Vics and malwians?

[RustyNut]

Which Vics would be compatible with malawians??? Nothing too agressive...
Preferably a mid/top water specices....
Doing research for the 210... Really want some Vics in it... but not totally vics....

[SGypsyMermaid]

depends on what malawians you want to keep.

[africancichlidcentral]

I think just about any Vics would work in a 210 gallon with the Malawian peacocks, medium Haps, or mbuna. No big Haps like Champsochromis(Malawi Trout) or your Vics will eventually be a snack. You will probably want to go with only one species of Victorian to prevent crossbreeding, but maybe two if they are very different(Genus, color, body structure, ect.) and plenty of females are provided for both species.
James

[RustyNut]

SGM- I wanted to pick my Vic first and then add fish compatible with them...

[Matt V]

That really depends on what you like. Depends on the malawians you want. Some vics really aren't going to like an mbuna diet too much. some will be just fine with it. and vice versa.

you want peacocks, utaka, or mbuna from lake malawi?

[RustyNut]

Well for now, let's work with... what VIC's would be good candidates to mix with ANY of the Malawians?

I want to look over as many candidates as possible and once I find that VIC I want to keep I am willing to only put compatible Malawians in there with it... So let's work on the VIC first, since that will likely be the first resident...

If you really need to know Peacocks or Mbuna... Im not a utaka kinda guy.... :D

[Matt V]

I think that an A. latifasciata would be happy with most malawians.

Stay away from Astatotilapia nubilus. They're just mean fish. Beautiful, but from what I understand an unmitiagted terror.

Also, if you keep the latifasciata, you could also mix in another Vic species since latifasciata females look so distinct. Like maybe some P. nyererei or something.

Just be warned - I tried a mixed vic/mbuna/tang tank and the problem fish were from Lake Victoria. They got freaked out by the mbuna's eating habits and wouldn't eat as they would hide in fear. Granted, if I was in a tank full of mbuna, I would be afraid of their eating habits as well.

[StructureGuy]

In my 180 gallon tank I have:

Victorian
Astatotilapia latifasciata
Pundamilia sp "rock kribensis"
Haplochromis sp "red tail sheller"

Malawi
Metriaclima sp "msobo"
Cynotilapia afra "cobue"
Pseudotropheus perspicax

They all get along well.

The Pundamilia nyererei and the "Obliquiden-like" (Hap 44/redtail/thickskin) tend to be a bit more aggressive Vics. My Ptyochromis sp "hippo point salmon" were very mild mannered.

So what vics are available to you. that's probably the best place to start. There are lots of compatable malawi's & vics.

Kevin

[Matt V]

that must be a specatular tank. is there a pic on your website?

those species choices are just brilliant.

so i guess that Kevin would be right. vics are the hard ones to find - or at least anything beyond a fish of questionable pedigree. i would find the vic you like and then plan the malawian around it.

[RustyNut]

Well, I can get anything I want.... You guys keep forgetting I was willing to shell out $60 for a WC Electric Yellow "Lions Cove I" so Once I lock onto a species I WILL get what I want... and I am patient... :)

OK- As far as VICs go, do you think I could find reliable fish on aquabid? I am quite willing to go to the "big league" importers if needed. Just would prefer not to... :D

I can say this... I am not looking for BIG fish... I know Big tank = big fish... but I am not into stuff that is like 8"+ I like the littler stuff for some odd reason...

My Tank plan, is to have my DIY BG and one end being Rockwork, the middle being more open maybe some low plants and the other end heavily planted.

Right now the Haplochromis sp. "Ruby Green" is really appealing to me even though is from Kyoga!

[StructureGuy]

Originally posted by Matt V
that must be a specatular tank. is there a pic on your website?
http://www.african-cichlid.com/180_Gallon.htm


Originally posted by RustyNut
OK- As far as VICs go, do you think I could find reliable fish on aquabid? I am quite willing to go to the "big league" importers if needed.

Aquabid is a real buyer beware type of thing. I feel that most of them are fairly reliable but there are some really bad identifications there too. I don’t believe that anyone is “importing” anything from Lake Victoria.


Originally posted by RustyNut
I can say this... I am not looking for BIG fish... I know Big tank = big fish... but I am not into stuff that is like 8"+. I like the littler stuff for some odd reason...

I totally agree!


Originally posted by RustyNut
Right now the Haplochromis sp. "Ruby Green" is really appealing to me even though is from Kyoga!

Good choice. Stays small and is very mild-mannered. Next choice Haplochromis sp “Kenya Gold”? stays small, not too aggressive, is yellow and not red like Ruby Green? And maybe Hap “red tail shellers” (aka blue neon) if you can find them. A little bigger but mild-mannered and blue.

Kevin

[Matt V]

Wow, Kevin! I love those pictures down at the end of the page.

The Hap. sp. "Kenya Gold" are really nice. They made my short list for the post-move tanks.

[SGypsyMermaid]

gorgeous tank, kevin!

[RustyNut]

Yeah that is nice!!!!!!!!

I think I've seen that tank before.... Or something very similar.

OK its looking more and more that the "Ruby Green" has made the list...

There is one more I am looking at... Is it "ok " to keep vic basin fish if they are from different lakes? If SO I will be a very happy camper!

[Matt V]

Depends on what they look like. See how Kevin points out that both males and females in his tank look as different as possible?

Problem is most Victoria basin females are so "blah" that they all kinda look similar.

What else you have in mind?

[blackgloves]

I have a 80 gallon and have a Victorian mixed in with just about any type of Malwian you can think of. I have had no problems. When my Vic was in a 44 gal with two others. (aul Maleri and Bi Color) he pecked out one of the Maleri's eyes.

I was just about to get rid of him. Ive never had a ounce of trouble out of him. I have 7 fish in my 80 gal, no problems.

people say not to mix. Until I have real problems, in this 80 gal, Im keeping him

my .02