It really irks me.
I have been giving so many people advice who didn't listen to me only to have huge problems with their fish. I am tired of it. I don't give advice to make myself feel important. I have kept around 30 species and studied & learned a lot. We need to know as much as possible if we want our fish breeder/ store to be a success for the future.
Some fish keepers they THINK they know stuff about Lake Malawi African cichlids and try to help but only give the wrong info or advice.
Just b/c you've kept a few species doesn't mean you've even touched on the other types. You should not be helping anyone out unless you've kept at least 10-20 species of LM cichlids. Each of them are different and won't be happy with whomever YOU like or think is pretty.
For example: people who have kept a few species of Lake Malawi African cichlids for a few months should NOT be giving anyone advice on what they have been keeping or should be keeping.
Please research all fish before buying:
1. African cichlids types are not all the same aggression wise.
2. 1" per gallon rule doesn't apply here!! They need a large tank 40g+...I recommend only 2 species of 6-7 each kind with one or two males depending on how they get along in a 40g. The larger the tank the better.
3. You cannot have a mixed tank unless it's an all male tank. It's not fair to the single males who want to breed. They usually get pretty violent.
4. African cichlids are not a beginners fish.
5. Never add just 1 fish to the tank...it will be attacked, 3-5 fish at once works.
6. Lake Malawi cichlids are much more aggressive than other types of African cichlids so Tanganyika and Victoria cichlids do best with their own lake types.
7. Not all species breed easily or are comfortable enough to breed around other species.
8. Over crowding without extra filtration is not a good thing.
9. LM cichlids do need more fish in a tank to lower the aggression or spread it out but 50 cichlids in 55g will stunt your fish.
10. Feeding them 3-4 times a day keeps them from getting cranky and fighting. I have NEVER seen fish like theses guys who love their food and eat is so fast.
11. Two of each species type should NOT be kept in the same tank. For example two zebra types are Metriaclima/maylandia species and will fight.
If I can think of other things I have learned on my own and thru others who have been into LM cichlids for years & years...I will keep adding tips.
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