Mixed African cichlid tank question.

HI guys, I'm curious to understand the reasons as to why mixing African cichlid species (mbuna & peacock etc) is frowned upon on here?
I have a heavily stocked, mixed African cichlid display male only tank with no health issues whatsoever either than the typical mild territorial aggression which is normal to cichlids.
I'm aware of the diet issue which is easily taken care of with a healthy mixed diet and a one day no-feed per week.
So is replicating a natural rock environment for mbunas which is almost useless when they're fully grown.
African cichlids in a mixed display tank will also adjust to a stable Ph which isn't as crucial as when breeding them.
Aggression is also very minimal in a mixed male only African display tank as specific species tend to only fight each other. Having one of each, keeping their metabolism low and completely stocking the tank helps lower aggression.
So in my most honesty opinion based on my experience, with water quality & parameter in check I can't see how having a mixed African cichlid display would be an issue.
This heavily stocked & mixed African cichlid specie setup is fairly popular here in Australia so I would like to hear your thoughts. Thanks guys.

 

I don't understand your thoughts on the diet thing?

I understand that you provide a mixed diet but how can you ensure that only the Mbuna are getting veggies and only the peacocks/haps are getting the protein filled food. Like when you drop your flake or pellet food in obviously all of the cichlids are going to go after it and eat it which could lead to problems with bloat etc? I just think it isn't worth the risk.

Also, are all of your fish adults? If not then there is no way of telling what is going to happen and which fish will survive in the future? I have seen many successful mixed tanks that are going so well with no casualties and then BOOM turn into destruction and death. In my opinion if you are willing to risk it then go for it but knowing the prices of cichlids in Australia (I live here) I wouldn't personally risk it

 

I'm not going to say much, but why do you say that rockwork is usless once there full grown? All my mbuna never get to old for there rockwork they love hiding in night in them running into them whenever they don't feel safe. About diet I agree with mike. Also on the fact that they fish I buy aren't cheap I want to make sure my fish won't die/get killed. What's the point of buying this nice male $30 peacock and not be sure if he is going to survive?

I seen your tank congrats you one of the lucky ones that made a tank work, but doesn't mean everyone that's tries will make it work. Also you tank is huge that works in your advantage.

Why I don't like saying to mic Africans because tons of people read this forum and I don't want people mixing Africans because like I said not everyone is lucky.

 

Mixing African Cichlids

@, I agree with your total assessment on your mix of Africans.and their diets. I also have a 95% male tank...(was 100% I thought... until I saw little Yellow Labs swimming around!) I have a few of the less aggressive Mbunas mixed with Peacocks & Haps and have had ZERO issues..except for one larger Peacock that I put into the tank in the beginning. He got beat up pretty bad and eventually died. What killed him was a smaller Peacock.

As far as diet, if you feed a general all around diet of a quality food that has vegetable matter in it, feed them Veggies of some sort, such as cucumber, Zucchini, and Spirulina (flakes). When did we start separating our food so that the Mbunas got this food and the others got this food. That's crazy! If you are feeding your fish once or twice a day..with a fasting day...those fish would be getting more food than they would in the wild. Now..if all they got was high concentrations of protein, then the Mbunas might have issues...but most foods have a combination and with you supplementing the diet with vegetable matter..I see no problems.

I know that there are those that might think that ALL fish stores are giving out bad info and are uneducated....but at 2 specialty stores here in Tampa Bay, they have several display tanks that have been set up for years that house larger Mbunas and Peacocks without issue. I purchased 4 Yellow labs that were born in that tank! They also say that Mbunas and Peacocks can be mixed. Now...that doesn't mean to buy the baddest and nastiest Mbuna and stick him in the tank with a pushover Peacock..but that is where common sense takes over.

Just because you read something on the internet..does NOT make it true! Everyone has an opinion..(even me)...but I tend to lean more towards in-depth discussions with professionals that have had real time experience in breeding and raising the species. There is some great info available on this forum that will help anyone discover the world of fishkeeping..but this IS just a forum. A forum is designed for discussion. Differing opinions makes a forum thrive. Keep in mind...differing opinions in NOT the same as "Bad info!" @LeoDiaz and I go back and forth on African Cichlids..but I still respect his opinion :;b ... and he also maintains a beautiful tank. One day...I'll get him to try a Peacock with his Mbunas...but I don't think it'll be anytime soon! Maybe I'll send him a surprise birthday gift!!!!! Who can resist a nice male Sunshine Peacock?


My only issue at this point is to get a bigger tank for my Africans. I just went down this Sunday and looked at a 150 and a 180g tank. Within the next 30 days, I will have a new home for my little beasts. I'm really getting pumped up about it!!!!!

 

Mixing African Cichlids

I have tried peacocks with Mbunas before lost $60 of peacocks(nice breeding group and they weren't even the expensive kind) but you know send me that peacock I'll start another tank for it

I have a fish store by me with 2 nice like 200-300g bowfronts for there African cichlid display tanks one is a peacock, MalawI hap tank and the other is a stunning single species tropheus tank. Now they have one more tank and that's the mixed tank of Africans frontosa, peacocks, mbunas but here the kicker idk how many exact gallon it is about 1200g or more now that's the secret to mix Africans and the tank is not even overstocked at all I would say is really understocked they proably have less then 20fish.

PS. Go for the 180...

 

PS. Go for the 180...

THAT is what I want...but DANG on it,,it's just sooooo expensive. I should get a drilled tank...but that accelerates the price considerably. Then...I have to buy a stand...lights...sump...power heads...blah..blah..blah. It never ends!! Why can't they just stay small!

 

THAT is what I want...but DANG on it,,it's just sooooo expensive. I should get a drilled tank...but that accelerates the price considerably. Then...I have to buy a stand...lights...sump...power heads...blah..blah..blah. It never ends!! Why can't they just stay small!

But if they stayed small they wouldn't be as fun,lol.

 

chrt396's concern and the reply have been moved here