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I have just been stocking my tank over the last two weeks and have the following (all juvs largest about 5cms):

4 Yellow Labs (too small to sex)
3 M. lombardoi (poss 1M (largest fish) 2F)
3 P. socolofi (poss 1M 2F

I quite fancy the idea of putting a small school of clown loach in. I have read varying reports that this would be OK but the lfs and they said no but put in 3 or 4 sucking loach. The tank size is 48 US gallons (40 UK gallons). What do you think?

if you get the clown loaches they can look after them selfs as they have been sudgested to me when i fist got my malawi tank they were sudgested by my lfs as they have got them in with malawis in one of there show tanks . But you will have to keep up with your water changes!

Thanks. Do you think the general fish selection is OK? Fed them a little lettuce this morning. I was amazed at the response. They were actually eating out of my fingers.

what do you mean by general fish selection?

The only problem would be the size of the tank
Clown loaches get 10"+ and are recommended for 6'+ tanks(125 gallons)

The malawi mix given above. Do you think it will present any problems?

Moved on request

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

I have a worry about the Ph problems you may encounter as most cichlids prefer a high Ph whilst clowns prefer something more neutral to soft.

Gibson SG you know you want one!!

I'd go with either a bristlenose or two, or a trio of synodontis multipunctatus or petricola.

Stock sounds good, but watch out for those lombardoi!

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde

Have to agree that the difference in pH will only mean that your clowns won't be at their best. The cuckoo cats (syno multi) would be the best and more natural choice. They do tend to stick to their natural nocturnal habits more whereas clowns are more adventurous during daylight but given your choice of tank - native African cats would seem the best choice all round.

You have 3/4 problems.

1. Clown Loaches grow to 12"+ long. They need a 125g tank.
2. African cichlids like hard, alkaline water, while clown loaches like soft, acidic water.
3. Clown loaches like currents, but Lake Malawi has no currents and thus cichlids from it don't like currents.
4. Clown laoches are primarily carnivores whereas Mbuna will suffer if fed meaty foods.

So, if you have the tank like the loaches want, the Mbuna will suffer (shortened lifespan, increased aggression, less spectacular coloration, less chances of spawning), if you have the tank like the cichlids want, the clown loaches will suffer from from aggrssion on the cichlids part, stress-related injury, high chances of diseases like ich (most ich medications are even worse to loaches than the disease itself), improper diet (digestive problems), and all in all it is inhumane to keep clown loaches with African cichlids.

So, not a good idea.

[span class="edited"][Edited by TheGoldenDojo 2004-07-07 17:12][/span]

one main concern i have for your tank are the kenyi(lombardoi). the tank is too small for them. when they mature to spawn, something will die. i recommend trading the kenyi for a couple more yellow labs and socolofi. seriously, you will not regret getting rid of them. this is from my experience. as for the loaches, it is a touchy subject, but i hear a lot of people have good luck with them with cichlids. it will take them years to reach 6' so i dont think size will be a huge issue for the meantime. their diet is different and it would keep me from keeping them in my cichlid tanks. it is up to you on that one.

Thanks folks. BN or cuckoo's it is then. As for the lombardoi, taken to looking at loads of pictures as I am not sure they are what the lfs said. Not got a picture to post but as they are only a couple of inches they will not be in full colour yet(or at least the male won't). My male, even at this stage, has an orange colouration with distinct orange/mauve coloured bands. The dorsal and tail fin is orange with at least 4 distinct egg spots on the anal fin. The females are really borng colours and very pale. At the moment he doesnt seem to be cause much trouble but that is probably age. He does chase the odd fish around the tank from time to time but generally he seems quite peaceful. I did see a picture of another fish the other day that looked remarkably like my male but forgot to record the name and it wasn't a lombardoi.