hi guys hope your all well I now have a 4ft tank with external filter lights sand plants I want to know can I keep my parrot fish x2 with some Malawi fish yellow labs and things thanks

Hi Speedbirdone,
Firstly we are going to need more accurate dimensions of your tank? if you could also give us the volume that would be great :)

121x41x55cm 300L

Unfortunately, regardless of the size of tank, the pH range for both fish types are not compatible. You would have to compromise with parrots at the highest end of their tolerance and Malawis at bottom end of theirs, neither would be happy long term.

No issues with tank size, but you can't keep parrots with Malawi cichlids for plenty of other reasons unfortunately.

First problem is they need different parameters. Malawi mbuna need hard very alkaline water with a pH range for 7.8 to 8.6 whereas the parrots come from a different continent and need medium hard water with a pH range from 6.5 to 7.5. There's no overlap at all.

The second major problem is dietary. Mbuna are herbivores but parrots are omnivores whose diet needs to include a good proportion of animal protein, live foods and so on which are actually harmful to mbuna causing bloat.

EDIT: Cross-posted, sorry!

ok cheers for the feed back can you tell me what colourful spices I can keep with them please or any spices thanks