Saltwater & Reef

greyboysix · 01-30-2008, 09:49 PM

I'm starting a Cichlid tank, but only after finding out that the water in my area isn't really suitable (comfortable, really) for many of your more usual freshwater species. When I originally started, I really wanted to get a tank started so I could have some catfish. According to the books I have, I can't really find a catfish that would fit in with the water I have (Hard, alkaline, pH 8.2, 75 degrees F). The Cichlids I'm looking to get are electric yellow Labidochromis (about three of 'em) and maybe one or two others that are tame. Anyone here know of a good catfish that would fit into my little (29 gallon) tank?

**Wy Renegade** · 01-31-2008, 01:56 PM

You might try the upside down catfish. I've stocked them with ALC for years with good success. Additionally, since they actually swim around upside down they make a great topic of discussion.

mattrox · 02-01-2008, 02:29 AM

I have a feather fin http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_feather.php it is not from Lake Malawi, but the fish in the tank don't know that!

Here is a list of rift lake species.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/articles/riftcats.shtml

tomanytanks · 02-01-2008, 02:47 AM

You can never go wrong with a cory cat!

tomanytanks · 02-01-2008, 02:47 AM

try cory cats

toddnbecka · 02-02-2008, 02:42 AM

You really need a larger tank than a 29 for yellow Lab's, that size is better suited to Tanganykian shellies, with possibly a pair of Julies to share it.
Synodontis lucipinnis (formerly S. petricola) is a dwarf species from the same lake, but again, you would really need a larger tank for a group of those. They're a social, schooling fish, not happy being kept alone.

greyboysix · 02-02-2008, 05:58 PM

Yeah, I think I'm just gonna stick with the Yellow Labs. Maybe one other cichlid. I'll get 'em as babies so they aren't agressive towards eachother.

JustOneMore20 · 02-02-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

You really need a larger tank than a 29 for yellow Lab's, that size is better suited to Tanganykian shellies, with possibly a pair of Julies to share it.
Synodontis lucipinnis (formerly S. petricola) is a dwarf species from the same lake, but again, you would really need a larger tank for a group of those. They're a social, schooling fish, not happy being kept alone.

Agreed. I wouldn't put Mbuna in a 29g. That just isn't enough space for territories and such. Tangs would be a better choice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomanytanks

You can never go wrong with a cory cat!

Do not keep Cories with Mbuna. They will be killed.

greyboysix · 02-02-2008, 06:24 PM

My water's no good for tanganyikan cichlids. Perfect for Malawi's though. I don't know who to listen to anymore, as I've had just as many people tell me that what I want to do is fine as I've had tell me it's a mistake. Basically, I'm going to get baby Yellow Labs and let 'em grow into the tank. I'm not going to buy a bunch of full grown ones and try and shoe-horn them in. I'd love a larger tank, but I don't have room for anything larger than my 29 gallon right now. As I've lamented before, the water I have greatly limits what I can put in the tank baring totally bombing the water with chemicals to make tiny fish happy. And, nobody would recommend dousing the fish with chemicals. More than that, I don't want tiny fish, and I don't want big fish. From everything I've read off of the forums (specialist books and the like), a 29 gallon tank with proper filtration, heating, water make-up, and decor (lots of substrate for them to dig in, a few rock caves, lots of plants [plastic in my case, I have the opposite of a green thumb]), should be just fine for three or four yellow labs. Not trying to tick anyone off here, just getting really frustrated.