The best equipment for a Malawi aquarium

A powerful filter, solid rockwork and a good cover: that’s what the equipment of a Malawi aquarium looks like. A practical overview with checklist.

Barred Malawi cichlid in an aquarium with wood and plants
Photo: Jan Rehschuh, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Malawi cichlids are active, eat a lot and are often stocked fairly densely. The equipment therefore mainly needs to do one thing well: keep the water clean and stable.

The aquarium

  • Mbuna: at least 120 cm long, preferably 150 cm or more.
  • Peacocks: at least 150 cm.
  • Large haps: 180–200 cm or more.

For Malawis, the footprint matters more than the height: territories are on the bottom and between the rocks. A depth of at least 50 cm leaves room for attractive rockwork.

Filtration

Choose a generously sized biological filter: a large canister filter, two canister filters or a sump. A turnover of four to six times the tank volume per hour is common. Unlike discus, Malawi cichlids don’t mind some current. Mechanical pre-filtration (a coarse sponge) catches the large amount of dirt and is easy to clean.

Heating

Malawi cichlids need 24–27 °C, with 25–26 °C as a good average. An adjustable heater with a separate thermometer is enough. In a warm living room, cooling is often needed in summer rather than heating.

Lighting

Lake Malawi is clear and sunny. LED lighting for eight to ten hours a day shows off the colours and creates a thin layer of algae on the stones, which mbuna love to graze on.

Substrate and rocks

  • Sand: Malawis love to dig. Fine sand or coral sand (aragonite), which also helps keep pH and KH high.
  • Rocks on the bottom glass: always place stones directly on the glass, and only then add the sand around them. Otherwise the fish dig the rocks out from under.
  • Protect the bottom glass with a sheet of polystyrene or an egg-crate grid under heavy stones.
  • Build stably: a falling stone can break a pane. Glue stones together with aquarium silicone if needed.
  • Lots of caves and passages, so every fish can hide and multiple territories form.

Cover and extras

  • A good cover: Malawi cichlids jump when startled or fighting.
  • Aeration or an outflow that moves the surface, for enough oxygen.
  • Test kits for pH, KH, GH, nitrite and nitrate.
  • A separate quarantine or hospital tank for new, sick or bullied fish, and for mouthbrooding females.

Checklist

  • Aquarium of at least 120 cm (mbuna) to 180 cm or more (haps)
  • Biological filter with a turnover of 4–6× the volume per hour
  • Heater and thermometer (24–27 °C)
  • LED lighting with a timer
  • Sand or coral sand, rocks on the bottom glass
  • A good cover
  • Test kits and a hospital tank