Electric Yellow Cichlids

**Fishguy2727** · 01-17-2007, 09:29 PM

I'm not arguing and I don't want to. I am just stating what I said more clearly if it came across wrong. Both of us have the right to share our experience. And PMing does not really help. Many could benefit from those excerpts he used, as well as my clarification and my experience.

**Drumachine09** · 01-18-2007, 12:46 AM

How would a live plant like a java fern go in a mbuna tank? And would an air stone be a positive or a negative?

**Fishguy2727** · 01-18-2007, 04:21 AM

Air stone doesn't matter, should not need it though. Plants usually end up as food, but if I remember right it tastes bad (not first hand experience, that's what the book said) so it may have a chance. Doesn't go with the biotope at all though, but if you want to try it let us know how it goes.

**KneeKickLou** · 01-18-2007, 10:10 PM

All this talk about Yellow Labs got my interested. I am currently looking to restock a 20 gallon high that I have would this be too small for say a group of 3 yellow labs? Or would I have to go up to 30 for them?

**Fishguy2727** · 01-18-2007, 11:51 PM

You would really have to do it right (tons of filtration, big frequent water changes, one male and two females, lots of hiding places) and even then at best it would be bare minimum, I wouldn't suggest it.

**Cichlid_Man** · 01-19-2007, 11:00 AM

Reptileguy is right. Bigger tank.
I kept some cichlids in a 30 gallon with success but you are really not giving those guys half a chance at what they could be. 55 gallon minimun I would say?
55 gallon setups run relatively cheap in walmart, then you can always upgrade the filter system and other things as you go along.
That's how I got started years ago for about $120.00 including everything you need.
Of course, you probably should get a good visitherm stealth heater and NEVER use what walmart gives you for heating.

Good luck.

One last thing for all concerned.

I didn't want to make it sound that ALL Yellow Labs are docile, or that it is simple to sex them.
For the most part, Yellow Labs are a quiet fish, but that doesn't mean they all are.
Keep in mind Lake Malawi. It is huge. They need open space. They also deal with other Mbuna and Utakas in the lake and sometimes have to defend themselves. They CAN fight!
All Cichlids in general as a rule can be aggressive, even the most prettiest of the Angel Fish!
As far as sexing the Lab?
My finding is that when you buy them and they have a lot of black markings, they USUALLY are male, but they can surprise us :-)

**KneeKickLou** · 01-19-2007, 12:13 PM

Thanks guys I'll def wait on the cichlids for now till I can get a full tank of them. I think I might go with a Tiger Barb tank that would look pretty cool I think. Any suggestion on the # I was thinkin 6 or 7 1inch 1gallon right these would be the only fish in there does that sound about right?

**f1oored** · 01-20-2007, 08:39 AM

Note on lab agression.

One of my yellow labs is holding now and I think I'm going to have to pull her out of the tank because she seems very stressed. My dominant male yellow lab will not leave her alone. Just thought I would share my current experiences.