[cholile]

Which combination would you prefer for a tank and why?

Don't think it matters for this particular question, but assume dimensions of the tank in the following range:
3' to 4' in length, 1' to 18" wide, and 1' to 18" tall.

 

[Chris2500DK]

I went with saulosis for my 40g tank because the labs get bigger than saulosis and the demasonis are more aggressive. For a larger tank I might have done demasonis/labs.

 

[pdub]

I have the Labs and Demasoni.

I just like the looks of the Demasoni better than the Saulosi's.

 

[DJRansome]

Demasoni and Labs because then the tank will have more blue.

 

[cichlidaholic]

Demasoni and Labs because then the tank will have more blue.

I agree. And if you can find some really nice quality demasoni, there's just no comparison, IMO.

 

[Super Turtleman]

Ditto! :thumb:

 

[cholile]

Demasoni and Labs because then the tank will have more blue.

This was what I was thinking. The reason someone was trying to convince me to go with saulosi instead was that then you'd have one species and you don't have to worry about the demasoni killing each other and the labs.

From what I've read here though, there's little risk in the latter happening as long as your tank is large enough (it sounds like 36" length is the minimum) and enough rocks with spaces for fish to escape are present.

I agree. And if you can find some really nice quality demasoni, there's just no comparison, IMO.

I've spent most of my time with haps and a little with peacocks. I've actually never seen a demasoni up close in person. Just happened to see a male saulosi when I went to the LFS today. It seemed pretty attractive. What is it that makes a quality demasoni stand out?

 

[pugwash]

What is it that makes a quality demasoni stand out?

Kinda the difference between a Ducati and MV Augusta. The salousi male's are blue/black (females yellow), whereas the Demasoni's are BLUE/Black. Dems are also more aggressive.

 

[cichlidaholic]

You're looking for nice strong barring, even in the smaller ones. The darker colours will come with age and settling in. You also want to watch the number of bars in demasoni - there seem to be alot of poor quality ones going around that have far too many bars.

The most common variant of demasoni is Pombo Rocks. They should have 5 bars. Mozambique should have 7. I wouldn't want to mix the two.