Hello,

I moved here from the States 5 years ago and figure its about time to set up another african cichlid tank. A recent visit to a local fish store has made me realize how spoilt for choice I was back there, both in terms of fish available and low prices. Can anyone here give me some advice on where to buy an inexpensive tank, filter etc, as well as where the best variety of Malawi cichlids for sale are? I live in the Auckland area.

Also, have any of you ordered you equipment online to save money?

Any input is very much appreciated.

Thanks

Wairarapa ain't in Auckland! :lol:

If you're after a new tank then Greg/Tanks2U is always well-priced and builds quality tanks to any dimensions/specs. Alternately try TradeMe as you can often pick up a good bargain second hand. As for other equipment, I'd suggest supporting the specialist stores that carry a good range of fish/gear/food rather than going for the all-out cheapest nastiest stuff from some garage-trader on trademe. Hollywood Fish Farm in Mt Roskill and Albany are always good, and there are a few other small stores like Pupuke who are worth a visit. Times are tough for small business, so its good to support those who support the hobby (not the chain-stores that carry a minimal range of fish and whos staff don't know a cardinal from a clown loach either).

There are a few people on here who breed some nice african cichlids, Johannes would be one but I think he's almost completely gone out of malawi's, and Ryanjury is another. I'm sure they'll add their 2c in...

Yea, I've since moved since creating this account back when I first moved here, guess I should change that...

Thank-you very much for your quick reply. How do I get in touch with this Greg guy to order a tank?

I try to get in touch with those people you've mentioned and see what they have to offer.

Thanks

Give him a call on 021900727 He's built a 4x2x2' reptile enclosure and a 150x70x60cm tank with overflow for me and both have been excellent. I'm sure others can vouch for his work too.

malawiman breeds some nice fish down this way, I'm usually heading up to the big smoke most weeks so could do a drop off.

Yeah there are a few good tank builders up there that will build for a reasonable price.. Also watch out on trademe as bargains go on there all the time..

You were very lucky where you came from.. Seems NZ gets sent a poor selection of africans, however there are a few breeders who have managed to breed descent fish and also make the right decisions regarding breeding and keeping things pure etc..

A few usernames for you on here that are in Auckland.

Johannes (not much help for malawi's at the moment but he may still have a few left)

Tropheus

Failing that keep an eye out on trademe.. But be very careful there are some dodgy dealers out there make sure you post on here and ask for advice on it.

Do you have any specific fish you are after? mbuna/haps/peacocks or a mix? And what size tank were you thinking of doing..

Thank-you for your help.

I'm hoping to buy a tank and filter within the next few weeks so I can have it cycled and ready for the new year, so I wont be buying any africans until mid jan I'd say (I like to cycle a new tank with something like zebra danios)

Some of the cichlids i'm after are....

Aulonacara baenschi

" stuatgranti

" masoni

" maulana

Protomelas spilonotus*

Copadichromis trimaculatus

Pseudotropheus solusi

" socolifi

Metraclime estherae

Cynotilapia afra

Labidochromis caerulus

S. Fryeri (electric blue)

Are any of these species available in NZ/Do any of you guys breed these?

I'm going to get at least a 4 ft tank, hopefully bigger. One thing i've learned from africans is that you can never be big enough or over-filtered...

I guess my goal is to have 2 colonies of mbuna, and 2 or 3 breeding groups of Haps/peacocks.

Thanks

Baenshi are here but they are more orange than yellow..

There are a few strains of stuartgranti but red shoulders are around in NZ..

Protomelas taeniolatus (red empress) are here and relatively common now, Protomelas spilonotus aren't as far as im aware.

Copadichromis trimaculatus aren't here but Copadichromis borleyi (red Kadango) are.

Pseudotropheus solusi aren't here but socolofi are.

Metraclime estherae, Cynotilapia afra, Labidochromis caerulus and S. Fryeri (electric blue) are all here but in varying qualities.. Be careful your not just buying hybrid zebras when your buying afra, and look for descent quality fryeri/yellows. I might have a few afra spare if you wanted some of them.

Are you aware that most of these fish will cross breed? You will only be able to keep one species of peacock (and they may or may not be dominated by the mbuna). You should aim for at least a large 4ft some of the haps will outgrow it maybe some of the mbuna too.

Lots of photos of my fish that include a few of what you have asked for here..

http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f183/ryanjury/

In The new year I will have for sale

Aulonacara baenschi

" stuatgranti (a couple of "varities")

S. Fryeri (electric blue)

C. temporalis

M Greyshakei

J Marleri (sp?)

Lionheads

B Pulchers

Guppies

Melanachromis takeaguess

Red Jewels

Think thats it

Navarre

breeding:

Aulonocara Chilumba- mostly spoken for for a few months

" " heuseri. Sold to me as these, breeding true.

Copadichromis Azureus.

Demasonis.

Aulonocara rubescens.

Yeah there are a few good tank builders up there that will build for a reasonable price.. Also watch out on trademe as bargains go on there all the time..

You were very lucky where you came from.. Seems NZ gets sent a poor selection of africans, however there are a few breeders who have managed to breed descent fish and also make the right decisions regarding breeding and keeping things pure etc..

A few usernames for you on here that are in Auckland.

Johannes (not much help for malawi's at the moment but he may still have a few left)

Tropheus

Failing that keep an eye out on trademe.. But be very careful there are some dodgy dealers out there make sure you post on here and ask for advice on it.

Do you have any specific fish you are after? mbuna/haps/peacocks or a mix? And what size tank were you thinking of doing..

LOL gone are the days we had :roll:

Electric yellow

Giraffe Cichlid

Blue Lump head Blue Dolphin

Red Kadango Cichlid

Placidochromis Electra

Ice Blue, Red top

Lemon Jake Peacock

Malawi Eye Biter

Electric Blue Hap

Chilumba Red Flush Peacock / SO CALLED :evil:

Lionhead / Steatocranus Casuarius.

Polystigma

Nimbochromis Livingstonii

Haplochromis sp. "Thick Skin

Kenyi/Lombardoi

Maleri Red Peacock

Red Empress

Only have the these left for sale

E Yellows 3cm $3.50 each Have 100

Giraffes 3cm $5.00 each have 25+

Aulonocara jacobfreibergi 3cm $6 each Have 8

Blue Cobalt Cichlids $10

Have a few spawns of Tropheus but none for sale this is what we currentley have

Neolamprologus leleupi

Julidochromis marlieri

Synodontis multipunctatus

Tropheus Duboisi Maswa

Tropheus Pemba

Tropheus Marlio

Tropheus Caramba

Tropheus Bulu

Tropheus Ikola

Cobalt Blue Cichlid

Fronts

Thank-you all for your responses. I am currently in the process looking for tanks to buy, and I will be looking at buying fish in mid-jan. I will be in touch with you who have told me what you have for sale then.

Thanks!

Hello,

Just wondering if anyone else out there is breeding any Malawi's and looking to sell some. I've got my tank up and running now and am looking to start stocking it. If you have any P. Soulosi, yellow labs, demasoni, haps/peacocks for sale, and are in the Auckland area, please let me know.

Thanks

Hope it all goes well. :bounce: How did the ply work out? And what was your flat mates reactions?