African Cichlid

Hi,

So I am extremely new to this and I am really just trying to learn as much as I can before absolutely diving in and getting a big aquarium and really buckling this down as my hobby because so far I am enjoying it a lot. I have 2 questions. First, what makes some species able to be in community with certain fish but not others. For example, because I wish I could have both, why can't African Cichlids be in the same tank as a Platy? What makes the Cichlid specifically a "no" on the compatibility chart toward the Platy and not a "Cautious"? My second question was that I can't seem to learn a lot about Mbuna? I see them mentioned often, are they a specific African Cichlid? It's confusing me a lot.

Thanks
Marco

 

HI and welcome!

This might help to answer some of your questions, plus it's just an interesting read!

Time to up your social skills in the aquarium!

 

Awesome! Thanks

 

Mbuna are the rock dwelling cichlids of lake Malawi, they are mean and fast, so if a fish is mellow or slow, it's food! They are a great fish to keep because they're colorful and very active. If you have the right set up they're easy to keep alive. The right set up is a 55 gallon tank or larger, lots of fish, lots of rocks and lots of filters. And you have to be willing to do a water change once a week. The pictures are a 360 gallon tank.

 

Mbuna are the rock dwelling cichlids of lake Malawi, they are mean and fast, so if a fish is mellow or slow, it's food! They are a great fish to keep because they're colorful and very active. If you have the right set up they're easy to keep alive. The right set up is a 55 gallon tank or larger, lots of fish, lots of rocks and lots of filters. And you have to be willing to do a water change once a week. The pictures are a 360 gallon tank. View attachment 321137 View attachment 321138 View attachment 321139 View attachment 321141

Wow thanks a ton!