Anyone with experience mixing many different species of African cichlids?

So I am starting a community African Cichlid tank. So far I have 18 assorted African cichlids. I purchased two very small, about 1 inch long, Auratus species today. Wondering if this was a mistake. Now reading about how aggressive they can be. Tank is 180 gallons with lots of rocks and hiding places. Eight of my fish were acquired a week ago and are between 3” and 4” long, the ten new ones are only about 1” long. I know not a good idea to mix small juveniles with older ones but trying to get numbers up as quick as possible so less likely to fight but limited by availability in my area and by not being able to add them all at once because it would be too much bioload in a newly cycled tank. Anyone with experience mixing many different species of African cichlids? Not interested in breeding, just trying to have a fully stocked tank where all fish get along harmoniously. If I only have 1 or 2 of each species and mix more aggressive with less aggressive species am I going to have a problem?

 

Maybe it would be more helpful to tell you what I know I have now:

1 x Red top African cichlid 3”
2 x Venustus (giraffe cichlid?) 1”
1 x Kribenisi 1”
1 x Bumble Bee 1”
2 x Auratus (Malawi golden) 1”
2 - Snow White soco 1”
3-4 x Yellow Lab 2-3”
2 x Haplochromis obliquidens 1”
1 x Sunshine Peacock 1”
Plus one that is all orange (2.5”) and a few that I’m not sure of, I’ll try to get a pic of them but they are 3-4” long.

 

Auratus are very territorial, but so are Bumblebees & Socolofi. You might consider adding a male Red Zebra, male Kenyi, male Zebra Chilumba, any variety of male Afra. Rusties are relatively peaceful, but durable. Your tank is big enough for two or three male Rusties.
I currently keep the above listed in a mixed African community. I tried to stock a male only tank, but a few females ended up in the group. Cichlids in general get even more territorial when in breeding mode. Unless you are wanting to deal with fry, all male cichlids is the way to go.

 

Maybe it would be more helpful to tell you what I know I have now:

1 x Red top African cichlid 3”
2 x Venustus (giraffe cichlid?) 1”
1 x Kribenisi 1”
1 x Bumble Bee 1”
2 x Auratus (Malawi golden) 1”
2 - Snow White soco 1”
3-4 x Yellow Lab 2-3”
2 x Haplochromis obliquidens 1”
1 x Sunshine Peacock 1”
Plus one that is all orange (2.5”) and a few that I’m not sure of, I’ll try to get a pic of them but they are 3-4” long.

Ok, that's quite a fish soup.

I'd rehome the Venustus (they grow up to double the size of most of the others and definitely too big for that tank size), the Kribensis (they are west african, totally different biotope, can end up a meal for the venustus), the Haplochromis (need quite meaty diet, will definitely be beat up) and the peacock (ditto as with Haplochromis).

The others are all Mbuna and have similar needs when it comes to diet: They are largely vegetarians and don't do well with protein- and fat-rich diets the other species would prefer. No joke: Bloodworms can kill those. That alone would be a reason to keep them seperate from the non-Mbuna.

The all orange is likely a Red Zebra (Maylandia estherae). The size differences would definitely worry me. With Malawi cichlids it's best to get similar sizes.

 

Ok, that's quite a fish soup.

I'd rehome the Venustus (they grow up to double the size of most of the others and definitely too big for that tank size), the Kribensis (they are west african, totally different biotope, can end up a meal for the venustus), the Haplochromis (need quite meaty diet, will definitely be beat up) and the peacock (ditto as with Haplochromis).

The others are all Mbuna and have similar needs when it comes to diet: They are largely vegetarians and don't do well with protein- and fat-rich diets the other species would prefer. No joke: Bloodworms can kill those. That alone would be a reason to keep them seperate from the non-Mbuna.

The all orange is likely a Red Zebra (Maylandia estherae). The size differences would definitely worry me. With Malawi cichlids it's best to get similar sizes.

I am currently in the process of cycling a small 10 gal tank to house the little ones until they get a bit bigger. But so far everyone is getting along well and they all seem so happy in the big tank, Seems a shame to cram them in a 10 gallon when right now they have 180 LOL. Am I being naïve to think they could all continue to get along? Or is it inevitable that they will turn on each other? Esp the Bumblebee, Venustus and Auratus? Will be adding new fish weekly and the new ones will likely all be between 2-3” long so at least double the size of 9 out of the 18 that I currently have.

 

I am currently in the process of cycling a small 10 gal tank to house the little ones until they get a bit bigger. But so far everyone is getting along well and they all seem so happy in the big tank, Seems a shame to cram them in a 10 gallon when right now they have 180 LOL. Am I being naïve to think they could all continue to get along? Or is it inevitable that they will turn on each other? Esp the Bumblebee, Venustus and Auratus? Will be adding new fish weekly and the new ones will likely all be between 2-3” long so at least double the size of 9 out of the 18 that I currently have.

It is, sadly, inevitable, they will grow bigger fast and they will become more aggressive towards each other. Right now you have really young fish, all below 5cm are basically fry. The bigger the size differences the bigger the chance the larger fish will not only chase or attack, but also try to EAT the smaller ones. Especially the venustus which are fish eaters in the wild.

I would - for the moment - stop getting new fish and grow the ones you have out and observe how they behave. In a 180 you will be able to maintain only maybe 15 fully grown Malawis anyways. Mixing Peacocks, Haps and Mbuna is a bad idea in my opinion. I wouldn't do it, sort them and return/rehome several of the species you have. It would be best for the fish.