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choosing between peacocks and mbuna
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 5:11 pm
by morgel
Hi all,
I've finally decided to set up an African Cichlid tank after years of fish keeping. The tank I've chosen is a 330L with a 150L sump and an eheim pro4e canister, giving me a total water volume of nearly 500L and plenty of filtration.
This tank has previously been used for an American Cichlid setup which ran successfully for over 5 years, so it's already cycled and ready to go. My local water is soft, so I've had to dose to increase the KH & GH levels to get the parameters where I need them.
I've done my research on both Peacocks and Mbuna, so I've got a good general idea of their requirements and behaviours. However, having never kept this species of fish before, I'm unsure whether to go for a Mbuna or Peacock tank. I'd love to hear from other keepers of these species about their experiences and knowledge.
Thanks
Re: choosing between peacocks and mbuna
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 6:00 pm
by oldraider
I've had my share of African Cichlids years ago, my daughter brought home a rescue bunch from college - 8 of them. They ended up in my 55-gallon community tank and before I knew it, they were running the show. Had to relocate most of the other fish, except for a lone pleco. They bred like crazy, and in no time I was swimming in over 50 young adult cichlids - gave most of them away. Learned a valuable lesson about encouraging them to breed and having a tank full of fry. It was entertaining at first, but I can see how it'd get out of hand. You've got a great setup going, morgel, good luck with your new venture.
Re: choosing between peacocks and mbuna
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 6:07 pm
by desertstream
I'm not too keen on aggressive fish, just another thing to worry about, so I've always steered clear of them. Mbuna can be quite territorial and feisty, which is why I'd probably lean towards peacocks. I also think they're stunning, with so much more variety in terms of colors and patterns. Just my two cents.
Re: choosing between peacocks and mbuna
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 6:26 pm
by briar8on
Your setup sounds fantastic. I've done my fair share of reading on African cichlids, though I don't have hands-on experience. Given your tank size and filtration, you've got the flexibility to go either way. As you're likely aware, peacocks and mbuna have different needs when it comes to tank setup. With all that open swimming space, peacocks and larger mbuna seem like a natural fit, but if you're considering more aggressive mbuna like demasoni or auratus, you'll want to add more rockwork. I've always been drawn to melanochromis exasperatus - beautiful fish. Ultimately, choose the species that resonates with you, and consider a breeding colony with a male and multiple females, or a more diverse community setup - it's definitely more challenging, but rewarding in its own right.
Re: choosing between peacocks and mbuna
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 7:26 pm
by belleora
I'm totally clueless about cichlids but I just had to say your setup looks incredible. I'm more of a jungle-style aquascaper myself, lots of plants and whatnot, which I guess isn't exactly cichlid-friendly. Still, your tank is really something else - love the way it's all come together. Did you create that 3D background yourself, it's really impressive?
Re: choosing between peacocks and mbuna
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 9:17 pm
by morgel
I've been given some really useful insights from you all, thanks for sharing your experiences and opinions. It seems I was already on the right track, leaning towards Peacocks, and now I'm fairly certain that's the route I'll take.
Regarding the background, I'm glad you like it - it's actually from an old 4ft setup I had a while back, which I've had to modify to fit this tank. The 4ft width works perfectly, but with this tank being only 2ft high, I've had to get creative with some rockery and bogwood to cover the bottom. It seems to be doing the job, though. I do love planted aquariums, but I think I'll just stick to a small Anubias or two - anything more might be a bit too much for this setup.
Re: choosing between peacocks and mbuna
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 11:06 pm
by briar8on
morgel wrote: ↑Fri Aug 15, 2025 5:11 pm
Hi all,
I've finally decided to set up an African Cichlid tank after years of fish keeping. The tank I've chosen is a 330L with a 150L sump and an eheim pro4e canister, giving me a total water volume of nearly 500L and plenty of filtration.
This tank has previously been used for an American Cichlid setup which ran successfully for over 5 years, so it's already cycled and ready to go. My local water is soft, so I've had to dose to increase the KH & GH levels to get the parameters where I need them.
I've done my research on both Peacocks and Mbuna, so I've got a good general idea of their requirements and behaviours. However, having never kept this species of fish before, I'm unsure whether to go for a Mbuna or Peacock tank. I'd love to hear from other keepers of these species about their experiences and knowledge.
Thanks
Considering your setup and leaning towards peacocks, I'm curious - what strains are you thinking of keeping, are you looking at the more common types like Aulonocara jacobfreibergi or perhaps something a bit more unique?
Re: choosing between peacocks and mbuna
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2025 1:03 am
by morgel
I've begun to narrow down my options for Peacock species. A few that have caught my eye are Aulonocara Hueseri, Aulonocara Stuartgranti Flavescent, Aulonocara Mamelela, Aulonocara Rubescen, and Aulonocara Ngara.
I'm looking for advice on which ones can coexist peacefully and if there are any I should avoid keeping together.
Re: choosing between peacocks and mbuna
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2025 1:40 am
by brewista
Your tank is looking fantastic. I was actually considering getting into cichlids myself, but they seem too aggressive for my household - my wife wouldn't be too thrilled about it, and I don't want to stress her out. I've heard great things about them, though. Good luck with your decision, and I look forward to seeing how it all comes together.
Re: choosing between peacocks and mbuna
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2025 3:27 am
by morgel
I'm really pleased with how my tank is looking now, so I'm at the stage where I'm looking to stock it. I've got my heart set on some Malawi cichlids, but I'm after some recommendations for breeders or shops in the north west, or even some good online shops that I can trust.