Cichlid combinations

[mar_att1]

still doing my research, maybe i will get cichlids but i still need ur expert opinions ....

well i just went into my store's website and here's what i found. they give two combinations and i'm guessing that they have these in stock...

SA cichlids:
http://www.akkwarjumalfa.com/beginnerstips.htm
(firemouths/texas/jackdempsey)

Mbuna:
auratus/peacock/kenyi/red zebra/johanni
http://www.akkwarjumalfa.com/beginnerstips.htm

do u agree that these are good combinations? and how would u set up the tank if u were me for either combination?

Thanks in advance

[Jchillin]

Those "cookie cutter" websites don't tell the whole story, I would just ignore them. It is far better to do research on each individual fish. In some cases, although the fish can co-habitate in the tank when young, major changes develop over time.

[Voodoo Chilli]

I see both those "combos" creating war zones.

Auratus, johanni, and kenyi in the same tank?! Those are three of the most aggressive mbuna available (and unfortunately, some of the most readily available).

The SA tank could work, provided it be large enough. I wouldn't try that in anything smaller than a 75g or 90g tank, though.

I'm with J: most cookie cutter combos aren't firmly rooted in reality. It's much better to research what you want and create your own system.

[mar_att1]

the lfs seems to have just put the cichlids coming from the same area together without seeing their temperament.

here's what i'll do, i'll go to some of the shops and see what kinds they have and i'll come with the list that most appeals to me and then i'll ask ur opinions on them. it's very probable that they dont have all the ones i'm reading about on the net

thanks a lot guys!

[JDogg]

Originally Posted by mar_att1

the lfs seems to have just put the cichlids coming from the same area together without seeing their temperament.

here's what i'll do, i'll go to some of the shops and see what kinds they have and i'll come with the list that most appeals to me and then i'll ask ur opinions on them. it's very probable that they dont have all the ones i'm reading about on the net

thanks a lot guys!

good idea!

[Voodoo Chilli]

Yep; you're well on your way to becoming a happy cichlid owner! We'd be glad to help you with your stocking plans.

[triazole]

peacocks are not mbuna...i can see the auratus emerging as the sole species in the tank, unless its a 200g tank with numerous hidey-holes...

[Menagerie]

Auratus, johanni, and kenyi in the same tank?! Those are three of the most aggressive mbuna available (and unfortunately, some of the most readily available).

That would be a disaster!

Check out the links provided in the sticky for this forum--you will get information about the differences in Rift Lake cichlids, Haps v Mbuna and info on the New World cichlids. Cichlids are amazing and have different needs to keep aggression in check and keeping them healthy (i.e. too much protein will hurt Mbuna).

[JustOneMore20]

I used the African cichlid cookie cutters as a guide for planning my Mbuna tank. I looked at the profiles to see which ones I liked and then asked lots and lots of questions about them as to which ones would go good together. Many times the profiles aren't entirely correct when it comes to the aggression level. I didn't strictly follow the cookie cutters but it was the beginning of my research. The key is to ask about the ones you like because those cookie cutters aren't too accurate.

There is more than one type of Peacock too...and they aren't Mbuna. They are gorgeous fish though. Go to the profile section on cichlid-forum.com and look under Malawi Peacocks. You could do a Hap tank with Peacocks included. I love Aulonocara jacobfreibergi "Eureka". They are very pretty.

Some milder tempered Mbuna are:
Yellow labs (Labidochromis caeruleus)
Rusty cichlids (Iodotropheus sprengerae)
Cobalt zebras (Metriaclima callainos)....i think they are mildly aggressive

Some that are aggressive, but not too bad:
Pseudotropheus socolofi
Pseudotropheus saulosi
Metriaclima estherae (Red Zebras)
Cynotilapia afra "Cobue"
Pseudotropheus sp. "Lime Nkhomo"

Those are the ones I've looked at. There may be more and I could be totally wrong about their aggression levels (haven't kept them yet)....I am just going by what others have told me. Some of the other Labidochromis species could be mildly aggressive, but I just haven't asked about them, because I want Yellow Labs. If someone needs to correct me or add anything...go for it!

Check them out...ask a ton of questions....get other people's experiences and what has worked for them as far as combinations go.

From what I've been told, Kenyi, Johanii, Demansoni and Elongatus are all really aggressive. I don't think I'd keep them in a 55g...but thats just me.

Good luck!

[mar_att1]

thanks a lot JOM! u've given me a lot to think about

tomorrow i'm going window shopping lol, i'll visit the shops and see what they have in stock to give u ppl an idea what is available.

in the meantime, i'll keep doing my research.

i'll report back tomorrow

oh! and BTW, i would love cichlids which do not grow too much in size cos i dont want them to feel overcrowded in a 55g. i read about apistos but i'm scared that my water will not be good for SA cichlids. i think my water is much more suited to africans cos its quite hard. cant give u the exact ph reading, i have yet to do it.

correct me if i have wrong info, at this stage i am cruising the net and the forums like mad, and all the info is getting quite confusing. tomorrow, maybe the list of the species available and the ones that i mostly like will help...

TIA!!