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  L# 29g Malawi Cichlid Log
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Subscribe29g Malawi Cichlid Log
Garofoli
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Big Fish
Posts: 337
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Registered: 12-Apr-2006
male usa
Hello everyone,
I am here with a tank Idea for my 29g tank. Just the other day I went to my LFS and was looking around the store until I came upon a beautiful Malawi tank full of very vivid and vibrant fish. I immediately recognized Yellow Labs, Cobalt Blues, and some Red Zebras. While I was there I acquired two things the Idea of a Malawi Tank and some strawberry Rock. I have been wanting to switch around my tank and start over. Right now I have 3 silver dollars and a Green Severum. When I was there the owner of the store told me that I could keep my severum and get some Lake Malawi cichlids. So here is my Idea. I am wondering if I can put X amount of Malawi cichlids with my severum in a 29g tank. I am willing to get rid of the Severum and definetly the Silver Dollars. I need Ideas! This is only the beginning of a log... Thank you.

Chris
Post InfoPosted 29-Oct-2006 22:07Profile AIM PM Edit Report 
GirlieGirl8519
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Fish Master
*Malawi Planter*
Posts: 1468
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Registered: 25-Mar-2005
female usa
I would not put Cobalts and Red Zebras in a 29g tank. They both get around 6 inches and are pretty aggressive. Yellow labs may be ok in that size tank, though I don't suggest it. I would get rid of the Severum though and not try to keep Africans with it.

You could possibly have a group of the labs and a group of a smaller Mbuna, maybe some Cynotilapia afra cobue. I wouldn't put more than 2 groups in that size tank though. I would go with a group of 4-5 of each type.

*Kristin*
Post InfoPosted 30-Oct-2006 02:07Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Garofoli
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Big Fish
Posts: 337
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Registered: 12-Apr-2006
male usa
So could I keep the Severum and get 4 or 5 Labs?

Chris
Post InfoPosted 01-Nov-2006 02:18Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
GirlieGirl8519
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Fish Master
*Malawi Planter*
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Registered: 25-Mar-2005
female usa
I wouldn't do it. You aren't supposed to mix Africans with other types of cichlids. I'd do either the Severum or the labs, not both.

*Kristin*
Post InfoPosted 02-Nov-2006 01:09Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Tanya81
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female usa
OK there are 2 ways to look at this. By technicality and bio-topes, you shouldn't keep the severum(south american) with any africans due to each needing their own specific water quality. On the other hand most fish in the us are acclimated to hard water, so they will still survive, as I kept a severum in hard water with no issues what so ever and he thrived. But because you hae a 29 gallon, you still need to get the severum a larger home in the future, say at least a 55 gallon. Same applies with your silver dollars. Now for a 29 gallon, i would see if you can find any of the Kribensis speices, as they stay small, or stick with south american and try blue rams or bolivian ramns, they are still cichlids, but retain on the smaller side. Hope this helps

72 gallon bowfront:Tanganyikan Lake set up
75 gallon: A. Baenschi trio,Cyanotilapia Afra Cobwe(4), copadichromis trewavase, protomelas sp. tangerine tiger(breeding pair)
Post InfoPosted 10-Nov-2006 20:18Profile AIM MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
Garofoli
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Big Fish
Posts: 337
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Registered: 12-Apr-2006
male usa
EditedEdited by Garofoli
Okay. well, I guess that I will just get Malawi and no Severum... I will get rid of the severum but how many of cobalts, Zebras and Labs can I get?

Chris
Post InfoPosted 15-Nov-2006 15:25Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
WiseIves
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MbunaMbunaMbuna
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Registered: 24-Nov-2004
male usa
here's my suggestion. Although i do not advise using a 29 for Mbuna, if you are going to do it, you can do the yellow labs. Probably like 1M and 3F. If you want something else then you can add some afra's with the same ratio. I would probably stop there. Your problem is going to be getting the right ratio especially with the labs b/c they are near impossible to sex until they get into adulthood. Also keep in mind that the decor requires alot of rocks, remember mbuna means rock fish.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher
Post InfoPosted 15-Nov-2006 19:59Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
GirlieGirl8519
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Fish Master
*Malawi Planter*
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female usa
I agree with WiseIves. I'd only put 2 groups of Malawis in that size tank and since Yellow labs are not overly aggressive they would work. Its definitely near impossible to sex them. A group of smaller Mbuna would work with labs, like the Cobue. They may be hard to find though and aren't that common in my area.

Personally I just recommend getting a bigger tank. You'll have alot more choices and will be able to have more fish (and a better variety). The smaller the tank the more problems you will have with aggression. I suggest getting a 50 or 55g tank. You will have so many more options with a tank in that size range than you will with a 29g.

Cobalts and Zebras are a definite no IMO. They get as large as labs, but are far more aggressive and in that size tank, it would be a disaster IMO.

*Kristin*
Post InfoPosted 16-Nov-2006 05:14Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
WiseIves
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MbunaMbunaMbuna
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male usa
Also how did the Sev do with the silver dollars in such a small tank? Are they not full grown yet? I would think that the Silver dollars would go crazy in a 30" tank. I also recomend larger a larger tank for either set up. If it's not in the budget then I would be more comfortable with the mbuna setup with plans to go larger.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher
Post InfoPosted 16-Nov-2006 05:38Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
Garofoli
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Big Fish
Posts: 337
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Registered: 12-Apr-2006
male usa
Well, I didn't know that the Mbunas are agressive. Maybe I'll Scrap that idea. I was kinda looking to have those three breeds in a tank, Not just one. The Severum is very calm and sometimes acts up for a bit when the Silver dollars bother her. They are all full grown. I guess I will just go with convicts... *Sigh*

Chris
Post InfoPosted 16-Nov-2006 23:18Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
Calilasseia
 
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*Ultimate Fish Guru*
Panda Funster
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male uk
Mbunas are feisty fishes. Even the 'peaceful' ones such as Yellow Labs and Cynotilapia will display aggression, particularly if cramped. At the other extreme you have the likes of Melanochromis chipokae, which is a hardcore battle tank of a fish whose propensity to engage in lethal violence is very well documented - this fish can NOT be put into an aquarium smaller than 6 feet long if you want it to live with other fishes, even other reprobates and headbangers (which of course adds to the space needed for the individual fishes). A good size for a Yellow Lab and Cynotilapia setup would be a 55, though of course a bigger setup would give you more options. If ever you find yourself filled with the perverse desire to take on the likes of Melanochromis chipokae and the gorgeous but utterly psychotic Petrotilapia tridentiger, however, I'd leave that choice of aquarium terrorists alone until you could set up an 8ft tank.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002
Post InfoPosted 16-Nov-2006 23:59Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
GirlieGirl8519
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Fish Master
*Malawi Planter*
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Registered: 25-Mar-2005
female usa
I agree Cali...I really don't think labs or Cynotilapia belong in a 29g...or any Mbuna for that matter. My Cynotilapia afra cobue are only about 2 inches and the males are pretty aggressive. I made those suggestions because they might could work...my vote is that they wouldn't though.

The Severum needs a bigger tank than a 29g...if its full grown, its probably stunted because that size tank isn't big enough for it.

*Kristin*
Post InfoPosted 17-Nov-2006 00:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Garofoli
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Big Fish
Posts: 337
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Registered: 12-Apr-2006
male usa
What would be the minimum size tank for A full fledged Mbuna tank? Also do you have any other Ideas?

Chris
Post InfoPosted 17-Nov-2006 05:27Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
WiseIves
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MbunaMbunaMbuna
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I would say 55, but you might be able to get away with one of those 40longs. The basic idea for the Mbuna and most cichlids for that matter, is the length of the tank. So IMO, 4ft would be that standard. It seems that you are really interested in keeping them. Get a 55 and just do it.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher
Post InfoPosted 17-Nov-2006 06:33Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
Garofoli
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Big Fish
Posts: 337
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Votes: 27
Registered: 12-Apr-2006
male usa
I am not really sure, I am in High school so I will probably want to take this to college with me. My family might move so maybe I can convice them to let me get a bigger tank. Any Ideas for the Time being anyone?

Chris
Post InfoPosted 17-Nov-2006 16:12Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
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