Relatively peaceful malawi advice

[dono]

I have a 55g tank that I just finished cycling with 9 rasboras and a swordtail + cycle. I'm using crushed coral and lots of lace rock which has the ph at about 8.2. My filter is an ehime (sp?). I'm not sure about the model number but it is the one right below the ehime pro.

Now to the stocking questions. I was hoping to put malawi fish in the tank, but I want it to be relatively peaceful. I've looked through the descriptions at cichlidrecipe.com, and it seems like the labidochromis species would work. I was thinking 4 electric yellow and 4 mbamba yellows. Would these fish get along with minimal violence? Also, is it possible to keep the rasboras in the tank, or would the cichlids eventually go after them?

I'm open to other suggestions as well.

Thanks.

[tom]

Hi and welcome, dono

I've never kept the Lab. sp. "mbamba yellow top" (?), but I have experience with other species within the genus, and they can vary in temperament (as can individual fish, for that matter....). With the exception of two or three errant males, the "electric yellows" I've found docile enough: They're frequently recommended here as excellent Mbuna for beginning Rift Lake cichlid keepers.

On keeping two or more species of a genus together: Some cichlidkeepers here don't advise this; they cite an increased probability of hybridization as the primary reason.

I've not kept rasboras with cichlids, but apart from checking combatibility with Mbuna on an aggression level, I think it'd be a good idea to double-check the same at the water parameter level.

I just replied to a post similar to yours and, for what it's worth, here's the thread:

http://cichlidforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4239

[SGypsyMermaid]

imho, you should set up a 5 or 10 gallon planted tank for the rasboras.