[Patate]

Hello, I've read that Alto. Compressiceps are often mixed up with Malawi cichlid, even if they're not from the same lake. Is it true ?

I know the PH is not the same, but very similar. I really like Compressiceps and Calvus but don't like other fish from Lake Tanganyika that well. If I could mix a pair of alto with either mbunas or peacocks, I'd be happy. My tank is 36"x12.5"x18,5", I think it's a 38 gallons.

I know mbunas are aggressive while peacocks are less agressive, but I'm not sure about the temper of Compressiceps. I've read conflicted opinions of their temper, some say they're calm and stay mostly immobile, while some other say they terrorize their whole tank. Any suggestion on how to populate my tank ? thanks!

 

[Patate]

Thanks for the reply !
I like the options of the the Chidongo Saulosi, but I want Calvus or Compressiceps. I'm open to the idea of a Tang community, but they lack colors. But yeah, I feel what you mean : A calvus with mbunas might not be the same as a Calcus with shelldwellers and rock dwellers. However, when you said there was no natural behavior in the malawi tank from the Calvus, what d'you mean besides it was not very active ? How different was he with his own ?
I'd love to get a Tang tank where every one is happy, but I most tangs are dull. I know their temper makes up for it, but they're all grey with some colored fins. So if I go with an all gray tank, shellies or Caudopunctatus will defend their fry, Calvus will try to sneak in and eat some fry anyways, and Cyps will be floating around not caring about anything happenning down below. Was is this different with your Calvus with Malawis ? I guess he was immobile and waiting for mBunas to make babies so that he could sneak in and get a taste of some, then either mbunas fight him, or he fight mbunas. That could be similar to what he'd do with Tangs ? If I'm wrong, please correct me !
What if I get a male Calvus / Compressiceps with some males mbunas, or males peacocks ? Would he get into a depression since he could not get any eggs or fry, or once feeded correctly he could have an happy live with them ?
My main goal here is Alto. Compressiceps. I know I could get him with some Julies, but I don't really like them : you get two, they're super territorial but also super skittish. Caudopunctatus seems nice, but they're not that much colored, same with Cyps and Paracypriomis.
When you say they could be okay by themselves, without Malawi, did you mind by themselves? If I could get a tank full of them, I guess I'd by happy, but I think they need to form a pair and that my tank would not be big enough for more than a pair, or for a harem... so I'd end up with..... 2 compressiceps, and maybe some babies ?
Please help me find something interesting that would include at least one Alto. Compressiceps, and..... anything else (unless I could go the harem route!)
Could I go with an all male tank, but avoir aggressive mbuna ? What about a Compressicep plus a few peaceful smallish peacocks ? I've read Maulanas are often in the 3 inches, could it work ? Like Calvus/Compressicep + 1x Maulana + maybe another smallish peaceful Peacock?
Thanks again!