Pseudotropheus saulosi tank?

[ECH2005]

As a few of you know, I am working on a cichlid tank but i just cant get my mind made up! at first i was going to go with what semper fi suggested, labs and rustys. But then i thought that it would be somewhat of a dull looking tank, yellow and brown. Then I found these guys, Pseudotropheus saulosi! The males are an awesome blue with black stripes, while the females are bright yellow. Very attractive fish!

So I was thinking of having maybe 1 male and 4 females. Think this is a good idea?
And is there any other cichlids that would go with these guys? If not I would be fine with just the saulosi's!

Hehe, I'm getting excited...

 

[vantgE]

what size tank and tankmates These would most likely work with the rusty's and labs but maybe not in a small tank, so more details on what your thinking of would help

 

[ECH2005]

its a 29 gal, which i know is kinda small, but I wasn't really thinking about having other cichlids( since there is no need to overstock if i only have one kind of cichlid, correct?)

sorry i didnt post this earlier, forgot

 

[semper fi]

the saulosi would also go with the others.

i admit that i did chuckle at your statement of the rusty. i thought the same thing. dull brown fish! boring! actually they are quite the opposite. they are a rather stunning fish.

http/www.giveusahome.co.uk/allpets/fish/rusty.htm

also the psuedotropheus tropheus is a nice fish that would fit in well as another option.

http/www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/photo...tis_lianos.html

even with one kind of cichlid you may have some kind of aggression. withthe less aggressive ones not as much. mbuna are more aggressive since most are polygamous harem breeders. meaning that they chose a harem of females and will try to spawn with them. they stick to the females within their harem. if they have more females to chose between their focus is not on one particular female.

 

[vantgE]

Semper fi, Is an acie also a suitible option, I have suggested them here as I seem to remeber cichlidaddict mentioning them for more peacefull aquariums, and was thinking that they were rusties, but now I think not.. Do I remeber wrong?

Goodluck with your tank Echoe

 

[semper fi]

you are correct that pseudotropheus acei would be also suitable. it is a more peaceful cichlid. what is usually referred to as a rusty cichlid is iodotropheus sprengerae. different fish from the p. acei. p. acei has also two different color morphs. the most common being the yellow tail acei. the other color morph is the white tail acei.

 

[ECH2005]

wow, that rusty in the picture is really nice! I was under the impression that they'd look like this (picture taken from cichlid-forum):

well, i still have some time to think about it. I'm getting my tank next week (after getting my first paycheck ) so I won't be getting fish until it cycles.

 

[semper fi]

i thought the rusties were dull til i saw some in person. they are purple/red in color with brown. gorgeous fish though. males are more colorful than females.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Hey Echo


In a 29 gallon I'd say that if you choose the Saulosi it would be best to keep it as a species tank for the most part. Saulosi are a good choice because they stay a small size, an obvious plus in a small tank like this. As long as you only have one male it should work ok, though the tank is smaller then I'd recommend for any mbuna really.

That said, I would hardly say myself that a lab/rusty tank is dull. Rusties are brown and dull if you buy them young, but as they grow they develop a really unique color. They also have a very good temperment.

good luck with your choice

 

[ECH2005]

thanks alot everyone! i dont know what im gonna do yet, but your help is greatly appreciated