S. Fryeri with Aulonocara in an All Male tank

[BigBeardDaHuZi]

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?

 

[tlindsey]

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?

D deeda
james99
A201

 

[DJRansome]

With all male usually the goal is one of each and no look alikes. I have never heard fryeri will kill off aulonocara males.

 

[Milingu]

Which Otopharynx you want to keep?
I know some cases where the S. fryeri killed Otopharynx lithobates. My impression is that the two species look different to us, but there is no big difference for the fish themselves.
But it always happened in the presence of at least one female. So I don't know how it would exactly work in an all male tank. But I would at least have a keen eye on them if they were kept together.

 

[tiger15]

I keep one male Fryeri with multiple male Aulonocara in a125. Fryeri and Aulonocara are closed in appearance I would assume they will see each other as rival. Surprisingly, the Fryeri and Aulonocara ignore each other, while the Aulonocara squabble among themselves. I have the more peaceful Aulonocara stuargranti experience. In another set up, such as if I had the more aggressive A Jacobfrybergi or if I introduce a female, the peace between Fryeri and Aulonocara may not hold, so YMMD.

 

[james99]

I've kept them in the past without any problems. They can be jerks, but nothing too bad. You may run into a problem if you try to keep them with oto. Lithobates, since they look similar the lithobates may not color up too much. I had one in a 4ft 65 gallon and a 6ft 125.

 

[A201]

I think the Fryeri gets a bad rap, simply due to its streamlined shape and jaw structure, giving it a mean, imposing look.
I kept a male Fryeri several years in tank stocked full of Aulonocara, Mbuna & other Haps w/ no unusual aggression problems.

 

[BigBeardDaHuZi]

Yeah, O. Lithobates was one of the first fish on my bucket list. I would really like an O. Tetrastigma too, if I can find one.

Right now, I am looking at:

1x Aulonocara Blue Neon (or a flavescent)
1x Aulonocara Maulan Bi-color 500
1x Aulonocara Hansbaenschi Red Shoulder
1x Aulonocara Cobue
1x Aulonocara Turkis
1x Aulonocara Stuartgranti Flametail
1x Aulonocara Kandeense (This one might not fit - I really want one, but the tank might be too rough
1x Aulonocara Jacobfreibergi Lemon Jake
1x Aulonocara Lwanda (Might have to pass on this one too for the opposite reason)

1x Otopharynx Lithobates
1x Otopharnyx Tetrastigma

1x Copadichromis Trewavasae
1x Copadichromis Azureus (If I can't find a Cobue, this would be really nice)
1x Copadichromis Geertsi (if I can find one - doubtful)
1x Copadichromis Borleyi

1x Protomelas Red Empress OR a 1x Protomelas Taiwan Reef
1x Protomelas Fenestratus

1x Placidochromis Star Sapphire
1x Placidochromis Electra
1x Placidochromis Johnstoni

I realize the star sapphire might be to big. Which sucks. It is probably the fish that I want the most. The Johnstoni is really high on my want list too. No, Nimbochromis for me, but I really want that color.

I am assuming I will have to thin out my Aulonocara list. Helpfully, I doubt I can find them all anyways.

Tank size 57"x24"x30"
Filtration - Big sump - wet/dry filter. Probably an internal filter in a corner too to help with mechanical filtration. It's in the living room and there is just no room for a canister.

Any thoughts?

 

[BigBeardDaHuZi]

Which Otopharynx you want to keep?
I know some cases where the S. fryeri killed Otopharynx lithobates. My impression is that the two species look different to us, but there is no big difference for the fish themselves.
But it always happened in the presence of at least one female. So I don't know how it would exactly work in an all male tank. But I would at least have a keen eye on them if they were kept together.

I like your Multi's. If I can get the wife to sign off on another tank, those are high on my list

 

[BigBeardDaHuZi]

Oh, and
1x Aulonocara Red Rubin