My First African Lake Cichlid

[Desi]

So guys; I finally got my first pair of african lake cichlids; blue johanni's.

Can I please get input on what I should be doing? I would like to maybe convert either the 33gal or the 65gal into a cichlid tank with mixed african species.

I was told by my lfs manager that in small numbers the johannis will not necessarily do well but I could fill up my tank with many differnt kinds of these cichlids and it would stabilize the aggressions between fish.

I was thinking of transfering most of the tetras out to the 33gal; prolly make the 65gal into a cichlid; but I would like to know how many of these cichlids I could keep in a 33gal and how many in a 65. Also, out of all my current fish; could any of them possibly at all stand a chance at coexisting with these fish? AFTER ALL THEY'RE VEGETARIANS RIGHT?

 

[Cichlid-Man]

I'd go ahead an shoot for the 65gal. Really can't keep in a 33gal, not well. Anyways in a 65 gal i'd shoot for about 15-20 of these "Mixed Africans" or Mbuna species.

Tipically, overstocking, or stocking a dense amount of fish can work well in a Mbuna or malawi tank. The aggression is not gone totally, but it has been spread out.

 

[Desi]

well after one sleepless night; i've decided I will convert the 65gal; and turn the 33gal into a tetra tank.

A few questions; I have a giant piece of bogwood in the 65 thant really can't be relocated; will it be okay for the cichlids? Also, there is a strange algaelike growth onthe driftwood; looks like an algae/barnacle growth. Any ideas if its harmful?

Also, I plan on buying pretty much most of thesmall mixed cichlids at my lfs; they are selling at $8CAD each. I'm worried I might get the wrong fish; does anyone have a picture guide of what mbuna's will be compatible with a johanni; the lfs has them mixed up you see...

I was thinking of buying maybe about 10mbuna's today to add to the 65; another 10 in a few days.

 

[wayne]

I would really try to give mixed cichlids a miss. They're basically the stuff noone else wants