Lake Malawi Species • harem or all male tank?

[DSAquatics]

Hey all, I have researched a lot and can't seem to come to a consensus. I want a 55 gallon peacock tank and I don't know if it would be better to do an all male tank or pick 3 species and give them a harem of females(so 3 males total). Can anyone help? thanks

[DJRansome]

Either can work but all-male is challenging in any tank and 55G is on the smaller side for all male. On the other hand 55G is ideal for 3 species of mbuna in a harem and you can choose species with colorful females.

You would not want 3 species of peacocks in the same tank with mixed genders because they crossbreed.

You could to 1m:4f of each:
Aulonocara (peacock)
Hap
Yellow labs

The labs would all be colorful, the male hap and male peacock would be colorful. And 8 silver or brown females.