[why_spyder]

I'll speak up on the Ps. sp. "perspicax orange cap" (aka Red Top Ndumbi).

The males are a great looking mbuna and they stay smaller in size. They do have some drawbacks, however. Their colors can really dull down if they are not one of the dominanting species (more on this later). Females are fairly drab and plain - but aren't too bad compared to some females in the mbuna group.

Males are aggressive - plain and simple. If they don't start out dominant - there is a good chance they will find a way to be on top. My males are relentless in the pursuit of staking out a spot in the tank. For this reason - my males hardly ever stop showing great colors.

I would try for 2M/4F+ in a 75, if you go with them.

 

[why_spyder]

I think they would be. Here is what I have in my tank right now:

Aulonocara sp. Lwanda

Copadichromis geertsi Gome
Copadichromis melas

Cynotilapia sp. black mbamba Lupingu
Cynotilapia sp. hara Gallireya Reef
Cynotilapia sp. lion Lion's Cove
Cynotilapia sp. mbamba Mphanga Rocks
Labeotropheus fuelleborni Katale
Labidochromis chisumulae
Labidochromis hongi
Maylandia sp. red top Galilea/Gallireya Reef
Pseudotropheus sp. "perspicax orange cap" Ndumbi

Synodontis petricola

I used to have Ps. demasoni and Ps. saulosi in there as well - and the Ps. sp. "perspicax orange cap" were dominate over them. The Ps. sp. "perspicax orange cap" are one of the top dogs in the tank right now - but have settled down quite a bit since I added more females.

 

[why_spyder]

so do you think they might be alittle too aggressive for the labs? its an office tank so i'm going for some minimal maintance.

What are your thoughts about the ice blues, acei, and socolofi? would the demasoni's harass the ice blues because of the barring or are do you think they are enough different?

also, all four will not readily cross breed with the labs will they?

They will be aggressive - but I think they would work with the Lab.'s and the Ps. demasoni.

I would try to stay away from the M. greshakei and Ps. socolofi, as they tend to get a bit bigger in size, and can be aggressive as well. Ps. acei are relatively peaceful and would do fine with the Lab.'s and Ps. demasoni.

Any mouthbrooder can cross with another - but I think the likelihood is low as long as the proper male/female ratios are kept.

 

[why_spyder]

Grabbing extra and sorting out extra males is the cheapest way - and many fish stores (at least in my area) will take extra males - since they are the ones that show color. :wink: