5-Bar Cichlids

[MandyL]

I am considering 5-Bars (Neolamprologus tretocephalus http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Neolamprologus_tretocephalus.php ) for my 65 gallon... The dimensions are 36"x19"x24"H. I'm kind of thinking a species-only tank would be cool, but open to other suggestions. Does anyone know how many I would need in the 65? I assume you can't sex them while young, is it imperitive that I end up with a specific male:female ratio? Is it wise to start off with a higher number, so that I can remove any that are overly aggressive or getting picked on?

[MandyL]

Second question... What about mixing these with Yellow Labs? Is it a bad idea? I've found mixed info on the internet... What would be a good number of 5-Bars and Yellow Labs, if they would work together?

[The Wedge]

I wouldn't mix Tang and Mbuna, but I would create a cute little shell dweller tank with several colonies...There cute...but that's just me :)

[MandyL]

I could do shell-dwellers with 5-bars? The size difference is ok?

[toddnbecka]

Tret's are holy terrors when spawning. They'd have to be kept as a species tank, and the 3 odd ones moved out as soon as a pair forms. Otherwise, anything else in a 3' tank will be killed, even a 6' tank is a bit small for anything more than a spawning pair.
Yellow Lab's would likely be alright until the tret's reach maturity, but after that either keep a pair of tret's or a single w/the Lab's. As for Lab's, 1male/several females is the best ratio.
Shell-dwellers would be eaten by the tret's sooner or later.
A 3' tank is a bit small, I'd recommend shellies and J. transcriptus (NOT the "Gombe" variant) or calvus/comp's for long-term inhabitants.

[Cichlid*Newbie]

These look just like Kenyi's...

[MandyL]

OK thanks Toodnbecka... I know the 3' length sucks but I figure the 19" wide will help at least. I will keep looking for what I like... The only others that really struck my fancy are yellow labs and cobalt zebras... But then that belongs in the Malawi section I suppose. :)

[toddnbecka]

Tret's are similar to Auratus, they claim a relatively oversize territory when spawning. You could fit 15-20 demasoni with a group of yellow Lab's in the tank if you want blue/white stripes with yellow fish.

[The Wedge]

I currently have a demonasi and Lab tank and I love the mix...I have 6 Labs...one being fully mature and 10 demonasi of various sizes. Dems have a great personality (rather aggressive) but get along with labs. The dark blue and electric yellow make a nice tank...Yeah I was talking about making the whole tank a shell dweller tank and no Tret's in my above post. In no way would I mix shell dwellers with any larger cichlid. They make a great species tank if you can find them.

[MandyL]

Ooh I do like the demonasi! Could I do an equal number of demonasi and yellow labs? How many would be good?

(Still lots of time to research as I'm not getting the tank really going until after my trip in mid June).

[The Wedge]

I would put way more demonasi than Labs. Labs get larger, but the real reason is that demonasi in numbers under 10 have homicidal tendencies :) Mine will nibble on my arm when it is in the aquarium. They are extremely curious and will swim vertically sometimes...it is really bizarre. I would stick to 5 to 7 Labs and 10 to 15 demonasi. If you put more Labs than that they will probably start bumping in to each other when they get fully mature.

[MandyL]

OK thanks for all your help. :)