Non cichlid in mbuna tanks?

[KarlTh]

pH no problem. High GH? More of an issue. It almost always is. I wouldn't do it; the point of a Mbuna tank is that it is a biotope of Lake Malawi - where tiger barbs etc. are conspicuous by their absence. If you want to mix cichlids with other community fish then the New World species or African riverine species are a better bet, and live in compatible water conditions - congo tetras with Jewel cichlids or Kribs (not together, I don't think ) might work. The very high TDS of a good Mbuna tank is not conducive to long term health in fish from softer, less mineralised waters - i.e. nearly everything else at the LFS. Except the Poeciliid livebearers of course, but best of luck keeping guppies with your auratus.

For ther record, Mbuna are tropical fish, given that Lake Malawi is in the tropics, and they are definitely fish.

 

[Dacrittergitter]

Kevin007, No my labs haven't been nipped at, the tiger barbs keep to themselves. My labs are 2.5-3" long and the barbs around 1.5". The Ph in my tank hovers around 8.0, it's a little over that just before the weekly water change and a little under after. I'm really happy, the barbs are doing incredibly well.

 

[Kevin007]

I went to the fish store and they have fully grown tiger barbs at 4 for $12, they are gorgeous.

The yellow labs are $30 for 6 (1.5 inch) and Acei are $18 for 3

I might not get rusties, we'll see, I'll be adding the labs first then aceis, I don't know about tiger barbs or the rusties.

How beautiful are the rusties? I've never seen them in person, I've never been a fan of copper colour'd fish...

 

[helios99]

My best buddy keeps loaches with his Mbuna cichlids and I haven't seen any problems yet. They've lived peacefully for a year and a half now. He does keep his cichlid tank a little overstocked though to minimise aggression. When I was converting to a cichlid tank there were a few people here at AC who said loaches wouldn't do too bad with Mbunas and some were against it.

Hope that helps.