78gal. First time cichlid tank

[JackHammer]

So I have recently been told I can have a friends 78 gallon (298 liter) tank for free, I already have a tropical tank and a shrimp tank so I am wanting to try cichlids.

I have decided on Lake Malawi Mbuna and I will use Texas holy rock on sand and crushed coral.

As I have never had cichlids however, I am not sure what to stock the tank with.

Anyone got any Mbuna they really like or dislike?

Any tips for keeping a Mbuna tank would also be appreciated.

Cheers

 

[Cichlidfan]

I love my Acei cichlids.. love their color and there less aggressive than most other cichlids. I also have Kenyi Cichilds and demasoni cichlids

 

[Rivers2k]

Everyone has likes and dislikes about Mbuna. Just a warning Mbuna will be chasing each other all day long. It personally stresses me out so I don't like them. I even tried doing a tank of Acei and Labs (supposedly the most peaceful). I added one ornery male and the balance was off never to be recovered. Even after I removed the problem fish another one took its place.

If you are doing it for the color look at peacock cichlids I love my peacocks. They give chase to each other every once in a while but nobody is getting beat up on. The color is outstanding!

 

[Aquarium advice master]

Ya I would try peacocks i have mambas and all they do is fight and kill new fish.

 

[Big John]

Not trying to be awkward but in my tank it's the peacocks that do all the chasing round annoying me

 

[kjacks]

If you stock it right fish shouldnt be dying to begin with.. of course you may get 1 bad egg from time to time but most of the time accurate stocking and environment and there isnt a problem

To start with are there any you like or favorite colors you want .. personally i would stick with more peaceful-mildly aggressive cichlid

The labidochromis species is good but only one as many have had bad luck mixing the species ( ex. white labs and yellow labs) the cynotilipia afras also are good and stay smaller the pseudotropus elongatus.. just a few to look up and if you want a catfish for a bottom feeder you can look up synodontis

Here is a article to kinda help out some

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/lake-malawi-aquarium-stocking-cichlids/