Lake Malawi Species • My yellow lab & Demonsoni tank

[Chrislisk]

I understand what you mean by length is what is used to determine stock level....does width not count too? Wider better too surely to allow more space for territories to be taken.

I will up my water changes to 50% from now on as I’ve been doing about 75 litres out of 200, but then there are a lot of rocks so 50% of what water is actually in there could be 75 litres if that makes sense or maybe I am over thinking all this.

Yes I have learned OB peacocks are hydrid with Mbuna, loads of people saying that’s why they mix better with them as they are more aggressive and can take the aggression but assuming the numbers of my demasoni they won’t be paying much attention to the peacocks.

I’ve read Peacocks could but rarely only breed with Mbunas.

[DJRansome]

The length is most important because chases may be abandoned after 36". So a 40" tank allows a few inches beyond the chase zone. The longer the tank, the more escape space.

Width is less important because it is usually less than 36" inches.

A long tank allows for fewer neighbors...end of the tank has 3 isolated sides and only a neighbor on one side.

Enjoy your tank!

[Chrislisk]

Ok well I’ll start planning my next tank now lol.

[ken31cay]

The length of the tank is the primary determining factor for stocking as the fish want to claim a territory on the substrate.

I would not do water changes less than 50% weekly and often do 75% weekly. If you need to do them more often, you will know if nitrates go above 20ppm.

Yes, you have peacock males in the tank which will want to spawn and may be successful in doing so with any female mouthbrooder in the tank. Did you know that OB peacocks are already half mbuna?

You are better off going 100% with advice from one source (maybe the good/large outlet in the UK) and not trying to get consensus from all sources. It will just frustrate you.

Good information/advice!

[Chrislisk]

Thanks for all the advice. I stocked my demasoni on what you have said and I will get rid of the weaker fish as and when they get rejected. Thank you

[Chrislisk]

So nearly a month on and I still have 14 demasoni juveniles and none so far have been beaten out of the colony. All are feeding well and I can’t see any that are being pushed to the corners or are being excessively picked on. There is one clear alpha not the largest but very black and flares his fins a lot! Shows all he is the boss. How long before the colony start to get the numbers down? Just added a new canister so they are all loving the additional filtration at the moment.

[DJRansome]

Could be six months or nine months or closer to a year.

[Chrislisk]

Thanks ransom! Also at what age do they become active for breeding?

[DJRansome]

As small as 1.5".

[Chrislisk]

Some interesting behaviour over the past few days....two or three demasoni are hanging out at one of the filters. They are not feeding on any algae just chilling out there. Is this possibly some that have been kicked out the group or starting to be or just it is where they like to hang out. Thanks

[DJRansome]

They are being harassed. They would not choose that territory...they are being driven there.

[Chrislisk]

Ok so these would seem to be the start of some being driven from the colony. Do I monitor this over a few days and then remove? I have a small 20g tank which I have set up for fry to move them too before I re home them. Thanks for your help

[DJRansome]

Yes monitor. Make sure you see every fish eat every time you feed them.

You want to be sure you keep as many females as possible. It is hard to determine gender, but keep this in mind. You may want to consider rehoming the most aggressive one as a way to know you are most likely rehoming a male.

[Chrislisk]

Hi

What’s your thoughts on putting my BN plec back in the main tank with the demasoni?

[DJRansome]

Should work but add 3 fish at once.