If you've been hunting for lake malawi cichlids for sale , you probably already know how incredibly addictive this particular hobby can become. There is simply something about the vibrant, almost neon colors of these types of fish which makes a standard freshwater container look a bit dull by evaluation. They're known as the "poor man's reef fish" because you get that stunning deep sea aesthetic without the huge headache of combining salt or sustaining complex reef equipment. But before you decide to go clicking "add to cart" on every pretty fish you observe, there are a few things we ought to probably talk about to make sure your brand-new tank mates in fact survive and prosper.
Why Everyone Loves These African-american Beauties
It's not just the colors, though let's be honest, the colors are the main draw. Lake Malawi houses hundreds of species, and each one has the own weird small personality. Some are total glass-bangers that will will follow your own finger around, while some are a bit even more shy until it's feeding time.
When a person start looking in lake malawi cichlids for sale , you'll notice they generally fall into 3 big categories: Mbuna, Peacocks, and Haps. Mixing them could be a bit of a balancing act, like trying to handle a seating graph at a wedding ceremony where half the guests don't such as one another. Understanding these types of groups is the first step in order to having a peaceful (or at least manageable) aquarium.
The Grumpy Rock-Dwellers: Mbuna
Mbuna (pronounced boo-nah) literally means "rockfish" within the local Tonga language of Malawi. These guys are usually the most common ones you'll see within local pet stores. They're usually smaller, very active, and—not to sugarcoat it—kind of jerks. These people live in the particular rocky areas associated with the lake and are fiercely territorial.
In the event that you're buying Mbuna, you're looking at fish like the famous Yellow Lab or the bright blue Demasoni. The trick with these guys will be to give all of them lots associated with rocks. I'm talking about a literal wall of stones with lots of splits and crevices. They love to dart in and out of holes, plus it gives the less dominant fish a location to conceal when the "boss" of the tank starts feeling irritable.
The Showstoppers: Peacock Cichlids
Peacocks, or Aulonocara , are where the real "wow" aspect comes in. Whilst Mbuna can become colorful, Peacocks consider it to another degree with metallic blues, bright oranges, and deep reds. They're generally a bit more peaceful than Mbuna, yet that's a family member term in the cichlid world.
One thing in order to keep in thoughts when browsing lake malawi cichlids for sale will be that female Peacocks are usually well, plain. They're mainly silver or dark brown. If you would like a tank that will glows, you're mainly looking for men. Just be careful about putting as well many different Peacock species together in the event that you plan on breeding them, mainly because they'll crossbreed such as crazy and you'll end up along with "mutts" that are usually hard to rehome.
The Large Guys: Haps
Haps (short for Haplochromis ) are the open-water predators of the lake. These fish generally get bigger compared to Mbuna or Peacocks and so they love to swim. If you've got a huge tank—think 75 to a hundred and twenty-five gallons or more—Haps are an amazing choice. Species like the Electric Blue Ali or the Malawi Blue Dolphin are favorites for a reason. They have a certain elegance to them that the frantic Mbuna just don't have.
Setting the Stage Just before You Buy
You can't simply toss these seafood into a regular setup and expect them to be happy. Lake Malawi provides very specific water chemistry. It's hard, it's alkaline, and it's very stable.
Prior to you start searching for lake malawi cichlids for sale , make sure your own water is prepared. You're aiming for a pH among 7. 8 and 8. 6. When your tap drinking water is soft, you might need to utilize some crushed coral reefs in your filter or add specific salts to obtain that hardness upward. They also produce a lot of waste materials (they're messy eaters), so over-filtration is usually your closest friend. If your filter will be rated for a 55-gallon tank, you may actually want in order to go up a size or add a second one.
The "Overstocking" Secret
This noises counterintuitive to all you learn in fish-keeping, but with Lake Malawi cichlids, the bit of "controlled" overstocking is in fact a positive thing. In a sparsely populated container, a dominant man will pick out a single victim and harass them until they can't carry it any more. By having more fish in the tank, the aggression gets spread out. No single fish gets singled out there for too lengthy because the bully constantly gets distracted by someone otherwise swimming by.
Of training course, this only functions if you maintain your water adjustments. More fish indicates more poop, and more poop means even more nitrates. You've have got to be diligent.
What to Appear for When Purchasing Online vs. In-Store
Finding lake malawi cichlids for sale provides never been simpler, but you've have got to be a bit picky.
If you're fortunate enough to have a great local fish shop, take a long look at the tanks. Are the seafood active? Are their fins intact, or even do they look like they've been through a paper shredder? A little bit of fin nipping is normal for cichlids, but look for signs of disease like whitened spots (Ich) or sunken bellies.
When buying online, which is often the only way to obtain specific rare types, examine the reviews. Shipping fish is nerve-racking for them. The reputable seller will use oxygen, temperature or cold packs depending on the season, and sturdy insulated boxes. Don't be too surprised by the delivery prices—it's expensive to fly live animals across the nation overnight, but it's worth it to ensure they arrive in existence and kicking.
Feeding for Color and Health
Once you've discovered your lake malawi cichlids for sale and got them settled within, the goal is to keep those colours popping. Diet will be huge here.
Mbuna are mainly herbivores in the wild, scraping algae off rocks. In case you feed all of them too much high-protein meaty food, they could get "Malawi Bloat, " which will be often fatal. Stick to high-quality spirulina flakes or pellets. Peacocks and Haps can handle a little more protein, but also then, a balanced cichlid pellet is definitely usually the safest bet.
I've found that feeding small amounts two times a day works better than one large dump of meals. It keeps all of them occupied and reduces the amount of waste that finishes up rotting at the bottom of the tank.
Making the Final Move
It's really easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices. You'll see the brilliant blue seafood and want it, after that see a shiny orange one and want that as well. My best tips? Do a little bit of homework within the specific species you like just before pulling the result in.
Are usually you looking for a high-energy container with lots of action? Proceed for Mbuna. Want a more majestic, colorful display? Peacocks and Haps are usually your best bet.
Looking for lake malawi cichlids for sale is the start of a pretty awesome journey. These types of fish have so much more personality than your typical goldfish or neon tetra. They'll acknowledge you when a person walk into the space, they'll fight more than their favorite caverns, and they also might also reward you with some babies in case you keep your water clean.
Just take some time, get your rocks in place, and appreciate the process. There's nothing quite like seated after the long day and watching an item of Lake Malawi right in your living area. It's relaxing, gorgeous, and—if we're becoming honest—a little bit chaotic in the best way possible. Happy fish hunting!