new cichlids tank - Page 3

01-04-2009, 05:16 AM

Ouch. Dekker, I'm the last one to rain on a parade but if those yellow ones are what I think they are your going to have problems even in a 50g tank. The picture's not very clear but they look like Melonochromis auratus. These are the real bad boys of the Mbuna clan and the term "psycho" is commonly used when talking about them. They are highly territorial and aggressive and imo should not be housed in anything less then a 100g tank with a large footprint.

I started out with 4 of them in my 6'-84g tank and now just have one. He absolutely does not tolerate any horizontally striped fish and I also suspect him in the deaths of other aggressive Mbuna in my aquarium.

The other 2 look like cobalts "Metriaclima callainos" . It's kind of hard to tell without better pictures. They should do OK in a 50 gallon with some of the other milder Mbuna.

When you get the 50g I would replace the auratus with some yellow labs "Labidochromis caeruleus". They have a beautiful yellow coloring and for the most part a good disposition.

I'm not trying to discourage from keeping these wonderful cichlids but when it comes to Mbuna you have to pick species carefully and match them to your tank size. You'll get a lot more enjoyment out of them.

01-04-2009, 05:35 AM

I also noticed some bright orange fish in the background. If they were sold as Africans they are most likely Red Zebras. "Metriaclima estherae" They also can be a bit on the aggressive side. A 50g will be barely big enough for them. There is also the the possibility of cross breeding between them and the Cobalts and they definitely will cross with the yellow labs if you get them.

If you end up with hybrid fry please keep them in your tank or destroy them. Heaven knows there are already enough "mixed" Africans on the market these days

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dekker · 01-04-2009, 10:56 AM

hi iceblue

thanx for the warnings i will try to get a few better photos so you can advise me if they are what you say they are, i don't want world war 3 on my hands, so i would like to get things sorted.

cheers.................dekker

01-10-2009, 05:53 PM

Any new photo's?

dekker · 01-11-2009, 08:09 AM

not yet iceblue couple of reason's firstly my daughter's about to have a baby so not much time for anything else at moment, plue son-law has given me a new camera and i'm still trying to workit properly,but will take some as soon as i can, thanx for asking iceblue cheers mate.

thanx again...............dekker

01-12-2009, 12:19 AM

Congrats on the new grandchild.

They are a joy. My oldest daughter is due in April. It's her first child and my third grandchild.

dekker · 01-12-2009, 02:48 AM

thats very nice iceblue, this will be my second our son has a little girl, your right they are a joy speak soon.

dekker

dekker · 01-13-2009, 03:06 PM

hi guys got a new pic today must have taken 100 pics this is about the best.

dekker

Cory Lover · 01-13-2009, 06:14 PM

Nice pic. I know, it is extremely hard to get pictures of African Cichlids, I have tried before.

dekker · 01-14-2009, 01:52 AM

thanx c.l. yes it is hard to get photos they are so shy and so quick, i had a couple of hours spare the other day so sat in front of tank clicking away, that was the best i got just have to keep trying i guess.

dekker