Prawns as food for Malawi's?

[emmamc91]

Now I know most are mainly of vegetable dietary requirements, and I usually throw in cucumber and sweet potato, which are very readily eaten, a good size piece doesn't usually last overnight, I also feed a good quality flake (JBL) and sometimes Cichlid Diet frozen cubes, however today (more out of experiment than anything) I threw in a prawn, which was instantly shredded, and fought over, just wondering if this could become a regular food alongside the veg, or if it should be something fed sparingly.. .

 

[Mogurako]

Malawis tells us nothing about the fish you are keeping and their dietary requirements.

If they are Mbuna and Peacocks then I would skip the prawns and only feed the veggies and pellets. However of you keep Haps like I do then the prawns will be a welcome addition to their diet.

 

[emmamc91]

Sorry, there is a mixture, mainly mbuna, it certainly didn't last very long...

 

[Mogurako]

Sorry, there is a mixture, mainly mbuna, it certainly didn't last very long...

Still doesn't tell us much but if it's mainly Mbuna than skip the prawns, stick to veggies and a good quality low protein pellet.

Just because they ate doesn't mean it's good for them. We can gobble up potato chips but should we eat them? Probably not.

 

[emmamc91]

Stocking -

3 Yellow Labs ( 1 male and 2 female)
4 Julidochromis
3 Pseudotropheus Demasoni
Couple of peacocks
A jewel cichlid
2 buttikoferi
1 Green Phantom Pleco
4 Silver Dollars

 

[Mashpotatoes74402]

I think it's a welcome TREAT. Definately not a regular feeding item. But once a month or so. I cut mine into pieces so everyone gets some

 

[emmamc91]

This was the first time I gave it to them... Won't again for a few weeks now thanks x

 

[Mashpotatoes74402]

You have any other pics of your tank?!?!?

 

[emmamc91]

Sure here's some right now... X

 

[emmamc91]

Few closer ones x

 

[Mogurako]

Stocking -

3 Yellow Labs ( 1 male and 2 female)
4 Julidochromis
3 Pseudotropheus Demasoni
Couple of peacocks
A jewel cichlid
2 buttikoferi
1 Green Phantom Pleco
4 Silver Dollars

Labs, Dema and the peacocks are actually the only fish from lake Malawi in that tank. Julis are from Tanganyika, Jewels and Buttikoferi are African river fish and silver dollars are from south America.

That tank is much to small to support the large growing Silver Dollars and Buttikoferi. Buttikoferi grow up to 18" and are highly aggressive and will most likely be the only fish left standing in that tank. I would consider sticking with Mbuna, peacocks or Fish from Tanganyika and redo your stocking.

 

[emmamc91]

That's why some will be moved to a bigger tank, with more suitable biotope later this year... Thanks for the concern, but it is a concern I also share, but while the buttikoferi are small, they are very much down in the dominance chain.. They keep themselves to themselves, and I understand this will likely change as they get bigger, and they will be moved in a couple of months... With my chemotherapy I had too much going on to get the bigger tank when planned, but my treatment finishes in October, so I plan on treating myself to a huge tank a solid oak unit with wine rack and 6ft tank, from Maidenhead Aquatics x

 

[Mogurako]

Sounds great! Can't wait for pictures of the new set up.

 

[Borderlesscott]

6 foot, wine rack, Cichlids - yep, sounds like a plan - I want one to!

 

[emmamc91]

Think it's only £699 though it was really good, just can't imagine the weight of solid oak, and that much water.. :/ haha x

 

[Mashpotatoes74402]

Wait wait the tank stand is the winerack?

 

[Mashpotatoes74402]

What kind of filtration do you have to keep up with all those ? I've got just a handful of silver dollars and my Oscar but I feel overstocked sometimes

 

[emmamc91]

Has a wine rack built in down either side, yeah, not under the tank, as that would provide a weakness under the weight of the water erm have a U4 internal, and a 205 external, do 25% changes daily, or 40-50% every other day... Perfect test readings...x

 

[Mashpotatoes74402]

That sounds like a TON of water changes. Or maybe I'm lazy.