bolivianbaby

I've found room for a 55g. I want demasoni african cichlids. My research says they're EXTREMELY aggressive. Are there any tankmates that are compatible with them or should they be species only? I wouldn't be setting this tank up for a few months, but I'm trying to get my research done ahead of time.

btate617

You can mix them with other aggressive species. However a species only tank looks good with them. LOTS of rock work and you will be ok. They are hard to sex when young unless you vent them, but if you get a good mix of M/F you will be ok.
Another note if you can find a store to buy them you will be in there. Around here at a store 1-2" Demasoni go for around $12-15, and from hobbiest around $5-7.

Brian

Shawnie

my fav african out of them all!!!!! I have 4 and they are agressive...but everyone keeps up with them..my most aggressive is my auratus and ive been so tempted to get him 3 gals, but im scared to death he will kill them as they are all small around here..

bolivianbaby

I'm kinda hoping to get some at the auction in the spring, provided I can show the necessary amount of patience to wait that long.

I'm assuming it's the typical 12-15 fish for the 55, right?

What are some aggressive african species? I just want to make sure I do all of my research ahead of time and find out exactly what I want in this tank. I really should be making this my last one, except for the 10g growout tank for my cons, of course

Shawnie-how is it we think alike with fish even when we don't know what the other is thinking?. Remind me again you're looking for females before the auction in the spring. If I can get some larger sized ones, you know I'll get some and ship them to ya

Shawnie

its so doggon hard for me to say on agression....im so overstocked with a ton of different kids, they all hold their own and do their own thing...my auratus is deffinately tank boss..but I Have a lab that will take on 2 of my demasoni and but heads with my auratus if he comes near his women... angela and i have come to the conclusion that ive had no deaths or injuries because of overstocking...but by no means are all my fish suppose to be together (according to the rules)

btate617

For you BB I would look at 20-25.

Shawnie

I agree...you are great with tank maintenance and I think that would be perfect ....if you go a mix, id go more on 15-20

bolivianbaby

SWEET! Mercy, you made me blush So any suggestions on aggressive species that can be mixed with the demasoni? I may do species only, but I definitely want to check out and research my options.

This will be tank #16, including my 10g growout tank for the cons. I've promised my daughter a 20g in her room if she meets some school grade and clean room requirements, so that would be #17. Thank goodness for Excel! That's where I track all of my tanks. One workbook, 17 spreadsheets

Shawnie

im leaving that to brian LOL ...my stock is a kennel ration and Id hate to recommend certain species (not to mention that I dont know half of them!!)

bolivianbaby

But it's a beautiful kennel ration You're the reason I was brave enough to get into africans in the first place, so for that (among several other things), I'm VERY grateful.

Shawnie

aww thanks a bunch!!
but you know that tank was stocked by the bf and he buys according to color not what should be in there hahahah ...ive been trying since setting it up to figure how many are in there

btate617

I think M. Auratus would mix well also, possibly P. Lombardoi, the only problem I see here is possibly females being picked because of their similiar colors. But male Kenyii are a cool colored fish I think.
L. Caeruleus would look cool with Demasoni, the blues against the yellows would be nice. I may think 75gal though as they get up around 5" and they aren't quite as aggressive.

bolivianbaby

I've been wanting Kenyi's for awhile. Oooohhh, okay, I'm happy Wow, I can have the best of all worlds with this.

The auratus are readily available around here as well as the demanosi and the kenyi's and the labs. I believe all of them were at the auction a few weeks ago, so I bet I'll have some great luck at the auction in the spring.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

The tank will have a similar set-up as my 75 african, so we should be in good shape. We also have yellow labs in two other african tanks, so we have swapping possibilities if there are any aggression issues.

I like having backup plans as well. Once I bring fish home, I like them to stay here.