S. Fryeri with Aulonocara in an All Male tank

[DJRansome]

Too many look alikes IME. Example borleyi and empress. Although I have not heard about fryeri killing peacocks, I HAVE heard of them causing the more timid haps like otopharynx and star sapphire from coloring well. With all male I have had better results choosing just the timid haps (my favorites) and peacocks for max coloring.

 

[A201]

For what it's worth, I keep a Borleyi & Empress together with no problems.
The Empress looks more like a smaller, more vividly colored Fusco.
I also keep a male Fusco in the mix & he does chase the Empress around, but no more than any other fish in the tank Lol.

 

[Joshuakahan]

I have been doing a lot of research over the last couple months to get ready for my new tank. The tank will be big (for me). 160 gallons roughly - although it is a tall. 57"x24"x30".

I want to put together an all male tank. I am not much interested in breeding right now. Stocking will be with Aulonocara, Otopharynx, Protomelas and some smaller haps from the Copadichromis and Placidichromis families. I am wondering about the Scieanochromis fryeri.

The Electric Blue is a beautiful fish and just about the right size for the tank I am putting together.

However, I have read several times that the Fryeri will kill off male Aulonocara "rivals". If there is a female in the tank, well, fish will be fish. But if I there are no females in the tank, do you find them to be murderous?
Will he go after a Cobue or Red Shoulder?

From my experience is that you will be fine, I’ve kept fryeri with azureus and Aulonocara and just had the usual aggression but I keep my tanks very heavily stocked and that seems to help with one being single out. In a 160 tall, I’d probably do 50 of those types, now if you went with larger haps, that number would come down. If you end up with any females, some times retailers get juiced fish that look like males at first, just give them away.

 

[BigBeardDaHuZi]

From my experience is that you will be fine, I’ve kept fryeri with azureus and Aulonocara and just had the usual aggression but I keep my tanks very heavily stocked and that seems to help with one being single out. In a 160 tall, I’d probably do 50 of those types, now if you went with larger haps, that number would come down. If you end up with any females, some times retailers get juiced fish that look like males at first, just give them away.

Do you think the star sapphire will fit? The footprint is 130 gallons + another 30 because it is tall.
I have been counting out Nimbochromis for tank size reasons too

 

[Joshuakahan]

Do you think the star sapphire will fit? The footprint is 130 gallons + another 30 because it is tall.
I have been counting out Nimbochromis for tank size reasons too

I’ve never kept star sapphire but I know an experienced breeder that has them in a 125 with Aulonocara without any issues. But it’s very heavily stocked, that’s the key in my opinion. Also keep very little decor, maybe just a few rocks to break up line of sight

 

[A201]

I've never kept a Star Sapphire either, but I do currently keep an adult male Nimbochromis Fusco in a 120 long. No problems.
IMO, Nimbochromis should be fine in a 160 tall.

 

[BigBeardDaHuZi]

I might look at the Nimbo's again then. I really like the looks of the Livingstoni. Right now, I am hoping/planning mostly 6 inchers with a couple big placidochromis/copadichromis. If I can swing a mellow tank boss, I'll be pretty happy.

 

[A201]

I've had my juvenile Livingstoni about a year. He is only about four inches long. A slow steady grower & relatively mellow.
The Fusco is two years old. Another slow grower & is a little over six inches long. Not mellow.

 

[Joshuakahan]

I might look at the Nimbo's again then. I really like the looks of the Livingstoni. Right now, I am hoping/planning mostly 6 inchers with a couple big placidochromis/copadichromis. If I can swing a mellow tank boss, I'll be pretty happy.

Have you thought about Placidochromis milomo? Very cool looking, pretty chill, and grow slow. I kept one with Aulonocara without a problem

 

[BigBeardDaHuZi]

Yeah, those are really cool. I really like the placi family.