African Cichlid Tank

[phOOey]

I was hoping to start a mini malawi tank using a 20g, i used the cichlid forums 'cookie cutter' thing to look up some combinations of fish.

Using that i decided to get a trio 1m/2f of Labidochromis caeruleus ( yellow labs ) and a trio 1m/2f of Pseudotropheus socolofi ( powder blue cichlid ).

I would use a sand substrate and make atleast one hiding place per fish using rocks, i will probably just have one or two java ferns attached to a couple of the rocks, as far as plants are concerned.

Can anyone foresee any problems that this set up may make? Also is there any way to tell the difference between males and females of the two species i've chose?

 

[migerrin]

I have a male & female p. socolofi (expecting their first babies any day now). My male has bold verticle dark strikes with a lot of black on upper & lower fins. My female looks more solid light blue (you can see stripes if you look closely). She doesn't have the black on fins. My male is the dominant one in my tank, so he can be a bit of a meanie. However, the female is very docile. Can't wait to see the babies.

Also, my male loves to dig & move the gravel around which is common. I put gravel in to satisfy this urge and to give him something to do. They will dig out their own hiding places much of the time.

One thing mine love is when I build bridges with rocks against the back of the tank with one longer rock layed across two others. They love to hide in there, and seem to prefer the ones with only a front exit than ones open on both sides.

Hope this helps!

 

[Cichlid-Man]

I think it would become crowded. The Powder Blues will become to large. They are a type of Mbuna which grow to about 6".

I think you'd be alright with the yellow labs (3-4, 1m/2-3f)

 

[phOOey]

what do you think the minium tank size would be for that combination of fish that i originally chose?

 

[c_paan]

If they get to about 6" I would think to be safe no smaller then a 55g that may even be too small.

 

[Somonas]

I agree a 55g at least!
I dont know who over there at Cichlid Forums makes up these tank calculator things.
a 20 is good for 3-4 adult labs max. and 4 would be pushing it. a dominant male yellow lab would probably kill everything in that tank even the other females. a 20 gallon is no place for Malawi cichlids except the smallest fry or juvenile fish.

 

[Managuense]

you could always set up a pair of julies in your 20 gallon tank.....long right?

 

[Purple]

The Blue Mbunas are terrorists in a tank - they fin nip and run away - my Pl*cs are getting seriously fed up with them, and so am I. Hiding places are no barrier to the Blues, they will constantly seek and disturb.

The yellow Labs would be a much better bet - (just don't mix them with anything that's blue - lol).

As Mana says, for a 20, you'd do better with smaller fish. "Mixed Cichlid" tanks start at the 55 mark just for the sake of sanity (yours and the fishes).

 

[phOOey]

Every thing i've read said the powder blue cichlids only got to 4 inch and were one of the more 'peacefull' of the mbunas, o well they have probably had no personall experience with them . i havn't actually got the tank yet but i think it will end up being a 25g, i think i may get one male yellow lab and 2 or 3 females instead then.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Don't underestimate yellow labs They can be REALLY colorful and active. They can make a great Cichlid tank, and i am considering some for myself.

I think a Yellow Lab tank would suit your wants well

 

[DOTO]

Barb,
I have always found yellow labs to beautiful fish provided you get them from good linneage. If they come from poor stock they lack the vibrance and yellow/black colour definition and typically have more vertical bars than those from good parental stock. I suggest you continue your education to be sure you select your fish wisely and be very selective where you get your fish.