KLG or anyone else Re: african cichlids

[Ginevive]

I just got 5 of them, and I am told that they are incompatible. The species are 1 yellow lab (labidochromis)
1 aratus
1 kenyii
1 rusty cichlid
and 1 albino zebra
K, I was wondering if you could ask your cichlid-having friend for any advice on whether or not these guys can successfully be mixed. I really do not want to take anyone back to the store if I don;t have to, but the aratus in particular seens to be getting overly aggressive to the others. Any info you could give me would be greatly appreciated!!
Anyone else, please chime in too if you have exp. with malawi cichlids.

[Jeanne]

Hmm cichlids are very aggressive- some more than others. Did the place you purchased them from tell you they were incompatible? If not, that was mighty irresponsible of them. If so, I dont know that I would have bought them knowing this unless I could house them separately. Usually, when you go to pet stores, and you see many different tanks with cichlids, the reason they are not mixed is exactly as you have been told, incompatible. The only suggestion I have at this point, you need a HUGE tank, and plenty of places for the less aggressive ones to hide from the others. They may settle down eventually, but dont be surprised if you find a few dead ones. I love cichlids, but this is why I dont keep them, cant have all the species I like together and no space for that many tanks.

[Ginevive]

The pet store did not tell me that they were incompatible. I found this out after the fact, on one of the fishy message boards (Aquaria Central.)
You would think I'd have known not to listen to pet store people, keeping herps and all, but I guess I got fooled. I plan on bringing back the more aggressive of the fishes (the aratus) and trading him for a second fish of the species I like (yellow lab) that is more docile.
I love these fish; the way they creep along in the water, how they have such bright coloration. I am especially fond of the yellow lab. Anyone who is not compatible with him would have to go.