Sab_Fan;4170027; said:
I'd also point out that we probably shouldn't assume when someone says they have "Africans" that they are necessarily Rift Lake cichlids;
True, 'African cichlid' doesn't refer exclusively to only cichlids from the rift lakes but when someone says they have 20-25 African cichlids that they are moving from a 35 to a 75 gal., I think it's a logical assumption that they they are referring to mbuna, given the high stocking density. At least I would hope there not refferring to fishes like Tilapia buttikoferi, Hemichromis elongatus, or Oreochromis mosambicus
I've mixed the 2 many times over the course of many years, with out any real problems. In fact, over the years, I've seen far more aggression problems between rival male CA or even amongst mbuna, then between each other. IMO, the majority of problems experienced by aquarists when mixing the two probably has most to do with introduction ----- aggressive mbuna can sometimes establish themselves in minutes of being introduced where as many CA/SA can take many days before they truely feel comfortable in a tank.
And of course the particular species of mbuna chosen will make a huge difference as auratus or kenyi are in a totally different league in comparison to a yellow lab or rusty, for example. No doubt, most JD will have a problem standing up to auratus or kenyi, even with a weight advantage. I have yet to see mature pairs of jewel cichlids stand up to male auratus, and even female kenyi have given them enough problems at times that they were unable to claim territory. But I have yet to have mature pairs of cons that couldn't defend from male auratrus, and my male sals have had no problem handling any mbuna.
You can see from the following pic, measured at 5", the male auratus is not that small. Of course doesn't mean all cons have the ability to defend against one and in most cases a less aggressive species of mbuna would make a better choice.
