[doncherry0]

Hi, I'm thinking about stocking my first Malawian Tank and was curious as to the suitability the species and how many of each I could have.
My plan was to have a group of Yellow Labs, a group of Melanochromis johanii, some Otopharynx lithobates and a few peacocks.
The tank I am getting is drilled, so a sump is an option.
So my question is, can these species survive together, and how many of each could I have. My preference is to have larger groups of the mbuna, and just a few of the haps and peacocks.

 

[doncherry0]

Instead of the 90 I am getting a 110. Would these speciaes still be suitable? I'm also thinking about C Afra, not sure which variant. And would Demasoni work in the tank or are they too similar to the johanii

 

[doncherry0]

To further break things down this is what I'm planning
20 demasoni
8 C afra Jalo reef
10 yellow labs
5 otopharynx lithobates
5 Aulonocara "chismulu"
The tank will be 110 gallons with a 65 gallon sump. Tahitian moon sand with basalt rocks

 

[doncherry0]

Anybody?

 

[Gibbs]

Being it your first tank i would keep the stock list a little simpler then you have it.
By saying i mean having it as an all Mbuna tank or an all Hap/Peacock tank instead of mixing it up like you intend on doing. Generally Peacocks (Aulonocara) and Mbuna don't mix well. The mbuna have much more furocious appetite's and get to the food first and most mbuna will hassle the peacocks which will stress the peacocks out.

Demasoni and yellow labs mix well, how ever Demasoni and Cyno's don't usually because they are quite similar looking

 

[doncherry0]

Being it your first tank i would keep the stock list a little simpler then you have it.
By saying i mean having it as an all Mbuna tank or an all Hap/Peacock tank instead of mixing it up like you intend on doing. Generally Peacocks (Aulonocara) and Mbuna don't mix well. The mbuna have much more furocious appetite's and get to the food first and most mbuna will hassle the peacocks which will stress the peacocks out.

Demasoni and yellow labs mix well, how ever Demasoni and Cyno's don't usually because they are quite similar looking

I'll dump the peacocks. Can I still keep the O. lithobates? Is there a Hap that may work better?Would P. acei be an acceptable substitute for the afra? If not can you suggest something that would be?
Although a yellow lab and demasoni tank would look nice, I'd like to add something else to the mix, and am hoping to be able to.

 

[Gibbs]

Possibly but it's not recommended and i haven't ever notice one mixed in with mbuna.

Maybe you should consider keeping a male Hap tank, that way you can have them without a doubt. Obviously you can keep peacocks and quite a number of other fish. Including a few yellow labs and even 4 or 5 Acei will fit in with Haps and peacocks due to there mild manner.

To answer your question yes Acei will be fine in with them fish, it is recommended to keep about 5 of them. Other fish may be, Maingano, Met. Callianos, Auratus

Most of them fish need a M/F ratio of 1-4

 

[GoofBoy]

I'll dump the peacocks. Can I still keep the O. lithobates? Is there a Hap that may work better?Would P. acei be an acceptable substitute for the afra? If not can you suggest something that would be?
Although a yellow lab and demasoni tank would look nice, I'd like to add something else to the mix, and am hoping to be able to.

First tank - how about juvi groups of...

Yellow labs
P. Acei
O. lithobates
then pick
Pseudotropheus sp. "Blue Dolphin" or Cyr. Moorii (Monomorphic hap!!!) to contrast the labs and add your blue.

Drop the Demasoni aggression and still get a nice contrast.

For me the hap and mbuna experience has been very different, mbuna grow quicker, color up earlier (or from day one) reach full size sooner, a bit more rambunctious - you kind of know what you are getting a lot quicker.

Haps, age like a fine wine which can be more rewarding - or boring, depends on you. Juvi male hap to full grown male in breeding color - wow, HUGE difference that you won't quite experience having mbuna alone. (At least for the fish I have kept.)

If you can do it in you first tank - think about trying a couple juvi groups of each and see what you like. After a year you may really like the mbuna better, but after the second year you very well may change your mind.

Good luck.

 

[doncherry0]

I'll dump the peacocks. Can I still keep the O. lithobates? Is there a Hap that may work better?Would P. acei be an acceptable substitute for the afra? If not can you suggest something that would be?
Although a yellow lab and demasoni tank would look nice, I'd like to add something else to the mix, and am hoping to be able to.

First tank - how about juvi groups of...

Yellow labs
P. Acei
O. lithobates
then pick
Pseudotropheus sp. "Blue Dolphin" or Cyr. Moorii (Monomorphic hap!!!) to contrast the labs and add your blue.

Drop the Demasoni aggression and still get a nice contrast.

For me the hap and mbuna experience has been very different, mbuna grow quicker, color up earlier (or from day one) reach full size sooner, a bit more rambunctious - you kind of know what you are getting a lot quicker.

Haps, age like a fine wine which can be more rewarding - or boring, depends on you. Juvi male hap to full grown male in breeding color - wow, HUGE difference that you won't quite experience having mbuna alone. (At least for the fish I have kept.)

If you can do it in you first tank - think about trying a couple juvi groups of each and see what you like. After a year you may really like the mbuna better, but after the second year you very well may change your mind.

Good luck.

I like that mix, the P. sp blue dolphin has the same blue and black that I liked in the demasoni.
What is the risk of hybridization between the two Pseudotropheus species?

 

[GoofBoy]

I like that mix, the P. sp blue dolphin has the same blue and black that I liked in the demasoni.
What is the risk of hybridization between the two Pseudotropheus species?

The Blue dolphin may or may not end up being/staying a Psuedo. species it may be Metriaclima instead. Doesn't really matter (the scientic labelling is kind of a moving target with a lot of africans) you would have 3 relatively calm monomorphic species that look very different - if you have enough females for the males you shouldn't have an issue, but be aware there is always a chance of hybrids. In this case I would guess as minimal a chance as you will find.