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View Full Version : Need some help deciding on new malawians.



Dr_Woo
01-02-2005, 3:03 AM
Hi all,

I am probably gonna start a new tank next week, and have decided to go for malawi cichlids. I have done some research and have come up with two choices....
Either: 3 eureka reds (1m, 2fm), 3 Aul.sp. Maleri Yellow (1m, 2fm), and 3 Aul. stuartgranti Maulana (1m, 2fm)

Or:
3 Labidochromis sp. "Hongi" (1m,2fm), 6 Ps. Saulosi (2m,4fm), and 3 of something else that i cannot decide on so a suggestion would be really helpful species, lol.

I dunno if those combinations might work, because spawning pairs may become too aggressive, but i am just throwing this stuff out there. I don't think they will be too aggressive, but if i have to only keep one spawning species i can do that. If that would be the case i would probably go for the peacocks, because they are more peaceful in general, and males are just beautiful. So, is this too overcrowded, or not crowded enough?

Also i want to know how to change the water in a malawi tank and keep a constant pH, and what type of cheap sand would you recommend? I heard that crushed coral is too sharp for the fish, and they may get cut, so i only plan to have a bag of it in my filter. That raises another question. How much crushed coral should i have in the filter to keep a pH of about 8. My pH straigh from tap is around 6.8
Sorry for the long post, but i just want to get this done right. Any word on that Bio-spira, is it still available, or is it gone again?

Dr_Woo
01-02-2005, 8:05 PM
Anyone with any suggestions at all?

SnakeIce
01-02-2005, 8:10 PM
no indication given as to the size of the tank you are going to set up. could be why there is a derth of responces.

Dr_Woo
01-02-2005, 8:14 PM
omg, i forgot all about that.....i thought i put it in there sorry....the tank will either be a 65 or 75g. Not much difference.

~*LuvMyKribs*~
01-03-2005, 2:14 AM
Try posting at http://www.malawimayhem.com

There are many more malawian minds there that can help you out ;)

Its good you've choosen either hap or mbuna mixes. I would not keep two species of alunocara together if you have any thought of breeding them (or letting them breed + raising the fry). All females look pretty much the same and hybridization will occur.

2 males to 4 females with salousies might be pushing it, i would do 1 male 4 females or 2 males and 6 females (or more).

I'm not sure on the crowding issues... but take it easy and remember overcrowding doesnt always work.

;)
-Diana