keeping mbunas and peacocks

[lynzor]

Hey, I'm probably gonna sound dumb for asking this, but can you mix peacocks with mbuna cichlids? I've got mbuna cichlids already and I'm upgrading to a bigger tank soon, so I'm thinking of adding more fish to the mix. I was checking out some peacocks and I thought they'd be a great addition, but I'm not sure if they're compatible. I'd introduce them at the same time so neither has a territorial advantage, other than size, of course.

[lynzor]

I've been doing some research, and I'm thinking of adding some new fish to my tank. I like the seveflake fish, but also some of the haps like Venestus, Yellow Blaze Lithobates, and Copadichromis Trewavasae Mloto Likoma. Then there's some peacocks that caught my eye - the Ruby Red Peacocks, Blue Face OB Peacocks, Lwanda Peacocks, and Ngara Flametail Peacocks. I'm also considering a few more mbuna cichlids like Demasoni, goldenly, and Redfin Borleyi. Can I mix any of these together, or do I need to stick to the usual - haps with haps, mbuna with mbuna, and peacocks with peacocks?

[rustyfox]

What's the tank size you're working with? I've found that certain mbuna species can get along with haps and peacocks. For instance, labiatus, acei, and rusty cichlids are generally pretty peaceful and can coexist with peacocks. However, most other mbuna species are way too aggressive and will outcompete the more peaceful peacocks for food. Size differences are also crucial, as some larger haps, like nimbochromis venestus, prey on mbuna in the wild. I'd advise against auratus if you're planning to keep peacocks, as they can be quite aggressive.

[lynzor]

What's the tank size you're working with? I've found that certain mbuna species can get along with haps and peacocks. For instance, labiatus, acei, and rusty cichlids are generally pretty peaceful and can coexist with peacocks. However, most other mbuna species are way too aggressive and will outcompete the more peaceful peacocks for food. Size differences are also crucial, as some larger haps, like nimbochromis venestus, prey on mbuna in the wild. I'd advise against auratus if you're planning to keep peacocks, as they can be quite aggressive.

The new tank will be a 75 gallon. I've currently got a mix of red zebras, 2 kenyi cichlids, 2 yellow labs, a bumblebee, and an auratus in my old tank, along with a red tail shark and a bristlenose pleco.

[rustyfox]

Considering your tank's inhabitants, the Yellow Labs are the only mbuna that might get along with peacocks and haps. The Kenyi, Auratus, and Bumblebee are notoriously aggressive mbuna, often difficult to keep with other mbuna. As for the Red Tail Shark, it's a gamble – many have tried, but few have reported long-term success.

[lynzor]

What's the tank size you're working with? I've found that certain mbuna species can get along with haps and peacocks. For instance, labiatus, acei, and rusty cichlids are generally pretty peaceful and can coexist with peacocks. However, most other mbuna species are way too aggressive and will outcompete the more peaceful peacocks for food. Size differences are also crucial, as some larger haps, like nimbochromis venestus, prey on mbuna in the wild. I'd advise against auratus if you're planning to keep peacocks, as they can be quite aggressive.

My red zebras are pretty much the bosses of the tank right now. One of the kenyi is pretty timid, while the other's a dominant female. The bumblebee and auratus tend to keep a low profile, whereas the shark just does its own thing, digging through the sand and scrounging around the plants and rocks. I was wondering, is it because there are fewer of the other fish compared to the red zebras that the auratus, kenyi, and bumblebee aren't as aggressive as they could be?

[rustyfox]

A lot of these fish might still be young, but once they hit breeding age, it's likely things'll escalate quickly, especially in a 4ft tank - it's almost a guarantee that tensions will rise and conflicts will intensify.

[lynzor]

What's the tank size you're working with? I've found that certain mbuna species can get along with haps and peacocks. For instance, labiatus, acei, and rusty cichlids are generally pretty peaceful and can coexist with peacocks. However, most other mbuna species are way too aggressive and will outcompete the more peaceful peacocks for food. Size differences are also crucial, as some larger haps, like nimbochromis venestus, prey on mbuna in the wild. I'd advise against auratus if you're planning to keep peacocks, as they can be quite aggressive.

One of my kenyi is fully grown, and 2 of my red zebras are mature too - they're the parents of the 25+ red zebra fry I've got now, ranging from 2-6 months old. The bumblebee's mature as well, I got the bumblebee, both red zebras and the one kenyi at the same time, about 2 years ago. The other kenyi I've had for about 9 months now, got it from the store at about 1.5" and it's about that size now. My yellow labs are still small, about 2", the auratus is about 2.5-3" and the red tailed shark is about 4". Now, about my red zebras - will they get along with haps or peacocks?

[rustyfox]

I've had no experience with red zebras personally, but I've heard mixed reviews - some folks say they can be pretty feisty. Given that most of your fish have grown up together, it seems like they've established a pecking order and are coexisting peacefully. However, introducing new fish to the tank could disrupt this balance and cause the existing fish to view the newcomers as a threat to their territory. If you're set on adding peacocks, I'd recommend sticking with labs, rusty, and acei - these combinations have been proven to work well time and time again. In my own experience, I've kept labs and acei with haps and peacocks without any issues. If you're happy with your current mix, you might consider adding more of the same species to create a more stable group dynamic, ensuring each male has multiple females to reduce aggression.

[lynzor]

What's the tank size you're working with? I've found that certain mbuna species can get along with haps and peacocks. For instance, labiatus, acei, and rusty cichlids are generally pretty peaceful and can coexist with peacocks. However, most other mbuna species are way too aggressive and will outcompete the more peaceful peacocks for food. Size differences are also crucial, as some larger haps, like nimbochromis venestus, prey on mbuna in the wild. I'd advise against auratus if you're planning to keep peacocks, as they can be quite aggressive.

I figured they'd get territorial, so I was planning on getting a bigger tank and adding the new ones at the same time or even before the others. Guess I'll just stick with what I know works, probably just get more kenyis, bumblebees, labs and auratus.