Other tankmates for cichlids?

[Drip Loop]

I was wondering if there are any unusual tankmates I could consider for my 125g african tank. It currently houses various Malawi/Tang cichlids along with about 8 synodontis multipunctatus. I was looking at those blue crawfish which apparently are from that region but I do not know their aggression level. I guess I am just curious to know if there are any eels or just anything cool I have yet to think of.

[sailor]

I know a lot of people that keep "Tire Track" and "Fire" eels in with their africans. The blue crayfish and lobsters can be very aggresive and fish killers.

[kaybee]

I'd say your set up is probably good 'as is'.

From my experience if keeping 'unusual' (or even "uncompatible") tankmates in a malawi set up, it is MUCH EASIER accomplish if that creature is added to the tank before the cichilds or at the same time as the cichlids and when the cichlids are small juvies.

Adding anything new to the tank, especially a non-cichlid and particularly a single specimen, may be risky, especially if you've got full grown cichilds in the tank.

Another thing to consider is diet. The food must be compatible to mbuna's (because they'll likely eat the bulk of it, even if it's not intended for them).

I wasn't aware that blue crayfish originate from the rift lake region (I've always thought of them as cool water denizens), but there are malawi crabs, which are (or can be) blue-ish (though I think they get large enough to take down small mbuna's).

[Lady Hobbs]

I agree. Keep your cichlid tank a cichlid tank and avoid problems later.

[Drip Loop]

I could be wrong on the blue lobster thing. I saw one on a website that looked just like it. Your likely correct.