FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I remember a long time ago, I wanted to stock a 30 gallon mumbuna tank. Anyway, since I couldn't have a nice community in a 30 gallon, I've thought it over, and now I'm getting a 180 gallon! It's part of my insane DIY summer project that will begin as soon as school is out. Anyway, I was wondering what to stock a 5'x3'x2' tank with. I personally love mawali eye biters and they sell babies at my LFS super cheap. I was wondering if I could keep some tough mumbunas(like melenchromis(sp.) with the eye-biter, or would they be lunch? I know the biters get up to 9", but I don't think many of the mawalis are shrimps either. I was also looking at syndontis erptus catfish.

if you're set on getting that malawi eye-biter, you might wanna stay away from mbuna all together. Instead, you should look into other Malawi Haplochromines and Malawi Peacock cichlids. these two groups of fish come in an array of colors, grow to be similar sizes and will have the same care and feeding requirements as the malawi eye-biter.

if you REALLY wanted to get into mbuna, i don't think it's going to be the end of the world. It's just that the Malawi eyebiter requires a higher protein diet than any mbuna can ever imagine.

as far as the bottom dwellers, any species of synodontis catfish would work great.

let us know what you decide upon.

You scared me at first, shame on you!
So will the eyebiter eat the mumbuna? What If I go absolutely insaine with rockwork? I don't think I'd have trouble feeding two different kinds of food would I? Plus I could feed them on opposite corners to resolve problems.
So would it work out?

The malawi eye biter, being a carnivore requires a high protein diet (bloodworms etc).

Most mbuna's are herbivores and require a low protein diet (veggies etc).

The reason why it's difficult to keep both is that mbuna's cannot eat too much protein food or they will get bloat and that usually results in the fishes death.

Hopefully I don't sound confusing.:%)

Also I know when I tried to special feed one of mine, it was impossible!!! They are insane at feeding times, and swim wherever there is food...Sorry for destroying your dreams...heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

oh crackerjack