Neolamprologus Multifasciatus , Brevis, Hecqui

[kribensis12]

I am getting a 40g high from a guy I know in the next month. He also has these different shellies:

Lamprologus multifasciatus
Neolamprologus brevis
Lepidiolamprologus hecqui

Which one do you think I should get?

 

[kiriyama]

Hi, the Multifasciatus can go in a much smaller tank (10 - 20 gallon) as can the Brevis, the Brevis require fewer shells, both these fish would be very peaceful in a 40 gallon allowing you to put in mid to top fish. Saying that though Hecqui do look an interesting species and although larger and more aggressive could be mixed with some of the slightly larger and boisterous Tangs, check out this link , very interesting, let us know how you get on, always nice to see new tanks...
http/www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Neolamprologus_hecqui.php

 

[kribensis12]

Whatever tank I was planning on putting the fish in, they'd be the bottom dwellers. I really like the Hecqui, but they are too aggressive for me. I am afraid that they will attack the other fish in the tank.

 

[kiriyama]

Understandable, think they are compatible with Lelupi and Julidochromis, if you're not sure then I would strongly recommend the Mulitfasciatus, I have 6 and they are very intersting fish to keep and watch, I belive if they breed they become a colony rather than attacking the young, good luck...
You would only be able to keep a few of the Hequi anyway because of aggression, I believe a lot of people have had success with Brevis, the sunspot are very nice, don't require as many shells either,

 

[kribensis12]

That's true. I am just looking for something that won't kill any other fish, especially if I put them in my cichlid fry tank with kribs hopefully (they bred once, but unsuccessfully), Brichardi (breed every 2 weeks, but they are two young to have a successful batch), and possibly livebearers such as swordtails and mollies (adult). I think the N. Multifasciatus would be very interesting fish, but I think the N. Brevis would be as well. I'm conflicted!

 

[kiriyama]

Don't know if I've picked you up roght, correct me if I'm wrong, I once asked about keeping Multis with Kribs and was told its a big no no, there are lots of op to mid dweller Tangs out there, although I have found information either limited or conflicting depending on which site visited. Best bet if your LFS isn't big on Tangs etc check out TropicalFishFinder or Trimar or the like then you can google the species etc. On a further note I have heard thet Brevis are less aggressive than Multifasciatus but you would probably only be able to keep to pairs of Brevis in the Tank to prevent in fighting...
AAAAHHH Cichlids.....

 

[kribensis12]

I was only talking about krib fry. I would end up selling them before they got bigger than the N. multifasciatus. I believe those are what I'm getting.

 

[kiriyama]

I was only talking about krib fry. I would end up selling them before they got bigger than the N. multifasciatus. I believe those are what I'm getting.

Sorry, as I said may have picked you up wrong, sure that would be ok.........

 

[kribensis12]

It's okay. That is also assuming these kribs will breed again, and successfully. If not, then there are no problems there.

 

[dave_oddballs]

im quite sure if you put two different types of fry together one would try to kill the other, not to mention they need totally different water parametres

 

[kribensis12]

The water parameters would be assuming they were kept in two different water parameters. They will not be. My kribs are in a pH of 8.4 and so will the multi's. I am still waiting on krib fry.

 

[dave_oddballs]

but kribs aren't meant to be in a ph of 8.4, they are meant to be somewhere around neutral, thats quite a big difference and could be the answer to why you haven't had fry, considering they are amongst the easiest of cichlids to breed something isn't right. if you read up on them there is people that have bred them at a ph of around 8.0 but almost all the fry end up being the same sex, so it does affect them in some way. in nigeria they have even been found in brackish waters so can happily live in all sorts of conditions but they are most happy at neutral and this is where people have the most success breeding them. obviously if you get one of the tanganyikan shellies you may have better luck as ph 8.4 is good for them, but the 2 shoudldn't be mixed, either as adults or fry.

 

[kribensis12]

I have bred kribs before. I am aware that they are not meant for my pH. As adults, no. The kribs would be 3 times the size as multi's, but as fry, I don't see the harm.

 

[kiriyama]

Whoa Whoa ding ding back in your corners please... lol
Are Kribs bottom dwellers as well???

 

[kribensis12]

haha. Yes they are, I figured that since they are younger, they would hold their territory with the multi's, until I sold them off.