I had a near twelve incher that while was a bit aggressive it didn't try to eat the other smaller fish in the tank.Champs don't seem to have very big mouths compared to other predatory haps.Mine would hide among the rocks and then would come out and cruise around the tank and chase a few fish around before going into hiding.
What predator hap do you suggest?
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Any large adult open water predator is capable of attacking/killing/eating smaller Mbuna such as your L. Caeruleus.
I have an extra sub dominant champ about a foot long. He is in there with a 3" L. caeruleus and a 5 " talapia and he doesn't bother them. If you can find a tyranochromis they are non aggressive and will get 8-10". I have one in my 220 gal main tank and I've never seen him bother anyone.
The fact that a single specimen works, or doesn't, with smaller fish is in no way a guarantee that the exact same combo will net the same results in another tank.
They are called predatory for a reason, and over the years I can't think of a single Rift Lake predatory species of fish that has not become hyper aggressive in a comm tank with other Rift Lake species. I had to add & subtract several times over with different fish, of the same species, until I found a mix that would get along with the others. I have witnessed the same in many other tanks over the years.
Considering what the OP has available locally, personally I would try this change with fish that will offer the greatest chance of success in what he is seeking, which is fry removal, sans the drama of violent escapades. All large predatory haps have the potential to become hyper aggressive, simple fact, so best keep that in mind before adding to your current mix of fish. Or not, your call. Good luck
They are called predatory for a reason, and over the years I can't think of a single Rift Lake predatory species of fish that has not become hyper aggressive in a comm tank with other Rift Lake species. I had to add & subtract several times over with different fish, of the same species, until I found a mix that would get along with the others. I have witnessed the same in many other tanks over the years.
Considering what the OP has available locally, personally I would try this change with fish that will offer the greatest chance of success in what he is seeking, which is fry removal, sans the drama of violent escapades. All large predatory haps have the potential to become hyper aggressive, simple fact, so best keep that in mind before adding to your current mix of fish. Or not, your call. Good luck
If your main concern is bioload, a group of synodontis multipunctatus will add less to the bioload than a giant nimbochromis or frontosa.
Eupteris will be fine solitary...they prefer it and will hide most of the time. I cannot testify to their fry eating efficiency.
Rocks are good, but you might be able to remove some of the smaller ones to eliminate tiny crevices that the mbuna cannot fit into.
Eupteris will be fine solitary...they prefer it and will hide most of the time. I cannot testify to their fry eating efficiency.
Rocks are good, but you might be able to remove some of the smaller ones to eliminate tiny crevices that the mbuna cannot fit into.
This guy makes short work of any fry in my tank. Not just small ones either. I have seen him take fish up to 2 inches. Plus he does not bother the other larger fish in the tank.
Do you think any of the smaller tanganyikans will be good fry eaters? I think leleupi are good predators of small shelldwellers.
Wow, thanks for the help.
I think I could get a synodontis multipunctatus, a clown plecto, (wanted one), and lamprolgus lelelupi down here.
Had a couple lelelupis in the 1980s seemed easy going, if I remember right.
They are small, would 2 or three get along? or just one be ok?
I think I could get a synodontis multipunctatus, a clown plecto, (wanted one), and lamprolgus lelelupi down here.
Had a couple lelelupis in the 1980s seemed easy going, if I remember right.
They are small, would 2 or three get along? or just one be ok?
Leleupi are aggressive and IME do not do well with Malawi, I think you will end up removing them. I would skip the clown pleco.
