61 gallon malawi tank

[babyjax13]

I want to completly redo my 61 gallon tank, except for the equipment and sand I'm open to any suggestions. Mainly I want it to be cichlids from Lake Malawi.
I would like to know what kinds of plants I could put in it, (if any).
I realy like Psuedotropheus species,except albinos and those ones with the camo looking coloration, as well as some Peacocks like the Electric blue ahli. I want the tank to be as natural as possible, except I'd like to have plants. I want both Utaka and mbuna in the tank, as well as some sort of bottom feeder.

Thanks!!!!
P.S the tank is 24 inches high, and about three and a half feet wide and it's a Pentagon.

[babyjax13]

Anybody?

[Ken Boorman]

You could try some Vallisnaria rooted in the sand, Java Fern or Bolbitis tied to rocks, or maybe some Crypts also rooted in the sand.
The camo looking one would be Nimbochromis sp. Electric Blue Ahli's are not peacocks. Their real name is Sciaenochromis fryeri.

Ken

[lindamcdonald]

I'm no expert, but...I think you are very limited by a 'high' tank opposed to a 'long' tank. These fish are very territorial and need more floor space than height. And the less floor space they have, the more aggressive they become. Also, with a taller tank, you have less surface area for the oxidation, surface agitation. If you do go with mbunas, probably one or two genus only with 1M/4F ratio. I do know that the L. caeruleus (yellow labs), I. sprengerae (rusties) and P. msulis (aceis) are very mild-mannered fish; not very aggressive. They might work Is there any way you could trade tank in for a 55g (48" wide) tank? If not, how about 5 o 6 yellow labs AND 5 or 6 aceis? They are just beautiful together and with plenty of caves, adequate filtration and good aeration, I think it would work. Talk to other people though. I'm sure there are other fish that could work. The mbunas above are the fish I know most about. Talk to as many people as you can and study. This is really the most fun time and the most important time- when you are deciding on which one of these beautiful fish to choose! Have fun and good luck! Linda

[Lisachromis]

Another smaller mbuna type you could keep would be P. saulosi.

[babyjax13]

The tank is a custom made acrylic, made by my father, so I won't be trading it in soon. But do you think if I stacked a ton of rocks that I could have more fish? Thanks for the info on the ahli, I always thought that they were Peacocks.
Acie and Labs I know are both very calm since I already keep them, and they're a definant possibility for the tank. Thanks!

[socchessfishki]

anubas barteri can be held with a rubber band to a rock or shell and will provide shelter and security to african cichlids. I have used it with salausi and bichardi.

[babyjax13]

I had to sell the tank.......