Daffodil and other Neolamprologus questions

[SalviniCichlidFan]

Hi,

I was just wondering what keeping Neolamprologus species like daffodil is like?

How aggressive are they compared to Mbuna and peacock cichlids?

How hardy are they compared to other cichlids?

Thanks

 

[DJRansome]

They are very aggressive when spawning...to the point of possibly killing everything in the tank except the spawning pair. Then they fill the tank with their own fry, which they will tolerate. For this reason the usual advice is to keep them in a species only tank. Just as hardy as other cichlids...the more common Tangs, mbuna, peacocks, etc.

 

[SalviniCichlidFan]

They are very aggressive when spawning...to the point of possibly killing everything in the tank except the spawning pair. Then they fill the tank with their own fry, which they will tolerate. For this reason the usual advice is to keep them in a species only tank. Just as hardy as other cichlids...the more common Tangs, mbuna, peacocks, etc.

If I only keep one daffodil so it doesn't spawn, what aggression level do you think it will normally be at compared to its yellow lab, yellow tail acei and peacock cichlid tank mates

 

[DJRansome]

I probably would not keep those 3 Lake Malawi fish together, and definitely not as singles. What are the dimensions of your tank and what are your test results for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate? Are they all male?

 

[SalviniCichlidFan]

75 gallon with pH of ~8ish, low ammonia nitrite and nitrate. Not sure about sexing the acei but the yellow lab and peacock are male.

 

[DJRansome]

What are your actual test results? How did you cycle the tank? I have combined Tangs with Malawi in an all-male tank before and it did not go well. They lost color and either hid or hovered in place like they were afraid to move and attract attention...not a contributing addition to the tank. I would skip the Tangs and instead add Malawi haps and peacocks. I like 12 individuals in a 75G for all male, as long as they all mature at six inches or less.