Tang and Malawi mixed tank?

[jcarson]

Hello and good morning MFK

I have zero experience with Tanganyikan fish and was curious if I could keep a male tropheus, say red bishop in a tank with peacocks and haps?

Are they that lakes "mbuna" and maybe too aggressive?

Thanks for your time. Have a great day.

 

[RD.]

Yes, but I wouldn't. Tropheus are in a league of their own when it comes to aggression (especially Tropheus sp. "black", which I'm assuming this is?), but while a single male may work, tropheus also have delicate gastrointestinal systems. So if in a comm tank it gets greedy, and stuffs itself repeatedly you will most likely have an issue.

 

[jcarson]

So when you say a league of their own when it comes to aggression does that mean they can get nasty?
And yes I was thinking of a single yellow band male.

 

[RD.]

Yes, they have sharp teeth, and know how to use them. IMO they are not a species to mix with peacocks and haps.

 

[AnthonyFish20]

Hello and good morning MFK

I have zero experience with Tanganyikan fish and was curious if I could keep a male tropheus, say red bishop in a tank with peacocks and haps?

Are they that lakes "mbuna" and maybe too aggressive?

Thanks for your time. Have a great day.

It should be alright used to have a few tropheous with some peacocks just keep an eye out on aggression.

 

[jcarson]

Yah im extremely cause the tank is used but it was full of water right before I got it

It should be alright used to have a few tropheous with some peacocks just keep an eye out on aggression.

So from what you and RD. are saying is that maybe a tropheus is best kept with mbuna and maybe some belligerent ob peacocks and not with peaceful haps like star saphires and red fin borleyi?

 

[RD.]

Tropheus are best kept with Tropheus. That's what the vast majority of people that have successfully kept Tropheus long term will tell you.

 

[neutrino]

Are they that lakes "mbuna" and maybe too aggressive?

Basically, yes. A lot of mbuna were originally called pseudo-tropheus before being classified into separate genera. Trophs are a thing to themselves and have their own learning curve. Generally kept in species tanks, I've occasionally seen them with other Tanganyikans in very big tanks. I have seen people try them (including singles) with Malawi fish, but with mixed results. Kind of a proceed at your own risk move. One of the hazards is if the troph(s) decide to get nippy and strip one or more of the Malawis of their fins.

 

[RD.]

I think I have seen almost everything there is to see when it comes to mixing lakes, and fish, and I have tried several not so smart things myself in years past. I have also seen odd mixes that worked, including a pair of Tropheus (Ilangi) that successfully bred in a Malawi tank, long term, with no serious issues. I have also seen a single Tropheus beat the tar out of every Malawi fish in the tank (including Mbuna), until it was later removed. Tropheus are typically extremely territorial, and sp. "black" are known to be some of the most aggressive of the bunch. A local breeder kept almost every species of Tropheus one could imagine, most WC, and I spent a lot of time in that fish room. I also grew out a group of red rainbows yrs ago, so I have more than just a little bit of exposure to Tropheus, and their behaviour. In the wild they live in the surf zone, with lots of water movement and high 02 levels. They are typically a very aggressive, very social fish that does well in large groups of their own kind.


Often times in this hobby it shouldn't be about what can I do, but what should I do.

 

[jcarson]

Thank you all for your feedback and wisdom.
Gonna be holding off on this idea until tank space becomes available.
Gonna do some more of own research as well.