[Ravenatnm]

Hi,
I have been reading for weeks now trying to decide what the best mix will be for my upcoming reintroduction to keeping cichlids. I want fish that are fairly peacefull with each other and are colorful for my children. I also want them to not cross breed with each other so that I can resale the fry or let them grow in my own tank.
I have read the "cookie cutter" setups and have roughly based my selections off of that.

Equipment that may factor into it:
75 Gallon tank
Ehiem 2229 biological filter
c360 or FX5 for mechanical filtration

Species that I definetely want:
Labidochromis caeruleus http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1665
Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1460

Species that I like and would like to incorporate
Aulonocara (Rubescens) http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1311

Species that I am on the fence over
Iodotropheus sprengerae "Rusty" http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=707

Species that I love, but would conflict with one that will be in the mix
Pseudotropheus sp.red zebra "cherry red' http://bluegrasscichlids.com/cichli...s/pseudotropheus-sp.red-zebra-cherry-red.html

The dilema:
I want 6-8 Labs, 6 Acei, maybe 4 of the Aulonocara since the females are so boring looking. I think I am still looking for 1 more set of 4-6 to fill up the tank. I have Yellow with the labs, Blue with the Acei, and Red with the Aulonocara.

Any good recommendations?

 

[copasetic]

im a big fan of rusty's but i believe they will hybridize with your yellow labs. so 1 or the other.. i suggest for your other species a mbuna type like a cyno. afra

 

[Ravenatnm]

im a big fan of rusty's but i believe they will hybridize with your yellow labs. so 1 or the other.. i suggest for your other species a mbuna type like a cyno. afra

Thanks for the tip about cross breeding. I didn't know that completely different species would do that. I thought that if their names were completely different I was safe.

I found a cyno that might work that looks pretty nice.

Cynotilapia afra (Jalo Reef) http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1733
It says they are mildly agressive. What does that really mean? They only grow to 3 inches, but I wouldn't want a fish throwing rocks in their glass house.

 

[Joea]

Any two mouthbrooding Malawi cichlids can cross, despite their genus. However, I've not known I. sprengerae and L. caeruleus to readily cross, especially when a good number of females are available for both. The Pseudotropheus sp.red zebra "cherry red' is actually Metriaclima estherae and are prone to hybridization with L. caeruleus, so it would be best to avoid mixing these two. The Cy. afra would probably be fine as would the I. sprengerae.

 

[copasetic]

Any two mouthbrooding Malawi cichlids can cross, despite their genus. However, I've not known I. sprengerae and L. caeruleus to readily cross, especially when a good number of females are available for both. [/i].

well i heard on here they would easily cross breed so *** been avoiding it.. when i can sex my group of rusty's i will try for sure then!!

 

[Joea]

well i heard on here they would easily cross breed so I've been avoiding it.. when i can sex my group of rusty's i will try for sure then!!

Sexing either is difficult; it's best to vent them to be sure. It's usually best to add a large group of each to help your chances at getting multiple females.

 

[copasetic]

yes i got a batch of 15 the are still too young to be able to vent yet!

 

[Ravenatnm]

With this mix would I have any issues with the Peacock not being tough enough for the other Malawis? I really like their color, but don't want to get a fish that could cause social problems in the tank.

 

[Joea]

The mbuna you're considering are not going to be a problem with a Peacock.

 

[Ravenatnm]

I am ready to order now, my tank is all cycled and ready. I read more about the Afra's and they seem pretty mean. Every post I've read says they dominate the tank and can tear up labs and less aggressive fish with their teeth.

What would be another nice fish to mix with the labs and the Acei's? I want color and a peaceful tank.

Is it the consensus that rusties will hybridize with the labs?

Here are my options:
http://www.bluegrasscichlids.com

 

[Gibbs]

Ps. Saulosi. This fish is absolutely harmless not to say attractive. I have never been to inclined to mix them with yellow labs because i thought they would cross breed but apparently this isn't the case, it seems that people have had mixed experience there, but some highly respected people in this sight say it shouldn't be a problem so it may work

 

[why_spyder]

I read more about the Afra's and they seem pretty mean. Every post I've read says they dominate the tank and can tear up labs and less aggressive fish with their teeth.

Cynotilapia have a bad reputation as far as aggression goes. Unfortunately, I believe that to be very misleading. I've about four different species in one tank, along with several other mbuna and non-mbuna. Generally speaking, they aren't any more aggressive than other mbuna.

 

[Ravenatnm]

Thanks guys, I made the order. They will arive on Tuesday. I'm going to take my current stock to the store for credit Sunday.

8 Cyno - Cobue
8 Acei
8 Labs