[morningsky]

Hi, I am new at this so here goes. I have pasted my current list. I know I have very aggressive fish and I am looking at switching over to peacocks. I have a 1 Lemon Jake and 1 Benga, 2 Blue Ahli Haps in a holding tank. My LFS will trade the Mbuna, but I would like to keep the Fronts and Venustus along with Acei and yellow labs. Is this a recipe for disaster? Any input is appreciated.

Holding tank:
2-Sciaenochromis fryeri
Aulonocara baenschi
Aulonocara jacobfreibergi
Fish List
1 SYNODONTIS OCELLIFER
1 Melanochromis auratus
2 Labidochromis caeruleus
1 Melanochromis johannii
2 Metriaclima lombardoi
4 Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei"
2 Metriaclima estherae
1 Nimbochromis venustus
1 Pseudotropheus socolofi (Albino)
5 Botia macracantha (Clown loach)
2 Metriaclima livingstonii
2 Cyphotilapia sp. "North" (Burundi)
1 Synodontis eupterus

 

[morningsky]

any reply would be appreciated ...

 

[DJRansome]

Its a recipe for disaster.

 

[lotsofish]

I've been told by experts that the peacocks will lose color if there are aggressive fish in the tank with them. Haven't tried it to find out for myself.

 

[underdogg101]

I thought you could house Labs and Acei with peacocks since they are less aggressive Mnubas? I dunno.

 

[DJRansome]

I think the peacocks with the Acei and Labs would be OK. But Fronts like a species tank, eat mbuna for breakfast and are stressed by rambunctious fish like mbuna. Unsure about the Venustus in either mix (peacocks or Fronts).

 

[Gibbs]

Acei and yellow labs. are the only mbuna i would ever keep with peacocks. I would even try the Venustus in with peacocks to but do keep an eye on things and be prepared to remove the Venustus.
As for the fronts, No Way! As Djransom they prefer species only tank. It's pretty much unachievable

 

[morningsky]

Thanks. I did not know that the Fronts preferred a species tank, but it makes sense. If I could ask one more question..regarding peacock behavior? We have 2 in a holding tank.. our lfs has no problem on return..The question is regarding the behavior of the Lemon Jake...he looks healthy but he hides all the time in a rock cave and darts out only when the haps or Benga swim by..I said I think male ? ""lfs fish store said he was male," he is a juvenile about 2 inches. Is that a typical peacock behavior..this is what he does unless he is eating. As of right now all of the fish are thriving, but my husband I will decide today to either buy more aquariums or decide the best fish mix :-?

Thanks again for all your advice..this forum is awesome!

 

[james1983]

the jake may just be getting use to the new tank if he hasnt been there long. i would also only go with one fryeri, i hear they get pretty mean sometimes. labs and acei are fine with peacocks so are rusties if you can get them. most haps work pretty well too, i have a Dimidiochromis compressiceps, taiwan reef, and fryeri with my peacocks and everything is fine.

 

[Gibbs]

Your Jake may have set up territory in that cave, by saying he darts out as other fish swim by does he dart out as if he wants to have a go or as if he is running scared.
Lemon Jakes usually have no trouble at all fitting in because of their aggresive nature so he should be ok, it's the others you have to worry about

 

[Gibbs]

oopps

 

[BLACK_AFRICAN]

Quote: Underdogg

"I thought you could house Labs and Acei with peacocks since they are less aggressive Mnubas? I dunno."
_________________________

Not an expert, but from my experience watching another tank, I found the Acei Lwala" is too robust for the peacocks.

Also, if there is a Lab. Perlmutt (med - lg.) He (Lab) seems to co-exist with the peacocks, but the dominant male peacock will not fully exhibit his colours until you remove the Lab. Tested removing the Lab and in less than 5 mins. the dominant Peacock's colour were off the chain, 4th of July fireworks :dancing: The dominant male Peacock started ruling the tank.

The Lab & Acei create too much action. They will swim back and forth swiftly in patterns and make you dizzy, so just imagine how intimidating this is for the poor peacocks.

From what I've read, the Perlmutt is more agressive than the Yellow Lab, so that may have been a contributing factor.

 

[hollyfish2000]

P. acei and labs have a reputation of being just fine in peacock/hap tanks, which has been my experience. They are not aggressive and are not more active than the other tank inhabitants. I personally wouldn't keep any other mbuna with my peacocks/haps (except rusties). Your numbers are a bit off, as well. Labs, for instance, are not pairing fish and should be in some sort of group, 3-5, with genders not really mattering. Same with p. acei. With male peacocks and haps, you should only have one of each and even with that, not ones that look similar. It would seem to me that you should be doing some trading in at the LFS . . .

Hope this helps.

 

[morningsky]

Thanks again for the advice.

My fish list has changed a lot since this original post. I know I may have a few potential trouble fish with some of my mbuna, but so far I have added more peacocks and haps and traded in mbuna. Two of the peacocks are coloring up really nice. One of the haps has great color. The acei have spawned and I have a 30-40 fry. The future trouble spots possible are the Venustus (but I see them in peacock tanks a lot...hope it works for us too) the other problem is the Frontosa but they are only about 2 inches and we are on the look out for a separate aquarium for them. The Pseudotropheus socolofi (Albino) is probably the most aggressive right now so he is a potential for trade at the lfs. As far as the 2 Sciaenochromis fryeri they are still small and I am waiting to see which one has better color. The yellow labs( not really yellow labs-I have since found out they are poor quality/hybrids) I would not want to trade in or cull them so far I think they are both males, but I am not sure. So this is my current fish list:

SYNODONTIS OCELLIFER
1 Aulonocara (Rubescens) male
1 Otopharynx lithobates
2 Labidochromis caeruleus /hybrid?
1 Aulonocara baenschi male
3 Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei"
1 Nimbochromis venustus (female)
1 Pseudotropheus socolofi (Albino)
1 OB Peacock male
1 Aulonocara jacobfreibergi (Lemon Jake) male
2 Cyphotilapia sp. "North" (Burundi)
1 Synodontis eupterus
2 Sciaenochromis fryeri (Hap Ahli)
4 Botia macracantha (Clown loach)
1 Pundamilia nyererei male
1 Protomelas taeniolatus