I have some new questions about cichlids.

Question
Hi Ron, I have decided to go with Malawi cichlids. Peacocks and Haps to be more specific. I am really interested in a Blue Dolphin,Cyrtocara Moorii. What is the maximum size of this fish? Also what are some other good species to put with it? Considering their maximum size, how many do you recommend I put in my 75 gal. aquarium? Finally do I need to put females in the tank? I do not plan on breeding them.

Answer
Hi Robyn,
  In general, Malawi cichlids like peacocks and haps tend to be harem spawning fish.  What that means is that a male attempts to control a territory and a group of females. As such, putting more than one adult male of one of those species in a tank is likely to cause trouble because the dominant male will attempt to remove any and all lesser males.  Many people generally find that keeping a male with about 4 to 6 females often works best.   The fact that you might not put any females in the tank doesn't mean that the males don't think that there MIGHT be females around.  They are forever hopeful.

 "I do not plan on breeding them".  That is more up to them than to you :)

 With most peacocks you are talking about a 6 inch fish for the males, give or take.   

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresarch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>