Alexxxis

African Cichlids-

electric yellow
cobalt blue
Tropheus duboisi
vampire pleco

I would like to know if these fish will do alright in the same tank and if anyone has any advice/additional comments that would be great!

I have a 65 gallon long with many good-sized natural/volcanic cave-like rocks and fine white sand lining the bottom of the tank. I have a very powerful fluval 304 filter and good airation in the tank (bubbles flow continuously from airaters placed underneath sand)
I also heard it is good to overcrowd the tank when it comes to mbuna rock fish so that the fish don't become too dominate/territorial so I was thinking 10 yellow labs, 10 cobalts, 10 Tropheus duboisi, and 1 vampire pleco would be a fine setup. advice?

I appreciate your help =]

Slug

I'd leave out the Tropheus duboisi. They come from a different lake and IMO take a whole different type of care. Not to mention a breeding colony of Tropheus need a lot of room (more then the 65gal with other fish) and can get nasty. 10 Tropheus would be the limit for a 65gal by themselves. I'd just skip them and stick to Mbuna. Not sure on the pleco, the others...for sure go for it.

I'd say about 25-30 Mbuna would be your limit for fish in this tank. (Not including any bottom feeders and what not). 25-30 top dwelling rock fish.

Allie

Tropheus duboisi shouldn't be kept with Malawi cichlids they are better in a species only tank. They are also much aggressive than the labs & cobalt. A Vampire pleco has different water requirements than Malawi cichlids. A higher PH may hinder growth.
10 yellow labs, 10 cobalt, 1 male to 2-4 females. 30 fish is good. Another species which is compatible is the acei who school and it looks awesome. We had this exact combo and just changed up our 120g from it. They get along great.
Here are a few more species which could go with them: any type of Cynotilapia afra, a rusty, and some type of peacock or a hap who only get 6".
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