Peacock or Mbuna; I can't decide.

O

ozgood

AC Members
Jul 11, 2007
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Northern Virginia
My 75 gallon is almost cycled. It's processing 4ppm Ammonia in less than 24 hours and I'm down to .5 ppm Nitrite in 24 hours.

I have been planing on a Mbuna tank with Cobalt Blue Zebra, Red Zebra, Bumblebee.

Wen't to the LFS today and found that the better 1/2 really likes Peacocks. I know that I shouldn't mix them and don't want to try. Does someone have a suggestion or two as to why I should get one vs. the other.

As for the tank setup, there's rock in there and the substrate is Eco-Complete Cichlid gravel. I know that the Peacocks prefer sand. Would the gravel force me into Mbuna? I like the look of the Mbuna but I'm worried about the aggression. My wife and I aren't to keen on our fish picking on each other. In the past we've had to return tiger barbs that were picking other fish to death.

Ugh. I didn't know that this relaxing hobby was supposed to be so stressful.
 
I'm in the same boat. Couldn't decide between the two but others told me it was okay to mix mbuna with peacocks. There are less aggressive mbuna like the electric yellows. Maybe others on the board could tell us which other mbuna are not terribly aggressive. Then mix them together with the peacocks and enjoy their beauty!

I personally love the demosoni too, but have heard they can be pains. We just have to figure out which ones are pleasant to have. :)

I'm looking forward to other replys so I'll know what to do myself!

Erin
 
I've had a 55 peacock/mbuna mixed tank going for a couple years now. Its an all male tank to have the most color and reduced aggression. I tried to have a hap in the tank twice with mixed results so I jsut stick with mbuna and peacocks.

I'd stay away from the bumblebees, they can get nasty when they get older. I would say most peacocks are fine temperment-wise. I have a German Red, 2 Sunshine, Eureka(OtterPoint), and 2 Hansbaenschi. They all get along fine with my mbuna - yellow lab, cobalt blue, red zebra, hongi, and some success with pearlmutts. Some mbuna I would avoid are kenyi, demasoni, or any of the pike cichlids.

Just keep a close eye on your fish and return any fish that are overly aggressive. I'll usually get 3 then return any females or aggressive ones. Also remember in some cases overcrowding can curb aggression as long as you keep up on water changes and testing.
 
DO NOT PUT in a kenyi! they are little murderers. on topic though, yes you can mix them.
 
ok well then i have one phsyco fish.
 
So, if I nixed the idea of the Bumblebees but got male and female Electric Yellow, Cobalt Blue, and Red Zebra would one or two male Peacocks be OK? Are Acei more aggressive like a Bumblebee?
 
I love an all peacock tank.
 
Bumblebees are the burglars of the cichlid family. I have a bumblee and he turns black goes into a cave takes some food and comes back with his yellow/black coat. a real cat burglar. He is agressive if he's with fish smaller than him. My other cichlids step up to him and really say "dont even mess with me man" in my opinion if they are similar age/size they have been around like a drug dealer who knows the streets. they aren't scared but when you get totally different ages/ different cichlid ages it really can be a nuissance. I do not recommend bumblebees in with tiny fish. hell just beat them up and take their lunch money. and to be honest ive only seen them beat up not really eat, they like to defend and be the big man. Simply put ill move him out if he gets ridicolously out of control. put him in jail with some convicts hmmm whose worse an angry bumblebee or a male black convict ready to mate?
 
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