About auratus and Demasoni.

Fanatic_Fish_Lunatic

Jack Dempsey
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This is my first time getting into African Cichlids. Normally I only keep American Cichlids. I've done some basic research about African Cichlids. So any suitable tank mates for theses? I heard that they're downright psychopath.
 

duanes

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From my experience, auratus is so aggressive, its hard to keep in any community..
And de masoni is best kept in a colony of its own kind, similar to the way Tropheus are kept.
Not that de masoni can't be held in a comminity, but a colony of mutiple generations is a very satisfying and color display experience, and seems to work well in that setting as opposed to a hodge podge of random individuals.
 

Fanatic_Fish_Lunatic

Jack Dempsey
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Jul 24, 2024
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From my experience, auratus is so aggressive, its hard to keep in any community..
And de masoni is best kept in a colony of its own kind, similar to the way Tropheus are kept.
Not that de masoni can't be held in a comminity, but a colony of mutiple generations is a very satisfying and color display experience, and seems to work well in that setting as opposed to a hodge podge of random individuals.
Generally, between mbunas, peacocks and haps. What is the most aggressive? I kinda want to mix them in the future.
 

justintheodd

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Oct 7, 2024
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Generally, between mbunas, peacocks and haps. What is the most aggressive? I kinda want to mix them in the future.
If I may chime in, mbuna's tend to be the more aggressive out of the bunch, but that's not to say that there are not more docile species. Mixing them can be a little tricky, and more often than not it will work out better if you separate them, but I have both seen it done and done it personally. do with this info what you will. I hope I helped!
 

Fanatic_Fish_Lunatic

Jack Dempsey
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Jul 24, 2024
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If I may chime in, mbuna's tend to be the more aggressive out of the bunch, but that's not to say that there are not more docile species. Mixing them can be a little tricky, and more often than not it will work out better if you separate them, but I have both seen it done and done it personally. do with this info what you will. I hope I helped!
You helped a lot, thank you!
 

DJRansome

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I agree with Duanes, especially if the tank mate is auratus. I would only keep auratus in a 72" tank with 2 other aggressive species (not demasoni...Maingano might work as an example) and even then auratus are touch/go with excessive aggression. One male and seven or more females minimum. Never more than one male/tank.

Demasoni are hard to keep and delicate healthwise so a single species tank is the safe choice but they can go in a smaller tank...48" long is good for them.

I have mixed mbuna with peacocks and haps and would NOT do so again. If you decide to try anyway, go with only yellow labs or acei for the mbuna and if you are thinking all-male 75G 48x18 rectangle is the minimum...all-male also works better in a 72" tank.
 

troublesum

Dovii
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Dec 28, 2007
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This is my first time getting into African Cichlids. Normally I only keep American Cichlids. I've done some basic research about African Cichlids. So any suitable tank mates for theses? I heard that they're downright psychopath.
I have been keeping CA/SA cichlids for the last 20+ years and the big guys last year i tried the African cichlid thing as my LFS was running a good sale so i bought about 20 of them dropped them in my 125.
They are a cool fish to watch on YT or at my friends house but after keeping large cichlids i got bored of them and gave them back
 
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