New Cichlid Tank Advice?

[Jakepen]

Hey guys, I'm setting up a cichlid tank. I'd like to do a malawi tank, mostly mbuna species I think. I have a 70 gallon tank, with an emperor 400, and a fluval 406, a Hydor koralia 1050, tetra ap 150. I know I want some yellow labs, red zebras, I also want a nice bright blue fish. Any suggestions? Also how many fish do you guys think I can stock in here? Give me your guys opinions on what good starters are, I want a bright tank, colorful fish that can live together. I'd like some afras also. Let me know what you guys think, thanks.

 

[Steelerfish412]

Some blue ones I have are the cobalt blue and a johanni. Cobalt is like a powder blue and the johanni is dark blue with light blue stripes pretty cool looking( my profile pic) . I like the rustys they are a golden brown then when they get bigger they get a purle hue to them. Aka lavender cichlid

 

[Andrew McFadden]

This is what I'd do

5- Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos Maingano
5 - yellow labs
5 - afra cobue
3- red zebra
3 -cobalt zebra

 

[Jakepen]

Are those all pretty common, like can I get them from my lfs?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

I.can get them at one of mine called jackspets

 

[Skeletor18]

Careful as red Zebras and yellow labs can cross breed, but you can let the fry be released and will be taken care of by the other fish

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Careful as red Zebras and yellow labs can cross breed, but you can let the fry be released and will be taken care of by the other fish

All fish can cross bread, I've never had a problem with my labs and red zebras or ob zebra. Some do interbreed worse than others. But they wouldn't be at the top of my list. Now the red and cobalt would be. And they would make ob zebras

 

[Skeletor18]

All fish can cross bread, I've never had a problem with my labs and red zebras or ob zebra. Some do interbreed worse than others. But they wouldn't be at the top of my list. Now the red and cobalt would be. And they would make ob zebras

Of course all can. I've always seen it a lot more common between reds and yellows more than anything

 

[Jakepen]

If that was the case, would those ob zebras be ok in the tank?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

If that was the case, would those ob zebras be ok in the tank?

Yes if someone doesn't eat them first

 

[Jakepen]

Can peacocks live with the fish you guys listed?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Can peacocks live with the fish you guys listed?

With the list I said yes

 

[CameronCade]

With the list I said yes

I had a peacock with almost the same list above and it didn't survive. It got bulky a lot. But I have read people have kept peacocks with mbunas and was successful. I guess it's a hit or miss.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

I had a peacock with almost the same list above and it didn't survive. It got bulky a lot. But I have read people have kept peacocks with mbunas and was successful. I guess it's a hit or miss.

I'm one

 

[Cornstar]

I'm one

Quick question. Are powder blue cichlids and blue cobalt zebra cichlids the same fish?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Quick question. Are powder blue cichlids and blue cobalt zebra cichlids the same fish?

Pretty sure

 

[dornblaser1]

i have one female acei (nice blue fish), 14 dems (blue w/ light blue vertical stripes), 6 yellow labs 3 ob red zebras, 3 jewels, and 1 Haplochromis sp. "#44" thickskin (yellow/ blue/ red)

 

[Jakepen]

How do you guys keep your decor, (mainly the rocks) in your tanks stable. I know how cichlids like to dig, I don't want any rocks to fall. Also if I'm not using very heavy rocks, is an egg crate really necessary?

 

[Skeletor18]

How do you guys keep your decor, (mainly the rocks) in your tanks stable. I know how cichlids like to dig, I don't want any rocks to fall. Also if I'm not using very heavy rocks, is an egg crate really necessary?

What substrate are you using? Either sand or gravel they will dig up. Well I have an overstocked 55 and only one (red zebra) and



This is what he does. Like it will get an inch higher as he takes out more. My rocks are without egg crate but are sturdy in there

 

[Skeletor18]

Those rocks are from inside the cave to the left. He has made it really deep in thwre