Demasoni

[ripil]

hello. finally set up my malawi tank. i got 3 demasoni and 5 peacocks. the tank is 100x50x50cm. got two really nice rocks in there but i never see the demasoni so i was wondering what else. a nice red malawi would go in well hint hint help help thank. Richard

 

[onidrase]

I'm not really sure what to say aside from being really surprised your demasoni haven't killed each other yet. They're really aggressive to one another, typically best kept in groups of 12+.

What kind of peacocks do you have? I think they need bigger tanks in an average situation. I honestly don't know much about them though, they've never interested me.

Also, two rocks isn't really a lot. I've got about 30 of them, and that's for a tank which is going to have 6 julidochromis as rock dwellers, nevermind aggressive mbuna.

 

[Moby-Krib]

I'm not really sure what to say aside from being really surprised your demasoni haven't killed each other yet. They're really aggressive to one another, typically best kept in groups of 12+.

What kind of peacocks do you have? I think they need bigger tanks in an average situation. I honestly don't know much about them though, they've never interested me.

Also, two rocks isn't really a lot. I've got about 30 of them, and that's for a tank which is going to have 6 julidochromis as rock dwellers, nevermind aggressive mbuna.

Agreed that the Demon fish (demasoni) may well go ballistic eventually..
Kept in a Carefully monitored species tank or as individuals in a community they are more often than not one of the most aggressive of the genus.

What peacocks? what age? single species or a planed all male? you could mix Mbuna with them but you'll need a large tank. Do not stock peacocks as you would Mbuna. They get large and are well built, heavily finned fish, 1/2 as many compared to would be a safe bet.
The the genus Aulonocara is a beautiful and easily kept Affican species if you do it right...

So.. without a bit more info I cant really advise fully.
Suffice to say if you mix peacocks of differing genus then do not include females.. They will interbreed and you will have unsalable fry..

 

[ripil]

the two big rocks are enough one must weigh 30+ kilograms. had to take 36 litres of water out just to put them in. i did add four other rocks buy forgot to say. i got two 3cm demasoni and 1 5cm. they were labelled up as demasoni saulosi and i got told on here saulosi were fine to be kept with peacocks. the 5 peacock range from 6cm to about 8cm. had them altogether for three days and they don't even notice each other. fish shops do my head in!!!

 

[Moby-Krib]

removed as found to be slightly error-ed, and overly aggressive,

Apologies,.

 

[ripil]

thats what it said on the label in the shop. im guessing a bit with the weight. its twice as heavy as a sack of spuds that weigh 12.5kg. weight don't effect how much water i need to take out its the mass of the rock. weight equals density not coverage. swearing at me ain't going to help me or the fish is it. n their is no need to get stressed at my lack of knowledge. if i knew what i needed to know i wouldn't be asking. i'll try with some pics.

 

[onidrase]

The fish like to hide and dig between the rocks, not hide behind them. If I were you, I'd take those two big rocks in the back yard and smash them with a hammer, and use the scraps. The rocks don't have to be big, they just have to be plentiful. I've got 140 pounds of rock in my tank, they're not big rocks, they're just there to create cracks and crevices.

I'd also just take the saulosi/demasoni/whatever black and blue fish you have in there back to the shop. you're either gonna end up with demon fish or somewhat less demonic fish that hate each other cause they're not in a decent group with lots of girlies.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Demosani's are a highly aggressive dwarf mbuna. They only get to be about 2.5inches but they are hell re-incarnated into fish form when not properly kept. They need groups of 12 or more for starters. This not only keeps them from killing each other as the dominant fish will have 11 to chose from when he is in a mood, but if will keep females from being bullied to death when the urge to breed takes over. Second, 2 rocks? Really? Have you ever seen the areas in Lake malawi? Tons of intricate rockwork and caves lie in the demosani's natural environment, and this needs to be replicated, especially with those fish. They need to have places to hide. For their own safety and piece of mind.

I'm speaking from experience as a Mbuna keeper, and while my species aren't nearly as aggressive as Demosani, I have seen what strenght in numbers does as far as taming the dominant fish. I have tons of rocks and caves and this keeps the fish happy, as well as allows them to hide when they are in the path of an angry dominant. I suggest you research the fish prior to keeping them, and until you get your tank up to par as a suitable Mbuna tank, I would return the fish you currently have. It may see harmonious after three days, but those demosani will eventually kill each other. Its not a matter of if, but when.

 

[rifty]

I keep a trio of adult f1 demonsoni with no problems have done for 2 years in various setups I have 16 tanks heavy and light stocking with no issues so you might be ok! every fish is different in temprement and ive found them no more aggressive than other mbuna. the lack of rock might be stopping them from causing problems for each other also they wont bother your Aulonocara either infact they dont really bother other fish if they do kick off! i kept another goup of 16 demonsoni with my Aulonocara Mamelela and found no issues both bread and left each other alone. the best advice is keep an eye on them and choose a food such as NLS that will benifit both types of fish you keep Very different opinion to the other guys but maybe it will help you out

 

[ripil]

this rock i have is full of holes n bits all over it for the fish to hide. i can't take the fish back now as its been more than 48 hours. i researched the saulosi loads n also got told on here they would be ok. i just thought saulosi was the short name for them n demasoni saulosi was the full name. they looked similar n the label said demasoni saulosi for sure as i was over the moon as they ain't had them in before. should of really dawned of me as their was no yellow fish in the tank with them. can't workout how to put pics up again. but when i do ya should see that two big rocks and the 4 small ones is quite alot for the tank. na never seen lake malawi but the tank has alot more rock in it than some tanks i've seen online. suggestions as i can't take the fish back?

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I really think that you should find out exactly what type of fish they are or post pictures for proper ID as there is no such fish as a Demosani Saulosi.

 

[ripil]

yeah i know that now lol well after looking on google images and wiki when i got home with them. the uploading of pics on here is hit n miss. can never find the uploader n when i do it says file too large. i chop the pic then get moaned at as its poor quality. round n round we go lol

 

[Dieses Madchen]

upload your photos to photobucket. then post the image code

 

[ripil]

easier said than done. no matter what pic i mms or email all i get on photo bucket is the Vodafone symbol. where's the uploader on here pls? i've uploaded pics the other day but now the option ain't anywhere i can find it.

 

[onidrase]

any image uploading site will work fine.

I'd also think that if you did "research loads" on saulosi you would have known that their name doesn't start with "demasoni" and you wouldn't have only bought 3 males knowing full well that the young start out yellow and males turn blue, and don't get along well with each other without plenty of ladies to go around.