Demasoni And Chipokae As Tankmates?

[Gatorbait]

In the near future I'm hoping to set up a 55g Mbuna tank.

I've never had a demasoni before but always wanted one as I think they're the best looking freshwater fish. All the tankmates aren't sorted yet but I know for sure there will be a chipokae.

Not having any experience with demasoni, can anyone tell me if they would be ok with a chipokae?

 

[Ferris]

Nothing is guaranteed with either species - they could be fine or all hell could break loose. I did have 2 adult males together (1 Chipokae, 1 Demasoni) for a while in a mixed male tank and the 2 rarely bothered each other - just beat up on the others occasionally

I would give it a try with the usual backup plan of returning/re-homing 1 fish if serious problems arise. Just make sure the other tankmates can cope with those 2.

 

[Gatorbait]

Thanks Ferris! I knew you or jayjay would know.

I'll try it out as you know I really want one. lol

I was just wondering if they, in general, had a chance to hang with the agressiveness of a chipokae. Now that I know there could be a chance I'll try it and hope for the best.

I've had pretty good luck with chipokae's in the past other than a couple that went WAY too berserk when they hit their pshyco stage. (knocks on wood)

 

[Ferris]

Demasoni should cope fine with Chipkoae up to the young adult stage. The problem after that is the Chipokae will outgrow the Demasoni by a couple of inches and will almost certainly become dominant - if the Demasoni doesn't back down (not normally in their nature) thats when the fun and games will start and things probably won't work out - very much down to the individual fish temperament though.

 

[Gatorbait]

Oh dang. That's what I was wondering. I didn't know the size demasoni got or their temperament. I've lost other fish in the past when they wouldn't back down to the chipokae. As long as the other fish always backed down I didn't have a problem with the chipokae's I had. I could never overcome the problem when they wouldn't tho.

I'll give it a shot but keep a real close eye on the demasoni. Thankfully, the lfs I go to always allows me to bring in whatever I want since they know I try a lot of different things.

Have you (or anyone?) ever kept these two successfully?

BTW, great info you've given me. Thank you.

 

[Ferris]

I did have 2 adult males together (1 Chipokae, 1 Demasoni) for a while in a mixed male tank and the 2 rarely bothered each other - just beat up on the others occasionally

These 2 we're together with no serious issues for just under 12 months and both we're full-grown adults.

 

[Gatorbait]

I did have 2 adult males together (1 Chipokae, 1 Demasoni) for a while in a mixed male tank and the 2 rarely bothered each other - just beat up on the others occasionally

These 2 we're together with no serious issues for just under 12 months and both we're full-grown adults.

lol sorry about that. As soon as I posted I remembered you said that.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to give it a shot and I'll let you know how it goes. Hopefully in 2 months I'll be doing this.

 

[Ferris]

Yep keep us posted - i always like to hear anything about these 2 species.