DJRansome said:
I have had luck with 3 males in a 48" tank but not always.
I've had 2, 3 and 4 males in different tanks to begin with.......but ended up removing extra males (and /or some getting killed) and found one male per tank to work much better.
I sort of think that multiple males, for the most part, are probably at the core of most people's problems with demasoni. Also a reason why they need so darn many in the tank to squash their aggression.
Nothing against starting with large numbers to begin with, but I really don't believe in the magic number 12. I've broken this rule in 4 tanks for over 3 years now with virtually no problems. I think a more traditional ratio of 1 male to 2-6 females works just as well as it would for any mbuna. IMO, key is to identify and get extra males out quick enough before it becomes a real problem.
I think this is worth a read:
http://www.cichlidforums.com/showthread.php?43297-Twelve-demasoni-minimum Had I not read it, I would not have even tried demasoni. I originally started with 6 demasoni ( 2m: 4f)and got batches of fry with in a couple months from purchase. They are prolific, so i could have as many as I like but keep them this way: 75 gal- 1m: 6f, 125 gal.- 1m:4f. 180 gal.- 1m:3f, 90 gal. had 1M: 3f but changed the tank to an all male so it is now a single male with the females moved to the 180 and 125 to make their current ratios.