Can Pseudotropheus African Cichlids be mixed with other African Cichlids?

Question

I recently went to a fish store in my neighborhood and was told by one of the workers that Pseudos should not be mixed with others like Peacocks or Haps. But its just so hard to buy africans because you may not know which are pseudos and which are not. I bought 2 Yellow Labs, 2 Red Zebras, a Metriaclima lombardoi, a Nimbochromis livingstonii, a Melanochromis auratus, and 3 blue striped ones that I'm not quite sure what they are, but i would like someone to give me advice on the tank and what I should do.

Answer 1

I dont see why not I've seen all kinds of Cichlids in the same tank and they do just fine together. Just make sure they have a aggressive manner like the others. Well the store is kinda right

not all Cichlids do go good together but there are exceptions to the rule like convicts, red devils, salvini, firemouth but if u do put these in the tank keep a good eye on them cuz they can be more aggressive sometimes and they will get bigger then the ones u have now.

Answer 2

http://www.bestfish.com/tips/111998.html

try this site it may help u out good luck  

Answer 3

You don't say how big your tank is, but mixing cichlids without knowing their agression level is a recipe for disaster.  10 mixed cichlids should not be in anything smaller than a 55 gallon tank.  All of those fish will grow to 5-6 inches and each will have an agression level according to their species.

The yellow labs should not be a problem, they are one of the more docile pseudotropheus (Ps.).  The red zebras can get quite nippy if they are both males and start staking out territories.  

Never buy cichlids from a retailer that does not know what they are (3 blue striped ones?).  They may be hybrids (junk fish from the breeder) or an agressive species he is trying to get rid of.

Feel free to email me if you have more questions.

8