Ok,
Here is the deal. I'm helping a good friend of mine set up his tank and I thought that a mixed malawi tank would be rewarding for a new hobbyist - I prefer central and south american cichlids, but that won't fly...
Anyway, he wants each of his kids to pick a group of fish (3 kids). I thought they could each pick a mbuna species. I would then fill the tank with haps or maybe even a peacock or two.
My hands are tied a bit with the kids picking mbunas - they might not go for the easier mixes, so I'll need advice on groups of mbunas that will work and of course the mixes that won't work. I am aware of the more common mixes like demasoni/lab - my personal fav. Nothing too rare - we'll be going to BA's (labs, demasoni, afras, zebras, socofoli....)
Next which haps will likely work. I know that they are predatory and there is always a risk of mbuna being eaten. I'll try to get larger mbuna and smaller haps at the beginning - besides mbuna breed so easily it will probably just be a pop regulator. I'd like to go with a school of dolphins as I've always like them. Other suggestions are welcome.
I also thought about a small school of cats - mulitis or petricolas.
Thanks
PS: Plse assume that I'm an experienced hobbyist.
Here is the deal. I'm helping a good friend of mine set up his tank and I thought that a mixed malawi tank would be rewarding for a new hobbyist - I prefer central and south american cichlids, but that won't fly...
Anyway, he wants each of his kids to pick a group of fish (3 kids). I thought they could each pick a mbuna species. I would then fill the tank with haps or maybe even a peacock or two.
My hands are tied a bit with the kids picking mbunas - they might not go for the easier mixes, so I'll need advice on groups of mbunas that will work and of course the mixes that won't work. I am aware of the more common mixes like demasoni/lab - my personal fav. Nothing too rare - we'll be going to BA's (labs, demasoni, afras, zebras, socofoli....)
Next which haps will likely work. I know that they are predatory and there is always a risk of mbuna being eaten. I'll try to get larger mbuna and smaller haps at the beginning - besides mbuna breed so easily it will probably just be a pop regulator. I'd like to go with a school of dolphins as I've always like them. Other suggestions are welcome.
I also thought about a small school of cats - mulitis or petricolas.
Thanks
PS: Plse assume that I'm an experienced hobbyist.