Good mix? Bad mix?

Beeman

Members
Based on temperament, will this mix work. Yellow Labs, Rustys, Cynotilapia zebroides 'Yellow Top', Metriaclima pyrsonotos 'Red Top Zebra', Pseudotropheus 'Williamsi North'? The Yellow Labs and Rustys I'm getting from Tony. The rest I need to order as part of the group order with Dave's Fish. Those who knows please way in. Want to call Dave tomorrow to lock in my order. Thanks in advance
 

fischfan13

Banned
Based on temperament, will this mix work. Yellow Labs, Rustys, Cynotilapia zebroides 'Yellow Top', Metriaclima pyrsonotos 'Red Top Zebra', Pseudotropheus 'Williamsi North'? The Yellow Labs and Rustys I'm getting from Tony. The rest I need to order as part of the group order with Dave's Fish. Those who knows please way in. Want to call Dave tomorrow to lock in my order. Thanks in advance

Tank size?
 

Beeman

Members
Sorry again. 5 each. I've read current running threads that the Labs, Rustys, and Cyno. are all pretty neighborly as cichlids go. So I guess it's the Red Top Zebras and Williamsi I need confirmation on. Thanks Rich
 

fischfan13

Banned
I have been keeping and breeding Williamsi for a few years now. In a species only tank they would be fine in a 55g, with all of those others there would be a possible mess.

As a fourth pick in a 55g the Red Top's might be a little too much for Rusty's to handle. The Rusty's along with the Labs and Cyno's are a nice mix, but I would think about a different 4th.
 

Beeman

Members
I have been keeping and breeding Williamsi for a few years now. In a species only tank they would be fine in a 55g, with all of those others there would be a possible mess.

As a fourth pick in a 55g the Red Top's might be a little too much for Rusty's to handle. The Rusty's along with the Labs and Cyno's are a nice mix, but I would think about a different 4th.

Can you give me a few possible replacements? This being my first venture into the Africans.
 

fischfan13

Banned
Petricola or Lucipinnis would be great.
Also you can try a small group of Aulonocara (Non-Jakes) or a group of a smaller Hap.
 

rich_one

Members
Sorry again. 5 each. I've read current running threads that the Labs, Rustys, and Cyno. are all pretty neighborly as cichlids go. So I guess it's the Red Top Zebras and Williamsi I need confirmation on. Thanks Rich
While I'd love to take credit for helping you, you should actually be thanking Bill. I think the confusion comes from him having one of my posts in his sig... quite the honor, Bill being the guy he is.

Good luck with your setup!

-Rich
 

DiscusnAfricans

Past President
Can you give me a few possible replacements? This being my first venture into the Africans.

Petricola or Lucipinnis would be great.
Also you can try a small group of Aulonocara (Non-Jakes) or a group of a smaller Hap.

What about pseudotropheus elegans 'Ngara' White-tail acei? They don't get too big or feisty and should mix fine with the others.

As Bill mentioned a mid sized peacock or hap could work. Any of the stuartgranti, maybe baenschi or koningsi. Otopharynx or Placidochromis would be fine for a hap group. Dave has several types of each to choose from in the size range as well.
 

Wblaze

Members
I have a group of 7 seven white tail acei I got from Tony that I have available. Going to make the move to williamsi instead. They are juvis but eating like pigs
 

Beeman

Members
Ok, so then how about...

6 Yellow Labs
6 Rusties
4 or 5 Cynotilapia
5 or 6 Syno Petricola or Lucipinnis
3 or 4 Otopharynx lithobates

Or,
4 Rusties
6 Yellow Labs
3 Lab Hongi Red Top
7 Pseud White-tail Acei
5 Cyno Yellow Top
3 Syno
Remember(the bottom line really), ALL juvies, AND, this will be a seasonal tank.It all comes down in the fall!
 

fischfan13

Banned
Or,
4 Rusties
6 Yellow Labs
3 Lab Hongi Red Top
7 Pseud White-tail Acei
5 Cyno Yellow Top
3 Syno
Remember(the bottom line really), ALL juvies, AND, this will be a seasonal tank.It all comes down in the fall!

Wouldn't mix two Labidochromis, you are looking for trouble.
Why only four Rusties?
Acei? Seriously? Ok, so not only am I not a fan of most Acei but not you are talking about a much bigger Malawi than the Dwarf Mbuna you started out with.
Three Synos? Synodontis need larger groups.

As for being seasonal...explain.
Do you mean you will put this tank up in May and then take it down and sell the fish in September?
 

Beeman

Members
Wouldn't mix two Labidochromis, you are looking for trouble.
Why only four Rusties?
Acei? Seriously? Ok, so not only am I not a fan of most Acei but not you are talking about a much bigger Malawi than the Dwarf Mbuna you started out with.
Three Synos? Synodontis need larger groups.

As for being seasonal...explain.
Do you mean you will put this tank up in May and then take it down and sell the fish in September?

So much to learn, so little time!:wacko:
No real reason for only 4 Rusties, just pulled it out of nowhere. This project started out based around a group of yellow labs. As I have NO experience with Africans, much less Mbuna, I didn't know that there is a dwarf group:blush:. I'm just looking for a flashy colorful group, thats all.
As for seasonal, here's the low-down. I just set up a 90g SA tank in the house,leaving me no room inside for another sizable tank. BUT, I have a huge shop out back, too big to heat in the winter. I'm sitting on an old 55g that I thought I'd set up out there, and see how it goes. I've had it, and a 20 going out there for the past month, with Aqueon heaters that have kept the temps up despite a few mornings in the low 30's. My choice is to set it up and have some fun with African cichlids, or not!! There is no in-between. So yes, I'd be selling the lot when it gets too cold to heat, or move tem into the bathtub:D
 

Wblaze

Members
Acei are pretty cool. If you are not going to breed then there is not too much to work about with two labs, but I am sure I will get crap for that opinion
 
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