Gwillbo said:
hey thanks for the reply's
i really like the African cichlids and there bright colours and i know i need to put a lot of rocks in there for hiding spaces, but i really don't know which way to swing with the tank as if its African cichlids im stuck with only mbuna species so im going to take my time to choose what type of setup im going to go for..
Keep in mind that there are several lakes in Africa. Your Yellow Labs are Lake Malawi Mbuna. Lake Malawi is a Rift Lake. Rift Lake Cichlids prefer hard, alkaline water. Mbuna means "Rock Dwellers," so you are right on, in that Mbuna are comfortable with rockwork. Most people like to stack flat rocks, leaving crevices for the fish to hide in. Google (Images) "Cichlid Rockwork and see plenty of examples.
Lake Malawi has three basic groupings of Cichlids (that I know of, at least):
Mbuna,
Haps,
Peacocks
Most people recommend that African Cichlids should only be kept with other African Cichlids. More specifically, most experts will recommend that only Rift Lake Cichlids be kept with Rift Lake Cichlids. Even more specifically, most experts will recommend that Lake Malawi Cichlids only be kept with other Lake Malawi Cichlids. Yet more specifically, some experts recommend that only Mbuna should be kept with other Mbuna. Now, of course, opinions vary the more specific the advice goes.
Most anyone who keeps Cichlids of any variety will recommend that you should to pair up compatible temperaments.
Mbuna are aggressive (technically, "territorial") by nature; especially compared to non-Mbuna Cichlids (e.g. Haps, Peacocks). That being said, Yellow Labs are one of the most peaceful of the Mbuna. So you'll want to do your research and find other peaceful Mbuna to go with your Labs.
You also want to consider the Male/Female ratio. Male Mbuna often aggressively pursue females (sometimes, literally to death). Typically, but not always, male are more colorful than females. So you could either go with an all-male tank, or have more females than males to spread the "aggression." Opinions on ratios very widely. I have heard 1M:3F to 1M:7F. It may vary by species. I really wouldn't worry about it too much with Yellow Labs, though.
No worries about being "stuck with" an all Mbuna tank. I could not find a number in a search, but there are several varieties of very colorful Mbuna to choose from.
Good move on your part in taking your time to make your selection. Do plenty plenty plenty of research before purchasing. Never do an impulse purchase.
Have fun!
