Lake Tanganyika Species • What's the diffrence between comp and caluvs?

[Jay808]

I currently have a inkin caluvs but I'm thinking getting some gold comp in a 30 gallon. What the diffrence between them?and there behavior? And if they should be kept alone or in a pair?

[prov356]

I currently have a inkin caluvs but I'm thinking getting some gold comp in a 30 gallon. What the diffrence between them?and there behavior? And if they should be kept alone or in a pair?

There are some physical differences like shape of the head and whether there are scales on the head, I believe. Behaviorally, I haven't seen any difference. In a 30, you can keep a single male with multiple females IME. Are you talking about mixing both comps and calvus in the same tank? You can if the m/f ratio is right, but they'll cross.

[m1ke715m]

the angle of the vomer is different (basically the slant of the nose) comps get bigger and have more barring and less spangles

[Shaky]

I've heard several times that the comps will harass the calvus, since they get bigger and meaner.

[DJRansome]

There is debate about it, but they are suspected to crossbreed and view each other as competitors. I've never kept them together, but it makes sense seeing that they are both Altolamps and look so similar.

[craziloki]

http://www.suephoto.com/index.php/serwis/strona/8/57 - nuff said

[prov356]

I've heard several times that the comps will harass the calvus, since they get bigger and meaner.

It could go either way depending on size and temperament of individual fish. I wouldn't generalize that comps harass calvus.

[Ptyochromis]

http://www.suephoto.com/index.php/serwis/strona/8/57 - nuff said

Best article ever

[24Tropheus]

Dunno what the articles say but mine seem happy enough together in a six foot tank. If anything the calvus push the comps about but then my calvus are still larger than my comps.

Yep I think I will separate em if any sine of rearing successfuly or hybridising seems likely.
The comps have bred but not the calvus which seems a little odd given the calvus are more mature.
Could be something in this not keeping em together after all?

[24Tropheus]

Just noticed you are keeping em in a 30g. No way would I expect two males one of each or two males of iether species to get on well enough to be kept together long term in a 30g.
Fine for growing on young up to about 21/2" (together or separatly) after that the males will start to want/hold territories too big for such a small tank to be kept multie male (well at least thats what I found growing mine on).

When the time comes I guess you will have to choise your fav or get another tank.

All the best James

[Ptyochromis]

[quote="24Tropheus"
Yep I think I will separate em if any sine of rearing successfuly or hybridising seems likely.
The comps have bred but not the calvus which seems a little odd given the calvus are more mature.
Could be something in this not keeping em together after all?[/quote]

Yup, keep your freezer ready

[24Tropheus]

[quote="24Tropheus"
Yep I think I will separate em if any sine of rearing successfuly or hybridising seems likely.
The comps have bred but not the calvus which seems a little odd given the calvus are more mature.
Could be something in this not keeping em together after all?

Yup, keep your freezer ready[/quote]

Are you suggesting that calvus and comps can not co exist in a 180g 72"x24"x24"?

[Fogelhund]

Are you suggesting that calvus and comps can not co exist in a 180g 72"x24"x24"?

They didn't co-exist too well in my flat 125 gallon... 72"x 18" x 24"... and I'm not sure the lower height makes any difference for Altos.

[24Tropheus]

Or just that it will not work in a 30g.?

[Fogelhund]

Or just that it will not work in a 30g.?

That is pretty much an agree upon certainly on not likely working.