Advice please on cichlids and catfish

[George]

Hey.

Further to my last post, can anyone advise me on the suitability of having one Malawi cichlid and one catfish together in the same 25 gallon tank? The cichlid is about 5inches, the catfish 7inches. Following the death of a second cichlid on Saturday, I'm wondering whether a new recruit would be a good idea or not...

In other words, will the cichlid and catfish get on, or should I gamble on a new cichlid?? Or is there any other suitable species that might even things out a bit??

Thanks

George

[MatsP]

Which one of the several dozen species Malawi cichlids are we talking about, and which of the 2500 or so species of catfish is it you've got?

Malawi cichlids tend to be pretty "agressive", and some of the catfish are too, but others are gentle giants.

It sounds like the fish that died had some sort of digestive trait problem, perhaps congestion-based. Are your malawi's eating enough greens, or do you give them high-protein food?

[Of course, I'm not an expert at Malawi cichlids, and there are hundreds of other reasons, including droopsy, that could be the cause of death of your fish.]

--
Mats

[George]

Mats, thank you for your response. I "inherited" the fish and do not know the actual species of either the catfish or the cichlid. I am a novice in many ways and as such have yet to introduce plants as food The catfish only responds to agression and has no interest in dishing it out. He is merely a lazy old fool keen on an easy life, and the cichlid only pecks at him occasionally.

I think I will monitor the situation.

Thanks again.

[Lisachromis]

George,

Do you know how to post pics? or email them to people? It may be possible to ID your fish that way. If your fish get along now, I wouldn't worry too much about them. Just keep an eye on them in case things aren't working out.

[George]

My Lake Malawi Cichlid, Graham, has had a lump on his nostril for about three months now. Every time it shrinks it comes back a lot bigger. It seems to be a cyst or an ulcer perhaps.

He seems otherwise healthy.

I can't seem to diagnose or treat this problem accurately. I have used BSB Aquarium Doctor and Liquisil to try and eradicate bacterial or fungul infection but it's not helping much.

How can I send you a photo?


George