I am having a horrible time deciding on what to replace my OB zebras with. So I figured I would get some more advice from this wonderful forum.
Here are the specs on the tank:
55 gallon with a eheim 2028 and cascade 1000 filters running. Black sand, black background, rounded granite boulders and a couple pieces of texas holey rock. I have a 48" light stripe with a 50/50 bulb. The rocks are split into 3 groups. One pile on each side of the tank with the holey rock in the middle along with a few plastic plants. I can post pictures if needed. The tank is very dark to bring out the colors of the fish. This stocking choice needs to be bright and pop in this dark tank.
Stocking:
Cyno. white top haras: These guys have blue'grey females and the male is a white blue with a few black stripes. He doesn't always show his stripes but is usually a nice blue color. The haras bicker with one another but generally leave the other fish alone. These guys range from 2" -3" right now and are reproducing like rabbits. I have no idea how many I have.
Ps. Acei: I have 4 right now. 1male and 3 females. These fish don't bother anyone but seem to be chased by everyone. They get along great with the other fish and don't seem to mind being chased away. Most of the acei are well over 4" now.
Ps. Demasoni: I have one adult male demasoni. I think I lucked out with him. Yes he is aggressive but all he does is chase. He can be a punk but never stresses fish out or harms them. He's been in the tank for over a year and has done very well. He owns the place and only really seems to hate the OB zebras. I love this guy and would hate to see him go.
OB zebras: This is the group I am replacing. My dominant male has gone crazy and has killed one of his females. They are constantly fighting with each other and causing damage to other OB zebras and tankmates. They are the only group that does not play well with others. So they are getting booted and being replaced by one of the following species.
Here we go:
First up is Metriaclima sp. ''msobo' :
Pros: Nice fish that has blue stripeless males with yellow females. Shouldn't cross breed with my other fish.
Cons: I might be dealing with another aggression case. I don't want fish that are going to kill each other. I would have to order offline which is pricey.
Second option:
Melanochromis Johanni :
Pros: This fish has horizontal stripes so my cyno and demasoni shouldn't get too upset about it. Nice yellow females for contrast.
Cons: I was told when i first started this tank to avoid anything in the Melanochromis genus. Would I be dealing with psycho killers? Also I would have to order offline which means more $$$.
Third option:
Pseudotropheus Saulosi:
Pros: Stays small and that would be good for a 55 gallon. Males are nice looking and so are the females. I could also get these locally and they seem to be well mannered.
Cons: The addition of these would mean my demasoni would have to go and there could be problems with my white top hara. Too many vertical striped fish. I would have to watch the situation carefully and could have some compatibility problems.
Fourth option:
Pseudotropheus socolofi (albino)
Pro: Nice solid white fish that will contrats great with my decore. My demasoni could stay and no stripes in sight for anyone to get mad about. These guys seem middle road as far as aggression goes and I think they would play nicely.
Cons: I don't think I could get them locally so I would have to order offline, $$$. They seem to get bigger than my other options.
Final choice:
Labidochromis caeruleus
Pros: I know this species will work in my tank. They are not very aggressive and look nice as well. Easy to get.
Cons: This is my least favorite option. Labs are so common and it can be difficult to get a nice strain. This is really a last option for me.
Other: I am open to any other suggestions.
Here are the specs on the tank:
55 gallon with a eheim 2028 and cascade 1000 filters running. Black sand, black background, rounded granite boulders and a couple pieces of texas holey rock. I have a 48" light stripe with a 50/50 bulb. The rocks are split into 3 groups. One pile on each side of the tank with the holey rock in the middle along with a few plastic plants. I can post pictures if needed. The tank is very dark to bring out the colors of the fish. This stocking choice needs to be bright and pop in this dark tank.
Stocking:
Cyno. white top haras: These guys have blue'grey females and the male is a white blue with a few black stripes. He doesn't always show his stripes but is usually a nice blue color. The haras bicker with one another but generally leave the other fish alone. These guys range from 2" -3" right now and are reproducing like rabbits. I have no idea how many I have.
Ps. Acei: I have 4 right now. 1male and 3 females. These fish don't bother anyone but seem to be chased by everyone. They get along great with the other fish and don't seem to mind being chased away. Most of the acei are well over 4" now.
Ps. Demasoni: I have one adult male demasoni. I think I lucked out with him. Yes he is aggressive but all he does is chase. He can be a punk but never stresses fish out or harms them. He's been in the tank for over a year and has done very well. He owns the place and only really seems to hate the OB zebras. I love this guy and would hate to see him go.
OB zebras: This is the group I am replacing. My dominant male has gone crazy and has killed one of his females. They are constantly fighting with each other and causing damage to other OB zebras and tankmates. They are the only group that does not play well with others. So they are getting booted and being replaced by one of the following species.
Here we go:
First up is Metriaclima sp. ''msobo' :
Pros: Nice fish that has blue stripeless males with yellow females. Shouldn't cross breed with my other fish.
Cons: I might be dealing with another aggression case. I don't want fish that are going to kill each other. I would have to order offline which is pricey.
Second option:
Melanochromis Johanni :
Pros: This fish has horizontal stripes so my cyno and demasoni shouldn't get too upset about it. Nice yellow females for contrast.
Cons: I was told when i first started this tank to avoid anything in the Melanochromis genus. Would I be dealing with psycho killers? Also I would have to order offline which means more $$$.
Third option:
Pseudotropheus Saulosi:
Pros: Stays small and that would be good for a 55 gallon. Males are nice looking and so are the females. I could also get these locally and they seem to be well mannered.
Cons: The addition of these would mean my demasoni would have to go and there could be problems with my white top hara. Too many vertical striped fish. I would have to watch the situation carefully and could have some compatibility problems.
Fourth option:
Pseudotropheus socolofi (albino)
Pro: Nice solid white fish that will contrats great with my decore. My demasoni could stay and no stripes in sight for anyone to get mad about. These guys seem middle road as far as aggression goes and I think they would play nicely.
Cons: I don't think I could get them locally so I would have to order offline, $$$. They seem to get bigger than my other options.
Final choice:
Labidochromis caeruleus
Pros: I know this species will work in my tank. They are not very aggressive and look nice as well. Easy to get.
Cons: This is my least favorite option. Labs are so common and it can be difficult to get a nice strain. This is really a last option for me.
Other: I am open to any other suggestions.
