Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids?

[cheater5]

Wanting to know if anyone can answer the following questions for me:

1. Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids? If so, which ones would you recommend and how many?

2. What type of light should I use? Would like to try to have plants in the tank. Have any ideas on plants?

3. What type of base should I use, like sand or gravel?

The size of the tank that my husband and I are wanting to set up is a 75 gallon. Does anyone have any ideas on what type of filters to use and do we need a heater for the tank?

I have really enjoyed looking over all of the post. I've stayed up late until 12:00 and I'm having a hard time sleeping because I have so many questions and need lots of input. I really would like some more info before I end up buying the tank and harming any little cute fish. Thanks for the help, Angela Adams

[sourapple]

Re: Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids?

1. the african rift lake cichlids have no problem mixing since they re water conditions are nearly identical. it should be 1 fish or less per gallon. and if you go more than that. you ll need extra filters. since theres so many cichlids, what you pick depends on what you re tank is gonna be like. you can have top mid and lower dwellers that look pretty good if you have 50g+ tank. yellow labs have been crowd pleasers. brichardi and their long fins look nice also. what kind you have also depends on your budget. the compressorcips, cyps/paracyps, and frontosas are good mid/top dwelling tangs but will make a dent in your wallet if you buy WC or even tank bred. if you re looking to save money. buy here or wait for the HAS auction next month.

2. for rift tanks. they mostly prefer just rocks and sand but mine dont bother the plants in the 90g at work. you d have to check with the others on that. not really a plant person( too much hassle though it looks amazing if you can aqua scape well)

3. Sand looks better IMO with the rift lake varieties. but really up to you. your tank after all.

[sourapple]

Re: Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids?

whatever fish you decide upon. make sure you check their profile online because some cichlids are super agressive towards other species. dont want your fish to die a few days after you put them in . especially with the mbunas ya jsut never know. could put a big oscar in to scar them LOL.  

[cichlid1409]

Re: Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids?

yes you will need a heater needs to stay around 78-80 F  around 150-200 watts depending on the fluctuation of temp in your house.
Filtration, doesn't matter too much which way you go but try to make sure it has 3 stage filtration biological/chemical/physical  for example hang on bio wheel filter has filter pads with carbon and breeding ground for bacteria or canister filters and overflow systems also function on the same principle.
i have kept plants in the past, and someone help me out here, but i think your light bulbs should be 6700K and around 3+ watts per gallon.

good luck and welcome to the box

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids?

Wanting to know if anyone can answer the following questions for me:

1. Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids? If so, which ones would you recommend and how many?   You can but you might run into problems. Malawian cichlids tend to be a bit more aggressive then most Tanganyikans. You also run into the problem with dietary needs since most malawians have been in the trade for a great length of time their diets have adapted to that of captivity. Qty would be dependent on what size tank, what type of cichlids, what filtration you plan to run and how much maintenane you want to do.

2. What type of light should I use? Would like to try to have plants in the tank. Have any ideas on plants? Plants require a good amount of lighting, co2 and nutrients to flourish... but in a heavily stocked tank the last two will be enough to provide for the least demanding of plants but lighting is still an issue, obviously the std. fluorescent lighting that comes with tanks is not enough to keep them healthy. I would stick to your easier low light/low requirement plants like anubias, ferns, moss and some vals. As for what lighting it would depend on what you like... compact fluorescents, T5HO, Halides. The Kelvin or K- rating bulb is dependent on you but most cichlids would look best under something 10,000k or bluer... plant on the other hand do best with anything from 5500k-10,000k a mix of the two would yield the best results. As for how much lighting.... there is a lame rule of thumb or guide that I hate to suggest but it's the Watts Per Gallon rule which is low light of 1-2wpg to high light 3-4+ wpg for the plants I suggested the lower end will suffice.

3. What type of base should I use, like sand or gravel? Most/some of the cichlids will be mouthbrooders and with them you don't want coarse or sharp substrate so sand would be the first pick. I also like it better cause it does not trap detritus like some of the more coarse substrates. Then again you mentioned plants so you need to decide what you want or value more... plant health or the cichlids.

The size of the tank that my husband and I are wanting to set up is a 75 gallon. Does anyone have any ideas on what type of filters to use and do we need a heater for the tank? In the 75 you will be limited to what cichlids you can keep an how many of them but the right combination will make for a rewarding display. For filtration I highly recommend looking into a wet/dry filter since that will produce the most oxygen and provide the largest beneficial bacteria support. That coupled with a good canister should leave you with an endless list of options for fish. If not then I would suggest two strong canisters on the minimum... something like 2x 2217's would be the minimal I put on a 75g. I'm not a real advocate of using chemical filtration (i.e. carbon, ammo chips, etc.) since I think good husbandry will cover this. I tend to prefer strictly bio filtration only which is something that will establish on it's own. Mechanical filtration is minimal with me as well.

I have really enjoyed looking over all of the post. I've stayed up late until 12:00 and I'm having a hard time sleeping because I have so many questions and need lots of input. I really would like some more info before I end up buying the tank and harming any little cute fish. Thanks for the help, Angela Adams I think the reason for a lot us to have sleepless nights is due to our wet pets.


Welcome to the Box and whatever questions you have don't hesitate to ask!

[cichlid1409]

Re: Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids?

EK you always gotta out do everyone else  :evil:

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids?

Two things I enjoy most.... Tanganyikans and Planted tanks...  

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids?

EK you always gotta out do everyone else  :evil:

..... or is it everyone not doing enough?

[Nickintex]

Re: Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids?

EK you always gotta out do everyone else  :evil:

Welcome to EK's world. You see with what I have to put up with! :P

[Zulaab]

Re: Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids?

For a 75g tank -- get your self a wet/dry if you want to keep Malawian cichlids..
They will ENJOY the oxygenation that they require.
My 75g had 25 Malawi with a Proclear 75 + Mag 5 pump, and a Oddysea EX350 with sponge filter attached for the extra circulation.
I truly believe a 75 and above should be running on a wet/dry specially when you have African's in the tank because they need the high O2.

[myjohnson]

Re: Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids?

mix them, mix them, mix them!

[Tiapan]

Re: Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids?

i too keep them both sometimes. i even mix other odds and ends in with them to great success.

[newb]

Re: Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids?

I currently have malawi cichlids. If get the Tanganyikans how would yall suggest i feed them. dont they need different foods?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids?

Depends on which of them you plan on getting...

[newb]

Re: Can you mix Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids?

i like the tropheus brichardi. is this a possible mix?