Confused about the temperament of Pseudotropheus socolofi

efors

efors

AC Members
Jun 17, 2008
2,710
0
36
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Hello!
Lately, I have been reading info about this fish and got confused. Some say that it is weakly territorial in the aquarium and a great fish for beginners. Others say that it is a nasty aggressive fish.
How has been your experience with this species?
In what type of tank setup do you have or did you have this species (tank size, companions, etc.).
Thanks in advance for your responses!
:confused:
 
"Weakly territorial" is an understatement in my opinion. They can be quite belligerent at times. Similarly "nasty aggressive fish" may be an overstatement, however it all depends on what else is in the tank with them, as their aggression can be countered or supressed by more dominant-prone fish such as certain metriaclima and melanochromis species (aggression, in my opinion, is all relative).

I currently keep socolofi's in two of my tanks, a 75gal and 125gal. In both tanks they're among the most belligerent but aren't the alpha fish in the tank. They tend to push their weight around among other fish but back down to my metriaclima's (zebras, etc) every easily. Since I have lots of zebras in my 125gal, the socolofi's are pesky.

In my 75gal (populated by lots of demasoni's) they've carved out sizeable territories and don't back down from demasoni's and are able to drive them off(but will submit to the dominance of the couple of msobos, which are also metriaclima species and in the same tank).

In a tank which is stocked with less aggressive fish (yellow labs, acei's, etc) socolofi's will ambitious enough to become the tank dominants and perhaps even borderline 'bullies'.

One a scale of 1 to 5 in terms of aggression, with 5 being the highest, I'd rate them as a solid 3.
 
Thanks kay-bee!
Then in your opinion, What species can be good tankmates for Ps. socolofi in let's say a 55g tank?
 
Thanks again, kay-bee!
According to your experience and using the same "aggression scale" of 1 to 5, What mbuna species would you rate as 1 or 2, in addition to yellow labs and aceis?
 
Last edited:
Nice replies, kay-bee!
Maybe my last question: Where should be the rusties (I. sprengerae) in that scale?
I really appreciate your help!
 
Rusties, 1 or a 2.

Keep in mind that this scale of mine is highly non-scientific, and that tank set up, tank mates and even fish personalities play roles in aggression manifestation and intensity :grinyes:
 
I understand that well!
Now, I promise these are going to be my last questions:
I'm planning a 55g setup with these 4 species: yellow labs, yellow tail aceis, rusties and Ps. socolofi albino; Will they do well here in your opinion? How many fishes of each species would you add in this tank, if it is a good combination?
It has been a great pleasure to interact with you!
 
Last edited:
I agree with all of that.

I have a Ps. socolofi in an all male tank. He's the dominant fish but does not throw his weight around/murder other fish, which makes him an important fish in my set-up as a hyper-dominant fish would be impossible to manage in a smaller tank...so well able to look after himself and more but not psychopathic would be my experience.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom