Alternatives to demasoni

2779 Views 11 Replies 7 Participants Last post by noki, Mar 31, 2018

toxicmegakitten

Discussion Starter · Mar 25, 2018

I have a large (300G) mixed tank with mild mannered mbuna and Auloncara, not much aggression. I love the color and size of demasoni, but worry they may stress the others, especially the peacocks? Any good alternatives? Female Kenyi (give back the ones that turn yellow)? I would think the females are not nearly as aggressive as the males? Pseudotropheus Minitus? Though the females look very drab to me. Ideally a species that will max out at 2.5 to 3 inches.

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noki

· #2 · Mar 25, 2018

The Demsoni mostly fight among themselves and ignore other fish. Not clear what size tank you have 75G? 300 liters or gallons?

Saulosi are great if you can find good fish, thou aquarium strains can have wimpy barred looking males and faded females.
Cynotilapia "afra" types can have incredibly cool males that more than make up for the "ugly" females. It's fun to watch the males color up to full, compared to static monomorphic fish.
Labidochromis "Mbamba" are pretty cool, females are dark.
There are many cool Elongatus types. Chewere don't seem to get too large. The Elongatus Ornatus/Likoma have very nice barring with good quality fish, and females are sorta yellowish and in nature they are not a large Mbuna.

Kenyi female can still be a pain and adult females rarely look as nice as those easy to sell glowing blue juveniles. Adult females can even get drab ugly yellow. Avoid.
Not sure you can even find actual Minutus very easily. Don't think they color up as well as the Cynotilapia or Elongatus, hence they are not very common.

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toxicmegakitten

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 25, 2018

Very helpful thanks!

Profile is old. 300 gallon.

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Hock

· #4 · Mar 26, 2018

Chewere are still one of my fav Mbuna. The striking contrast of the males and the females still get alittle color makes them a cool addition to a tank that size. But, i would only add them in if you had any type of rocks as they do like a rocky habitat and like to dig and make their own "caves" in the sand under the rocks.

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Cyphro

· #5 · Mar 26, 2018

How about maingano? Similar color and size to demasoni but not so aggressive.

@Hock, what do the female chewere look like?

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Champagne4us

· #6 · Mar 26, 2018

toxicmegakitten said:
I have a large (300G) mixed tank with mild mannered mbuna and Auloncara, not much aggression. I love the color and size of demasoni, but worry they may stress the others, especially the peacocks? Any good alternatives? Female Kenyi (give back the ones that turn yellow)? I would think the females are not nearly as aggressive as the males? Pseudotropheus Minitus? Though the females look very drab to me. Ideally a species that will max out at 2.5 to 3 inches.

I love female Kenyi! Yes they work great in my tanks. Even adding small ones. Haps as well! I added large Tiawan Reefs and doing great. But you want blue stripes. I just bought 2 Protomelus Insignus Haps, no simple nickname I'm sorry, and they are doing great as well. They are only 1.5". Cool part is I swear they are Demasonis! The male colored up the next day but I don't have Demasonis! So it's him. Check them out. Also a cool male to add in is a male Blue Lips. He is doing great as well and looks so cool! The problem I seem to have is more with mixing small or med Male Peacocks. Can't reallt find too many that will merge as easy. I'd put 2 very large giraffes in early on, not realizing 2" meant 4-5"! And they did great! Love their colors. Stay away from Male a Red Zebras lol. Only problem child I've had since day one. Tank boss and chases everyone to this day! Good luck! Ps you want a Venustus giraffe never a Vc10! Look alike but VC10 are killers. Lol

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Champagne4us

· #7 · Mar 26, 2018

toxicmegakitten said:
I have a large (300G) mixed tank with mild mannered mbuna and Auloncara, not much aggression. I love the color and size of demasoni, but worry they may stress the others, especially the peacocks? Any good alternatives? Female Kenyi (give back the ones that turn yellow)? I would think the females are not nearly as aggressive as the males? Pseudotropheus Minitus? Though the females look very drab to me. Ideally a species that will max out at 2.5 to 3 inches.

Oh Oh Oh! I forgot I added 2" Blue Mainganos to my tank! Check them out! Awesome vertical blue stripes. Really stand out! No one bothered them at all! Their are 2 different ones that look the same so be sure it's the right ones. Not Sure how the others will do. Just remembered!! You will love these!

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toxicmegakitten

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 29, 2018

Anyone have thoughts on White Top Hara?

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DJRansome

· #9 · Mar 29, 2018

Hara is less aggressive than demasoni but not an overly timid mbuna. What other mbuna and what peacocks are in there already?

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punman

· #10 · Mar 29, 2018

My experience with Malawi is not as extensive as my Tanganyika fish but my vote would have gone for saulosi. I have had demasoni too, but saulosi is less aggressive from my experience.

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toxicmegakitten

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 31, 2018

DJRansome said:
Hara is less aggressive than demasoni but not an overly timid mbuna. What other mbuna and what peacocks are in there already?

Yellow labs, Acei, BiColor 500, Some OB Peacocks, Flametail Ngara, Dragon Blood, African Jewel, a Livingstonii (thankfully he doesn't eat the little guys) Red Jake, Cobalt Blue, baby Venstus, Starry Night, Sunshine, Eureka Red, Sulfur head. Its a 300G so I have room for more.

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noki

· #12 · Mar 31, 2018

If you have a big long tank, you probably could get away with Demasoni, since they can spread out pretty well, which is what they want. But you tank is kind of a mixed mix, you really should cater for a few types to be at their best and then stock the tank around that. You could have some spectacular medium to large Hap males, instead of going the Mbuna route.

As for large predators, it is probably overstated that they will just swallow other fish, but be aware they will keep growing if healthy and get large. You should plan for larger fish group or smaller fish group. A nice school of Acei would be good for a large tank.

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