Adding Tankmates

S

slicklid

AC Members
Feb 12, 2008
90
0
0
2 part question

1) I have been considering adding 4 more mbuna to make 15 total. Here are the ones I have been looking at:

a) Red Top Zebras (**I'm assuming, see below)
b) Red Zebras (solid orange in color)
c) A grey striped mbuna with yellow on the fins (no idea what species)

What do you think of those with my mix?

2) Can someone explain the difference between Ps. Zebra (Red Top), Met. Pyrsonotos, and Ps. Greshakei. They all appear to be blue with red fins.

Thanks.
 
Anyone? I am heading to the LFS later, so I kinda need to know these things, I have been doing research but can't find a clear answer since it is based off the other tankmates.
 
slicklid said:
2 part question

1) I have been considering adding 4 more mbuna to make 15 total. Here are the ones I have been looking at:

a) Red Top Zebras (**I'm assuming, see below)
b) Red Zebras (solid orange in color)
c) A grey striped mbuna with yellow on the fins (no idea what species)

What do you think of those with my mix?

2) Can someone explain the difference between Ps. Zebra (Red Top), Met. Pyrsonotos, and Ps. Greshakei. They all appear to be blue with red fins.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Are you thinking of adding four of one species or 4 comprised of a combination of the three types you're considering?

Pseudotropheus Zebra (red top) is probably the same as metriaclima pyrosonotos (the zebra complex were recategorized from pseudotropheus to metriaclima, so 'ps. zebra (red top) is the obsolete nomenclature of the now current m. pyrsontos.

Ps. greskakei (or more accurately, metriaclima greshakei differs from the red top in that it is blue with a red dorsal, while the red top is blue with black stripes, and a red dorsal (description for the male gender of each species, that is).
 
Which would be better, 4 different or 4 of the same? I am still trying to figure out how that works considering you can't always tell male from female when they are juvenile.
 
The LFS has about 6 juv red zebras and 3 red top or greshakei. I could get either I just don't know which would mix best with what I have. (or a few of each?)
 
Probably better to get a group of one kind (minimizes the potential of one particular new fish being singled out, hard to predict how the established fish will react to their inclusion). Keep in mind you're tank has the making of an aggressive set up.

Pick the species you like the best (the red tops are dimorphic so the females won't be has colorful as the males, just something to consider, red zebra females however are comparable to the males).
 
Okay, how about this... instead of those options; what if I added 5 more Demasoni's? I am down to 11 mbuna now, so that would make 16 total and 8 total Dem's. I eventually want a breeding harem of Demasoni.
 
^ sounds good - just bear in mind that they are complete jackasses of fish, and between your Crabro and Auratus you have two other 'characters' there too...i.e. potential murderers.

Not sure how the labs will do long term (although they are often stocked nicely with demasoni as the different colouration keeps them from being attacked) in such an aggressive set-up.
 
Are your current demasoni's 1M/2F ratio?

Adding more could add more males, and with one being a potential serial killer...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom