Cichlid Confusion

So I rescued a tank from a neighbor that moved out of the country. I have had tanks for the past 30 years but never Cichlids, at least not african. So to the best of my knowledge through my research I have a hap (peacock?) Mbunas, kribs, central american convicts (and a black skirt tetra? Don,t ask me what he is doimg in there, but no one bothers him). I have created many hiding spaces and lots of aggression is spread amongst the fish. The yellow mbuna is very aggressive and chases everyone around. I have had the tank setup for 2 months now and all of these fish came together when I got them. My question is I have another cycled 40 gallon bow front tank that is just sitting should I separate some of these fish? Which fish sbould go together? I've read conflicting things online. Suggestions from knowledgeable cichlid Keepers would be great, thank you.

 

What size tank are they in now? It looks super tiny for those large fish.

Generally African cichlids should only be kept with other African cichlids. Those convicts, the tetra and kribensis should be separated. While things may be alright now it could turn sour really fast, they really shouldn't be kept with the Africans.

A 55gal is the minimum tank size for most mbuna and peacock cichlids. I suggest you get a larger tank for the Africans, while the krib and tetra can be kept together I wouldn't keep a convict with other fish species.

 

IMO, I would only keep one type of fish.

 

IMO, I would only keep one type of fish.

Thanks, maybe I'll move the Mbunas to another tank.

 

What size tank are they in now? It looks super tiny for those large fish.

Generally African cichlids should only be kept with other African cichlids. Those convicts, the tetra and kribensis should be separated. While things may be alright now it could turn sour really fast, they really shouldn't be kept with the Africans.

A 55gal is the minimum tank size for most mbuna and peacock cichlids. I suggest you get a larger tank for the Africans, while the krib and tetra can be kept together I wouldn't keep a convict with other fish species.

They are surely in a small tank (40gal bowfront), that is how I rescued them and thanks for the input. Appreciate your input.

 

My yellow Labs where aggressive, couple of screws loose NUTS. Would try and lip lock with Haps that could swallow them. Even though they are known to be a less aggressive type. I have an adult AhlI and Venustus with fry and they don't bother them, even though they are fish eaters. I've come to realize and of course in my opinion every African is different and you can actually get to know them in a sense and know who they can and can't live together with. Tank size helps but their are some that I've tried in all my tanks from 30 gallon to 110g and never made a diffrence. It's allot of trial and error with Africans. Imo How is that tetra Alive??

 

My yellow Labs where aggressive, couple of screws loose NUTS. Would try and lip lock with Haps that could swallow them. Even though they are known to be a less aggressive type. I have an adult AhlI and Venustus with fry and they don't bother them, even though they are fish eaters. I've come to realize and of course in my opinion every African is different and you can actually get to know them in a sense and know who they can and can't live together with. Tank size helps but their are some that I've tried in all my tanks from 30 gallon to 110g and never made a diffrence. It's allot of trial and error with Africans. Imo How is that tetra Alive??

Thank you for sharing your experience. Great perspective!

 

Thank you for sharing your experience. Great perspective!

Your welcome. First pic looks like an Aulonocara Peacock and last pic top looks like a female peacock. Very nice looking fish those 2 could be together. I've had Mbuna with Haps and Peacocks. Nobody got killed or hurt but it was work keeping it that way. You could try putting the yellow lab and KenyI with them if worse comes to worse.

 

The yellow fish is NOT a Yellow Lab, it is a male KenyI (Metriaclima lombardoi), one of the most aggressive Mbuna out there. There are a total of three KenyI in the last photo, possible female top, subdominant male in the rocks, and the male at the bottom. The two Peacocks both have color, which makes them both male. It's a miracle that the female Krib is still alive; she must have a tight hiding spot that those big Mbuna can't get into. I see the convict, his survival is also surprising.

The three KenyI by themselves would require at least a 75 gallon tank, and more female Kenyi. I would rehome them, if you can.

 

The yellow fish is NOT a Yellow Lab, it is a male KenyI (Metriaclima lombardoi), one of the most aggressive Mbuna out there. There are a total of three KenyI in the last photo, possible female top, subdominant male in the rocks, and the male at the bottom. The two Peacocks both have color, which makes them both male. It's a miracle that the female Krib is still alive; she must have a tight hiding spot that those big Mbuna can't get into. I see the convict, his survival is also surprising.

The three KenyI by themselves would require at least a 75 gallon tank, and more female Kenyi. I would rehome them, if you can.

Oh geez, how did I miss that. I never had make KenyI but my female, she was a BEAST, she'd lip lock with any male. Female that came near her or her territory. so can only imagine the males. My female peacock do throw color on the fins, in certain angles and she looked all grey in the body. I know males can loose color though. Is the 1st pic an Aulonocara? I have a few and some are fiesty also. I'm shocked any of them are alive.
Not to change the subject but would you possibly look at a cichlid I purchased? Think he's a hap

 

Never the less those are some beautiful African cichlids. Since a majority of them are African, I would keep those and try to re-home the rest if you don't mind an aggressive aquarium. Obviously the choice is yours.