Cichlid compatability

[newhobbist]

I'm trying to learn more about cichlids and considering transfering my tank to these species. Reading about Tanganyikan cichlids tanks and Malavi cichlids tanks I noticed that, even though these fish requires similar water parameters, they are recomended not to be mixed. Is there any particular reason for that?
Secondly, within Malavi cichlids, can I keep together Mbuna and Peacock?

[Zagz]

I have been doing quite a bit of research on cichlids lately. I have discovered that species from different lakes shouldn't be kept together because simply put they don't get along. Nature put them in different lakes for a reason.

Mbuna and peacock's aren't generally compatible because most mbuna are more aggressive than peacocks. There are always exceptions to the rule, my advice is research the types of fish you want and then you can compare the habitat's and make an informed decision. Good luck.

[tetrin]

zagz is right. what i faintly remember is that the malawi cichlids are far more boisterous and appreciate a far greater stocking density than the ones from tanganyika. so tangs in a malawi tank live a stressful and short life. i can dig up more reasons if you want.
in case your tank is huge so that you can divide it into separate rocky areas and sandy areas. then you might try a mix of some tangs and certain peaceful non-mbuna. but its not recommended for beginners (of course i have no info on your expertise level ).

mbuna and peacocks are not recommended together for the same reason as before. mbuna being far more active and usually aggressive than peacocks, outcompete peacocks during feeding time, harass them a lot and ultimately, lead to frayed fins and untimely deaths. of course, as zagz stated, there are exceptions to this general rule of dominance and i have seen it happen in my tank.

[newhobbist]

mbuna and peacocks are not recommended together for the same reason as before. mbuna being far more active and usually aggressive than peacocks, outcompete peacocks during feeding time, harass them a lot and ultimately, lead to frayed fins and untimely deaths. of course, as zagz stated, there are exceptions to this general rule of dominance and i have seen it happen in my tank.

Does aggressiveness of mbuna depend on their size? In other words, can I keep larger peacocks with smaller mbunas in one tank?
[acronym:2eed749e36="By the way"]BTW[/acronym:2eed749e36], my thank that I want to convert to Cichlids tank is 72g.

[tetrin]

no. unfortunately, a pint-sized demasoni or a juvi male auratus or a dominant smaller zebra can run larger peacocks ragged. but there are less aggressive mbuna, like yellow labs and ps. acei or even c. afra (some) that will mix well with peacocks. but occasionally there'll be a power-crazy lab (sometimes hybridized) that'll wreck havoc in your tank.
and its always great to see someone migrating to cichlids; amazing personality, great parenting skills and interesting behavior are a few traits that drew me to them.

[dskidmore]

I knew nothing abut cichlids when someone gave me a "pair". In retrospect think I really had been given two males, and the dominant one killed absolutely everything I put in the tank with him. I still don't know which variety I had, or I might have had more sucess with him.

Fortunately for me, he is gone now.

[Zagz]

There are tons of sites out there that will give you detailed descriptions on cichlids. Once you have decided on some of the ones you like, you can post and get everyone's opinions on them. One thing I have learned about cichlids is it is far better to research before you buy!

[dskidmore]

At the time I wasn't so great on internet research. I had a phamplet on fish species that showed a "male and female cichlid". From that info I had no idea there was that much more to know about it.

[Menagerie]

Aside from aggression, the diet is different among African cichlids. I highly recommend this site: http://www.mongabay.com/fish/cichlids.htm for information. 72 gallons is a decent sized tank for either type of cichlid. Research is key with these fish!

[newhobbist]

One thing I have learned about cichlids is it is far better to research before you buy!

I'm not rushing into converting my tank and will most definetely learn as much as possible before converting it.
Maybe, at the and I will learn that cichlids are not for me. I like them very much, but what I like the most is the diversity of cichlids. There are many cichlids that I would love to have in my tank, but if I conclude that incomparability severely restricts my choices, I might stick with a community tank until I have a chance for a second one.

P.S. I want a different setup without sacrifising what I already have and am thinking about another tank. Isn't that a first sign of addiction?