Need help getting started with Africans

[Owlbehere]

So as I posted previously I'm setting up my 46g bow front again.
I think I'm going with africans because my PH is around 8 and it will be easier to keep up with.

I need to know where and how to get started. Is there anything I should read to learn about them. I know nothing about african cichlids. Compatibility, stocking... decor... all that fun stuff

[Northernguy]

They do like to have a ton of caves to hide out in!
I think if you are having plants go with silk,they live longer! lol
Which are you interested in,Malawi or Tanganyikas?

[Owlbehere]

I think Malawi... Thats the one with the Yellow labs right? lol I really know nothing.

[Jon-C]

Yea but you should look around there are so many bueatiful fish to choose from yellow labs electric blues aceis manganos just to name few or you could go with peacocks there are alot to choose from and they are so bright and vivid it's a hard choice I am actually IN the middle of selecting Malawis aswell and can't decide good luck

[kaybee]

If you're going with Lake Malawi Mbuna's:

Compatibility: Due to their aggressive nature, other mbuna's are the best bet. In that regard mbuna's are nearly compatible with every other mbuna. Some species are more aggressive than others and some focus their aggression predominantly on their own kind. Gender ratio's of several females per male per species is highly recommended to counter-balance aggression.

For scavengers, synodontis catfish are a good choice, though scavengers aren't required since mbuna's tend not to leave a lot of left overs.

Stocking: These fish do best in group due to both their social nature and groups counter-balance aggression. Generally a 48" tank (55gal) is considered the minimum to stock these fish, though a 46gal may be close enough and work if the hyperdominant species are avoided. Identify the species you want then stock in phases starting with the least aggressive species so that the most aggressive species are added last. If you intend to breed them, I recommend avoiding stocking hybrids.

Decor: "Mbuna" means "rock fish" in one of the native languages of Malawi. That said, lots of rocks work well, though these fish will utilize any decoration that can provide cover or shelter. Rocks are used for dominants to establish territories (which helps prevent them from claiming the entire tank) as well as those at the bottom of the tank's pecking order to hide out. Sand as a substrate works well with them, though they'll likely manipulate any substrate that's in the tank (they prone to digging).

[Not NEW Not OLD]

Well i was gonna reply but kaybee has said it all... only thing i can recommend is put the eggcrate on the bottom of the tank before your gravel then pile your large rocks and caves,,, the mbuna are busy diggers and ive seen them move very large rocks due to their digging. Put plentypf rocks and caves. search my name in the diy section and you can see some of my cave work.

[Owlbehere]

Thanks for the replys. I'm looking up more about the malawi mbunas. Whats an eggcrate?

[Owlbehere]

Wow this is looking tough. With all the researching its going to be hard to find the ones that get along (my only real fish store is Petsmart or Petland) I don't know if I can find the Species names. Like at petsmart they are labeled assorted african cichlids.

And I worry again about the tank size. I am going to keep looking at the africans but I may also look into some other species that I am more familiar with.

[sailor]

Here is a great link that might help you out with some stocking suggestions etc.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Lady Hobbs]

Egg crate is that hard plastic cover that goes over lights. A sheet can be purchased in Home Depot or Lowes. Good if having gravel in the bottom but not so good if using sand.

[Drip Loop]

In my opinion, 46g is too small to really have fun with Africans. Also, one above poster mentioned peacocks. Peacocks are not mbuna nor are they Malawi. Most are tanganyika and prefer water much harder than fish from lake Malawi. A ph of 8.8 is better for them.

Yellow labs aren't the most aggressive of cichlids, I just think 46g may stunt their growth over time.

[hari-goshi]

Peacocks are not mbuna nor are they Malawi. Most are tanganyika and prefer water much harder than fish from lake Malawi.


Peacocks are from lake Malawi , although there are quite a few man made species that arent found in the lake.



To the TS/OP:
With a tank under 4 feet I would go with some dwarf mbuna like I. sprengerae(rusty cichlids) or one of the C. afra types. They stay smaller and both types listed tend to be on the lower end of the aggression scale , especially the Rusties. L. caeruleus(yellow labs) and Ps. sp. Acei(yellow tail acei) are also good beginner mbuna but they also grow larger and would require more maintanence. If you stay with some of the less aggressive dwarf type mbuna(max size 3 1/2 in.) you will not be nearly as limited in the stocking options.

[Red]

Peacocks are from lake Malawi , although there are quite a few man made species that arent found in the lake.



To the TS/OP:
With a tank under 4 feet I would go with some dwarf mbuna like I. sprengerae(rusty cichlids) or one of the C. afra types. They stay smaller and both types listed tend to be on the lower end of the aggression scale , especially the Rusties. L. caeruleus(yellow labs) and Ps. sp. Acei(yellow tail acei) are also good beginner mbuna but they also grow larger and would require more maintanence. If you stay with some of the less aggressive dwarf type mbuna(max size 3 1/2 in.) you will not be nearly as limited in the stocking options.


I agree, peacocks are to big for a 46gal. White labs are also a good choice.

[Owlbehere]

I dunno... Africans are hard to find in my area. I too feel my tank is too small to really have fun with them. I see you need to have groups of them and at 4 inches thats a lot of fish with not much room.
I think it would be better for a 55 or 75 gallon tank :\ I'm not discouraged I just think this is not the best route to go. Man I love this place... Its soooo helpful :D

[Lab_Rat]

I dunno... Africans are hard to find in my area. I too feel my tank is too small to really have fun with them. I see you need to have groups of them and at 4 inches thats a lot of fish with not much room.
I think it would be better for a 55 or 75 gallon tank :\ I'm not discouraged I just think this is not the best route to go. Man I love this place... Its soooo helpful :D

Have you looked into Australian rainbowfish? They like hard water and you could have a nice school in a tank that size.

[Owlbehere]

I have! I was actually thinking of them... Once again I am limited to Petland, Petco, and Petsmart :\ I don't have a great selection.

[190MPH]

Have you considered ordering online, especially for Africans? I know the shipping can be a few $ more, but IMO, the stock is cared for much better by someone who is a fishkeeper. Not a fishkeeper, dog keeper, cat keeper, etc etc., like you may find at the big box stores.