are mbuna cichlids suitable for my tank

[tideborn]

Hi everyone, I've got a 190l setup with 9 yo yos, 3 clowns, 1 male keyhole (I'm pretty sure), and 2 female convicts. Don't worry about the clowns, I know they'll need upgrading soon.

I'm thinking of getting some powder blue socolofi cichlids from someone nearby - they're selling them as 2-3cm juveniles. Can I add a few to my tank or not? If not, are there other cichlids that would be compatible with my current setup?

[boomer]

I'm not optimistic about this working out. Your current fish are suited to soft to moderately hard water, whereas powder blue socolofi cichlids prefer hard to fairly hard water. That's a significant difference. Compatibility is also a concern. And, to be honest, your tank is already at or possibly over capacity.

[creekdwlr]

I'd agree with @boomer - Mbuna aren't a good fit for your tank. They need a lot of space, hard water, and plenty of rockwork, not to mention their own kind to keep them occupied. A 55g tank (208L) is the bare minimum for these guys, and even then, you'd need multiple Mbuna to keep them from stressing each other out.

I'm a bit surprised you've got Convicts and a Keyhole swimming together without issues, but I suppose if the females aren't breeding, they might just get along. Still, it's a delicate balance.

Rather than trying to find fish that fit your current tank, why not start from scratch? Imagine your tank is empty - what do you want it to look like? What fish match your water parameters, and what fish do you like that can coexist peacefully? That's the key to a thriving tank. Just throwing in fish you like isn't a recipe for success.

[tideborn]

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it - I've always fancied a cichlid tank, so I'm open to making some changes. If I were to sell a few of the yo-yos, what larger fish, around the size of Pearl Gouramis, would be compatible? I've got a long, thin tank, which I was told was ideal as it gives the fish plenty of room to swim up and down the length.

[tideborn]

I've also got a soft spot for apistogrammas, and I'm more than happy to make some space for them in my tank.

[boomer]

If you were to rehome the cichlids you currently have, it would open up a world of possibilities for you, allowing you to create a tank that's truly tailored to your vision and the needs of your new fish.

[tideborn]

I'm really attached to my keyhole, he's such a gentle soul, would it be possible to keep him with apistogrammas. I know I've got to rehome the convicts, but I'm not sure how the temperaments would work with the keyhole and apistogrammas, any advice would be great, thanks.

[boomer]

Hi everyone, I've got a 190l setup with 9 yo yos, 3 clowns, 1 male keyhole (I'm pretty sure), and 2 female convicts. Don't worry about the clowns, I know they'll need upgrading soon.

I'm thinking of getting some powder blue socolofi cichlids from someone nearby - they're selling them as 2-3cm juveniles. Can I add a few to my tank or not? If not, are there other cichlids that would be compatible with my current setup?

Yes, your water parameters are still a mystery, particularly the GH and pH. Once we know these, it'll be a breeze to suggest tankmates for the Keyhole. With its species, Cleithracara maronii, in mind, we're looking at a peaceful cichlid that's easily frightened, so it needs some gentle companions.

In the wild, they inhabit slow-moving, shallow streams with tannin-stained water and plenty of hiding spots. For a community tank, peaceful characins, rasboras, or substrate fish would be great "dither fish" to help this shy guy feel more at ease. If you're looking to mix it with other cichlids, dwarf species, discus, or angelfish could work, but avoid more aggressive cichlids to prevent stress.

A dark substrate, flat stones, and some bogwood chunks would be perfect for replicating its natural habitat. Add some floating plants to shade the light, and you'll have a happy Keyhole. It's not a fish for a barren tank, so make sure to add some plants for cover. And, given its natural habitat, a minimal filter flow would be ideal.

[tideborn]

I'm still figuring out my water parameters to be honest, I've ordered a test kit and all that but I'm still waiting to get started with testing.

[boomer]

Hi everyone, I've got a 190l setup with 9 yo yos, 3 clowns, 1 male keyhole (I'm pretty sure), and 2 female convicts. Don't worry about the clowns, I know they'll need upgrading soon.

I'm thinking of getting some powder blue socolofi cichlids from someone nearby - they're selling them as 2-3cm juveniles. Can I add a few to my tank or not? If not, are there other cichlids that would be compatible with my current setup?

You might be able to find the GH and pH on your water authority's website if you're on municipal water, which could save you some time. If it's a private well source, then you'll have to test. The GH isn't going to change much in the aquarium once you know it, so it's worth looking into.