Cichlid Genus

[Yanks15]

Do cichlids from the same genus have the same temperment? Does a labidochromis caeruleus act the same as a labidochromis chisumulate? Or labidochromis sp. Textilus?

Same with pseudotropheus acei and pseudotropheus elongatus?

Thanks for the info.

Also, do any of you use liveaquaria.com as a compatibility reference for your cichlids?

 

[dthoffsett]

Nope and nope. Temperment can range from peaceful to psychotic within a genus, and while Live Aquaria is a good place to purchase fish, IMO they aren't very accurate with adult size, tank requirements and compatability.

I prefer to use the articles on cichlid-forum and the experience of members here to determine compatability.

L.caeruleus - typically very peaceful (by mbuna standards of course) and multiple males will usually do well together.
L.chisumulate - a bit more aggressive than L.caeruleus
Labidochromis textilis - possibly even more peaceful and shy than L.caeruleus

Pseudotropheus Acei - also quite peaceful, multiple males get along well, tend to be a top dweller as opposed to most mbuna
Pseudotropheus elongatus - pretty aggressive species, probably not at the level of most Melanochromis, but they really should be kept with only 1 male per tank with IMO at least 4 females, similar looking species should also be avoided.

 

[Yanks15]

Thanks for the info dthoffsett Another question......do you see any problem with a mixture of these guys listed if the tank was long enough and had plenty of hiding places? Or more to the point, what size tank would I need to keep all of them?

Thanks.

ps. I will answer your question with a question..... " which do you mean, a european or african swallow? " answer..." well, I don't know....aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

 

[dthoffsett]

ps. I will answer your question with a question..... " which do you mean, a european or african swallow? " answer..." well, I don't know....aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

One of my all time favorite movies.

I don't see a problem with the P.acei & P.elongatus, but Labidochromis species are notorious for interbreeding so I'd stick with just one of them. And because of the size of the acei and temperment of the elongatus I'd suggest getting a 75gal.

 

[Yanks15]

Easily one of my favorites too!

I've been playing around with the possible list so I wasn't really stuck on the elongatus or the acei. Although I do like the ngara white tale acei. If I can manage to have some ordered, assuming they aren't too expensive, I'd really like to get them. I have been checking out cichlid forum and getting ideas for compatability. Do you use this forum? I thought they would have more info on each species but maybe I haven't looked over it enough.

 

[Yanks15]

Sorry double post

 

[dthoffsett]

Easily one of my favorites too!
I have been checking out cichlid forum and getting ideas for compatability. Do you use this forum? I thought they would have more info on each species but maybe I haven't looked over it enough.

I used them all the time, great wealth of information. IMO asking other mbuna keepers is the best way to find out what is compatible, stocking mbuna is really an art form.

 

[Yanks15]

I'm starting to believe the art thing. It really depends on who you talk to about compatibility. I almost think it becomes trial and error although I really don't want to do that. I know there are plenty of people here that have the experience with these guys so I'll probably be asking alot more questions.

Please be patient

THANKS.