Sorry, forgot a few things you asked:
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Originally Posted by jillinsavannah
4. From what I have read, I need to get a water testing kit. Where should I keep what levels?? i.e. PH at 8.0 to what??
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Ammonia & Nitrites -> NIL. Always!
Nitrates -> preferably less than 40 mg/l
For Malawi cichlids
pH 7.5 - 8.5
temp between 75-80F
kH 5-10
gH 5-20
The key to water parameters is STABILITY.
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Originally Posted by jillinsavannah
Peacocks and electric yellow are popular in the fish stores here, as well as a horizonatal zebra stripped gold & black and a bright orange, plain looking fish of which I can't remember the names.
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Electric yellows (aka Yellow Lab), a Malawi Mbuna, is a good choice.
Horizontal zebra striped gold & black = Auratus, a Malawi Mbuna. Very aggressive killer reputation. AVOID.
Bright orange = most likely Maylandia estherae, a Malawi Mbuna. Also aggressive, but should do well in a 6-footer with enough rockwork.
Peacocks are nice, but don't thrive with Mbunas. Males are spectacular, females are boring ... and you can't really get a good colour mix (they cross-breed pretty easily).
Decide on the fish you want to keep first (Malawi ... Mbuna, Hap or Peacock? Tanganyikan - Tropheus, Shelldweller, etc? Victorian Hap? West African riverine?). Then you can see what's available and decide.
