Malawi Tank

[fishstixs05]

Im planning on turning my 55 gallon into a malawi tank, and so far i have decided to put in the eight malawi I have in another tank, 4 red finned boryeli, 2 zebra, and my two unidentifiable cichlids. Any advice on fish to add, or any other tips. TIA!

 

[madasafish]

"2 zebra"... M/F

I don't know if I've told you before, but I've mentioned to a couple of ppl on the site. The ratio of males:females in African Cichlid tanks is important. Several females to one male is the usual standard, as males can be very aggressive.

 

[ferret]

Either way, 8 malawi is about full for a 55 gallon. Even more so without correct ratios. The more fish you add, the more hiding places you need to add, the less space in the tank. Full grown, those 8 will probably be more than enough. I definately wouldn't go over 10. If you're hell bent on it though, might I suggest the ever popular electric yellow lab. Fairly mellow and non-aggressive for the most part.

I'll note I keep 14 currently (16 max at one time) in a 90 gallon.

 

[madasafish]

Yeah, I'm outfitting a beautifully filtered Tenecor 100 gallon with about 15-18 smaller (4-5 inch) cichlids. Don't overstock yourself on bioload and understock yourself on territory.

 

[Madame_X]

Is there an easy way to differentiate the sexes of young cichlids? I'm getting ready to start a 55 gallon cichlid tank as well. I know I have a pair (M/F) of brichardis and think I could easily differentiate those now but what about electric yellows and others?

 

[ferret]

Short answer: No.
Long answer: You need someone a lot more experienced and knowledgable than me

 

[shawmutt]

For sexing fish that look similiar, you need to learn a technique called venting. Here is a site I found on it: http://www.fishhead.com/articles/ventsex.htm

 

[fishstixs05]

Does anyone know good non-cichlid fish for a malwi tank?

 

[ferret]

There's a variety of plecos that can manage. Bristlenose is the most favored, in my experience. I keep a common though.

 

[fishstixs05]

anytypes of tetras, barbs, danios, or other small schooling fish?

 

[Voodoo Chilli]

Fishstix-

Most of the tropicals you mention probably won't last long in a Malawi tank. Your options are just about limited to what can be found in Lake Malawi- although some of the non-indigenous plecos the others have mentioned will be fine. Rift Lake cichlid behavior and temperment is a lot different than what's found with other fish- which makes it really difficult to mix and match the two.

 

[fishstixs05]

But arent there some fish being imported from Lake Malawi other than cichlids?

 

[dcontes77]

No You cannot this kind of fish with cichlids you can try a clownloach

 

[Fruitbat]

Fishstixs05...

The plecos that others have suggested will tolerate (though not thrive in) the hard, alkaline water that your Malawi cichlids will need. As an alternative you might consider a Synodontis sp. cat or two. Synodontis nyassae is endemic to Lake Malawi and gets to about 20cm (8 inches).

There are a number of good books out there regarding the fishes of Lake Malawi (though many of them are old and may be out of print). There are some African barbs that are found in the Rift Lakes but most of them aren't commonly available in pet shops because they're too big or not very colorful.

The lampeyes, particularly Aplocheilichthys johnstoni and Aplocheilichthys katangae are also found in Lake Malawi. They may often be had from specialized killifish dealers.

There aren't just a whole lot of other non-cichlids from the Rift Lakes that make very good aquarium subjects and there are not a whole lot of non-cichlids anywhere that will enjoy the water parameters that your Africans need.

Good luck!

 

[fishstixs05]

Does anyone know now to breed red finned boryeli? And do male/female has distinct markings?