Victorians in the hap/peacock tank

[DoctorV]

Hi!
I am seeking advice on the possibility of having more Victorians in my 125 gallon hap/peacock tank.

I currently have there from Malawi (all males)
1 N. venustus ~7"
1 Protomelas spilonotus Mara Rocks ~6"
2 S. fryeri (3 and 5")
1 OB peacock ~3"
1 Borleyi Kadango ~2"
1 Aulonacara sp Sunshine Peacock ~2"

From Tanganyika:
1 C. frontosa ~3" (unsexed)

From Victoria
1M/4F Astatotilapia latifsciata all juvies

I would really like to add more beautiful Vics there, but I don't want any undue aggression and also cross-breeding may be an issue (however, the latter is of less concern for I don't plan to actually breed them; I can let them spit in the tank and given the tenants there will be 'natural' culling).

If you think I can do it, what would be your stocking list?

Thanks in advance, :)
Val

[Jeff F.]

This might give you some ideas. http://www.african-cichlid.com/Lake_Victoria.htm
"Haps" are very beautiful fish and they seem to get along pretty good in my commuinity(malawi/victoria) tank!

[DoctorV]

This might give you some ideas. http://www.african-cichlid.com/Lake_Victoria.htm
"Haps" are very beautiful fish and they seem to get along pretty good in my commuinity(malawi/victoria) tank!

Thanks a lot for the link, Jeff!
It is good to know they co-exist with Malawi.
Now, the question is what to add to my stock list?

Val

[Jeff F.]

I have a hap limax and a possible hap sp. 44. Still waiting for them to grow and for me to get a good enough camera for proper id' s. They're very majestic though! They do get along well though. They're actually the strongest fish at this point even against my dolphin and my taiwan reef. That, of course, will change with size when I get to reconfigurating my current setup. For the love of cichlids........:lol:

[DoctorV]

I have a hap limax and a possible hap sp. 44. Still waiting for them to grow and for me to get a good enough camera for proper id' s. They're very majestic though! They do get along well though. They're actually the strongest fish at this point even against my dolphin and my taiwan reef. That, of course, will change with size when I get to reconfigurating my current setup. For the love of cichlids........:lol:

Amen :)
Thanks again. I was looking at sp 44 thick skin! One of the favorites (on the pictures).
Val

[RustyNut]

Its not really recommended to mix vics because they will all hybridize and of course the dominant male will claim all the girls for himself leading to increased aggression. You're tank is big enough to have a second species if your make sure the females look nothing alike it can work. Think of these fish as mbuna-like behaviors with a little better disposition (like a yellow labs) for many of them....

[DoctorV]

Its not really recommended to mix vics because they will all hybridize and of course the dominant male will claim all the girls for himself leading to increased aggression. You're tank is big enough to have a second species if your make sure the females look nothing alike it can work. Think of these fish as mbuna-like behaviors with a little better disposition (like a yellow labs) for many of them....

You mean, for the second male to thrive and also to alleviate aggression/hybridization, you recommend adding a quad with different female coloration?

Val