Setting up a Lake Malawi Tank

[ibr3ak]

I've picked out the males out of a species tank just by getting the most dominant lab in the tank with more pronounced black on its fins as well as eggspots, males will also often show a little black line running vertical through their eyes, this however is not a 100%, I've seen some females with similar traits (guess I've just been lucky).

Though if you are doing it blind (without venting them or if they are smaller than 2", when you can't really vent them to be certain yet), just try to pick out the most dominant and then the lesser or least dominant labs that show less black, this way you've got nothing to lose, because either way you'd be thinning them out at maturity. Also try to pick out the most yellow ones that don't show any barring at all.

 

[Lady G]

Ok, thanks so much guys!!!

 

[AfroCichlid]

Great thread. I use a sump on my 55 gallon. I love the versatility they give you. The combos of mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration is awesome, not to mention it adds water volume to the tank, and that is always a plus. You can completely change your filter pads all at once, since you'd have your bio filtration on bio-balls. They're more accessible than canisters, and easily modified to suit your needs. Go with the sump!

 

[Lady G]

I plan to Afro...it will take me a while to get it going because I need to get a couple parts for it, but I definately plan to use it! When I do, would you be able to help me out a little with what to do? I know when I planned on using it for my SW what all I was suppose to put in each compartment, but for FW I'm not sure?

 

[Lady G]

I GOT FISH!!!!! WOOOO-WOOOOO!!!

So I finally made it to the LFS and got 5 yellow labs. I had to get small ones so I'm not sure if they are male or female, but they did tell me I can bring back which ever ones I end up not wanting for more store credit!! They did have 3 big ones they were about 2.5" I would say, but they were all males sooooo, I couldn't come home empty handed and I got these little guys/gals!!!

It was sooo funny though while we were there, I took my 4yo with me..she was looking around at the fish and the guy was amazed..she yells.. "Momma, come here....they have firemouths and jack dempseys over here"!!! Then she knew the Jardini and the oscars too, he was cracking up, I was like "Yep..thats MY girl"!!!

Anyway before I ramble more here are my new babies waiting to be released in the tank!!! (Oh and I picked up 3 big Vals). They are quite stressed right now since they went on a 45 minute ride to their new home!

 

[Lady G]

Welp..they are out and exploring their new home!!!

 

[Coler]

great ! fish in the tank !

good luck with them G - very cool.

ehhh...I'ma say one of 'em anyway is sorta like a kenyi with a zebra touch to him (stripey fellow in the last shot)...and the sorta greyish guy in that shot don't look so much labby...and don't hate me but I have a doubt on the stripey ish guy too left of first shot...something not right on the eyes/face - eyes look too large to be lab...lips a lil too thick...stripey colouration.

edit - i'm talking about the first set of pics btw.

If you hate me for saying that you can say so

edit - they look great in there btw just saw the second set of pics

 

[Lady G]

great ! fish in the tank !

good luck with them G - very cool.

ehhh...I'ma say one of 'em anyway is sorta like a kenyi with a zebra touch to him (stripey fellow in the last shot)...and the sorta greyish guy in that shot don't look so much labby...and don't hate me but I have a doubt on the stripey ish guy too left of first shot...something not right on the eyes/face - eyes look too large to be lab...lips a lil too thick...stripey colouration.

If you hate me for saying that you can say so

edit - they look great in there btw just saw the second set of pics

LOL, Nope...don't hate ya for saying it!! Actually there were a couple I wondered about really, wasn't sure if it was stress making them look odd to me or if they actually were not yellow labs. I figured I'd give them some time and see what they look like, I'll try and get a pic of the ones I questioned. I can just take them back and tell them I don't think they are yellow labs and I want to trade them in.

 

[Coler]

Sweet !

The labs will show some blackish barring when stressed occasionally.

Let them settle in and get some more pics up and we can sort them out for ya

 

[AfroCichlid]

They definately looked mixed. No telling what sort of temperament they'll have.

I'll certainly help with your sump. Should be a snap to modify from salt.