellows are cute, friendly, but no pushovers. One of the most celebrated beginner Malawi species and friendly to others.

The brown/red I.sprengerae are a bit shy, but defend their turf, lol. The blue P.socolofi are the tough guys in the tank, which I expected. They are not scared of anything besides the pecking order between themselves. I went to place a rock differently and a few decided I was either food or invader and decided to give me a couple of nips. Not painful, but their lips felt more like beaks than fish lips

I can watch them for hours...it's really interesting to have animals with group dynamics again, as opposed to my snakes/spiders/cat.
They're all settling in like they've been here for weeks and almost everyone comes to the front pane of the tank when I am near. I know it's just for food but still... I like them more because of it.

 

[FrDoc]

I appreciate what you wrote about the group dynamic. I set up a little 38 liter tank with six Tiger Barbs (Puntrigrus tetrazona) and they are an absolute hoot to watch. The absolute antithesis of observing spiders.

 

[Andrea82]

I appreciate what you wrote about the group dynamic. I set up a little 38 liter tank with six Tiger Barbs (Puntrigrus tetrazona) and they are an absolute hoot to watch. The absolute antithesis of observing spiders.

Very gorgeous fish for sure! Hard to combine with other fish, especially with long fins, which they tend to nibble on. The bigger the school, the more peaceful they are towards other species. I think you may have to upsize them somewhat as they grow bigger.

We call them 'Sumatrans' supposedly because of their original habitat.

 

[Alien_Regalis]

I love mbuna but I have a special spot in my heart for stuff from lake Tanganyika. (Frontosa's) <---- I got my first one in 2000 and have loved them since.

 

[MrTwister]

Nice mbuna. I’m more partial to the huge eat your face South American species, but a mbuna tank is always pretty.

 

[Alien_Regalis]

Nice mbuna. I’m more partial to the huge eat your face South American species, but a mbuna tank is always pretty.

I've never been quite as into them to be honest. They move too much substrate and just cause trouble haha

 

[Andrea82]

Nice mbuna. I’m more partial to the huge eat your face South American species, but a mbuna tank is always pretty.

I don't have the space for the large species, but there are sure gorgeous South American species!

Little update;
The N.multifasciatus is still living here, despite me putting up ads for him. I'm really liking him though... Maybe I will give him some company after all
Little trooper isn't afraid to show the P.socolofi that those are HIS shells and they need to back away.