Cichlids that go well with demasoni and salvini

[SalviniCichlidFan]

So recently I had to put my blood parrot in another tank because his fins were tattered from my demasoni. As such, I'm looking for a replacement fish species that can withstand aggression from both my demasoni and my salvini (my salvini is relatively peaceful) AND is also in the 3-7 inch range.

Options I'm considering:
- jewel cichlid
- male convict
- another mbuna

 

[Sinister-Kisses]

My question is...why the heck are you keeping an African demasoni with a CA salvini? So my answer would be none of the above unless you split into two tanks.

 

[duanes]

My question is...why the heck are you keeping an African demasoni with a CA salvini? So my answer would be none of the above unless you split into two tanks.

I agree with this.
One of my favorite tanks was a strikingly beautiful demasoni colony, of at least 3 generations in the same tank, and had "no" other species.
It had a large pile of rock work, surrounded by clumps of African Bolbbitus moss, and evolved between a population between 8 and 20 individuals, constantly breeding.

I don't find to demsoni to be great cichlid community spieces.
In nature in the Pembro rocks, a group of demasoni will stake out a territory of about 20 sq. ft

I especially don't believe demasoni belong with Mexican cichlids like salvini, or Amatitlania although they will tolerate the same water parameters.

They are not found in the same softer water parameters as jewel cichlids, so in my biotope mindset, they do not belong together, either.

I personally find mishmash cichlid communities especially those that don't inhabit the same water parameters or the same colonial habitats irritating to my eyes.

 

[SalviniCichlidFan]

I agree with this.
One of my favorite tanks was a strikingly beautiful demasoni colony, of at least 3 generations in the same tank, and had "no" other species.
It had a large pile of rock work, surrounded by clumps of African Bolbbitus moss, and evolved between a population between 8 and 20 individuals, constantly breeding.

I don't find to demsoni to be great cichlid community spieces.
In nature in the Pembro rocks, a group of demasoni will stake out a territory of about 20 sq. ft

I especially don't believe demasoni belong with Mexican cichlids like salvini, or Amatitlania although they will tolerate the same water parameters.

They are not found in the same softer water parameters as jewel cichlids, so in my biotope mindset, they do not belong together, either.

I personally find mishmash cichlid communities especially those that don't inhabit the same water parameters or the same colonial habitats irritating to my eyes.

Yeah, I might put my demasoni in its own tank for the time being. I thought salvini were aggressive, but this demasoni is at a whole different level. I guess there's a reason why this fish was labelled as a "donation fish" at the LFS.

 

[KeepsWaterAndSomeFish]

I like previous posters would not mix species that differ so greatly. Giving both species their own aquarium is the best thing in my opinion, if you were to do so there would be much greater choice of tankmates and far more appealing setups available to you. With their need to adapt to very different circumstances the behaviour has changed dramatically. Personally I don't believe that Demasoni like many mbuna are actually more aggressive than Salvini in this case but it is the way in which they have evolved that leads to a totally different form of aggression. Understanding the way in which they behave and allowing the species you own to behave naturally, providing them with the means to do so is what we should all aim for. Many cichlids will take control of a certain object such as a cave and hold this structure from rivals etc but not another piece of hardscape if it's far enough away (this tends to be common among American cichlids) but with a large amount of rift lake species they do not hold one specific cave/rock/wood as their territory to the same extent and rather their territory includes the space in close proximity to themselves as spawning can occur without the need to hold a particular site, often the sand below them will suffice if a male has successfully courted a female thus meaning the need to protect the space around these species is greater and a flat surface/rock/crag is not as vital leading to less tolerance of other fish being close by. Risk vs reward decides the outcome leading to Demasoni being "more aggressive" frequently but less willing to commit to defend a cave or the like.

 

[duanes]

You may be wondering why such a small cichlid species such as demasoni, requires, defends, and inhabits such a large territory in nature (20 ft sq)?
It's because they are algae farmers, and maintain enough space and certain type crop, in an area for they, and their family group to live comfortably.
Any alien species that munches on their crop, needs to be driven away, or eliminated.
They will at times, allow another species that specializes in different algal form to share, because it is of mutual benefit to both species (like weeding).

Just randomly combining cichlids because we like their looks, (beside not taking into account) their territorial spacial needs is one the the reasons, we see so many aggression tank failures.
Neetroplus neematpus, is a sort of new world demasoni equivalent.
A similar size, similar shaped, aggressive new world territorialist.