Small red Malawi cichlid?

[slipknottin]

Just started a new Malawi tank, and already have the yellow and blue covered. What smaller sized (less than 5") red cichlid would you recommend? I havent had much luck with peacock's staying the same color they are when small.

[valerie]

I dont' think there are any really red cichlids(liek fire engine red). The closest would probably be the german red peacocks but even they can sometimes be orange(like mine) they also get about 5-6" and take a while to color up.

Red zebras are another red african but they are also kind of more orange then red.

I don't think i have ever seen a really red african(atleast not any i seen through doing research about lake malawi). I hope someone else can help,maybe there is:p

[jimbo]

I agree with Valerie.
Besides the German Red, which btw is the result of long-term selective line-breeding, there are some haps with some red in their coloration like the Copadichromis Borleyi sp.

http://www.gcca.net/fom/fom_pix/c_borleyi.jpg
http://pages.infinit.net/cichlid/clients/james_landry/10.jpg

[gregga]

Hey Slip.......
I disagree. IMO Red Empresses, although the males can get bigger than 5", are perfect. This fish is RED..Here's mine..........
http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL207/1188005/2248679/27176068.jpg

[Mystroe_TheMyst]

Oh top fish, lol I spotted the black guy in between the rocks on the left there....sneaky

great fish!

[inxs]

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL22/551337/884827/20726184.jpg
Bad picture of a red zebra - malawi.

[valerie]

I know some of the Haps are red(not totally red but have some red in them) but they also get bigger then the 5"max he wants. If we are talking maximum lenght 5" i can't think of a really red african.

[Dragon_Lord_Tia]

firemouths have a bit for (fire engine red in them:D

[jimbo]

Originally posted by Dragon_Lord_Tia
firemouths have a bit for (fire engine red in them:D

Not really a good idea mixing these with cichlids from Lake Malawi.
Their water requirements differs way too much
Firemouths are best kept with pH around 7, preferably 6.8 and malawi's around 8, preferably 8.3.
You could go for the middle. Whether that's good for them, I’m not so sure.

Jimmy

[slipknottin]

All I could find at the pet store was the red zebra's. There still tiny (fry like) so they arent that bright red yet.

Tank looks nice though, Ill try to get some pics. It was nice getting 200+ pounds of slate for free. :D

[slipknottin]

Here are a few pics, they didnt come out too well, but my digi camera isnt very good.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/pb9510b73a70739580a1f6b6cad1fad4d/fbe88c3b.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/p97e95c4356d08935d94ddc84f16b263c/fbe88c3d.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/pb43b4baf5b57600dabb90175665e7b5c/fbe88c42.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/pbb6ac3e9a7782e3f27b8f67ad01a3922/fbe88c4a.jpg

[inxs]

Did you silicone it together?

I'd be a little afraid of a landslide in there if they aren't glued.

Otherwise it looks nice.

[slipknottin]

No silicone... But its completely solid, there are bricks in there holding the sections up.

[Dragon_Lord_Tia]

ignore my post i forgot the malawi part:cool:

[dcallen]

Hi,


That's a nice looking setup. What size tank is it? I would agree with gregga I think a Red Empress would be a good choice for your tank, he has a very nice looking male. Whatever you decide good luck.