Down the Tropheus hole

[fishguy1978]

So, my new tropheus range from 1in to 3in. If I wait for the smallest to get 1.5in then I will have nearly sexually mature juveniles which will be more difficult to integrate with the old colony.
Currently, the 220g has no rocks. It has been recommended by members on MFK that I leave it that way when I combine the two groups.
I am leaning toward adding several large solitary rocks and then some small piles of rocks. I am also thinking that if I move the mature colony after lights out it might be less stressful.
This feels like nailing jello to a wall!!

 

[danotaylor]

I always like to add fish at lights out as it stops them getting targeted, which can happen even if the new additions are the bigger more mature fish. If it were me, I would add the fish from the older colony to the 220g, wait a few days, then add the rocks.
I will say it again, you really don't want to set up many territories. "Several" solitary rocks & "some" small piles sounds like 6+ territories in your 6' tank length. I could be wrong, but that's how it sounds. The potential there is 6 males constantly harassing the others to defend their territory. If your goal is an integrated colony that you want to breed, a territory at each end and a wide open space is the best way to achieve that, along with removing extra males as they mature.
I kept and bred many variants of trophs over the years, and was very active on trophs.com for nearly a decade before it closed down. The method I am suggesting has been tried & true by a bunch of folks in the trophs game over a prolonged period of time. At the end of the day though, it's your tank & group so you can try what you are envisioning, and if it doesn't work out just change it up.

 

[fishguy1978]

Tonight I will add the adults who are in a temporary holding cell. I know the sump is dark but you can just see a tropheus face.
I added the two juveniles and the most damaged member to the tank directly.
The largest of the new crew wasn’t pleased so he too is in solitary

 

[fishguy1978]

Small water change and added the adults while refilling the tank. All the lights are off in the fish room.

 

[Milingu]

Good luck .

 

[PhishMon84]

Good luck this genus is always a heartbreaker

 

[fishguy1978]

Survived 24hrs

 

[fishguy1978]

Combined the Groups

 

[Bigrizo]

I never gave it too much thought when combining groups. For adult wilds I would cover the tank for a day. As with most AC they're going to hash it out at some point. Number have always been the safest way for me also.

 

[fishguy1978]

One female carrying for sure. Won't open her mouth to feed.
Two males have taken territories but the aggression seems to be well distributed. Both were trying to steal females away from the other.