Starting out with Demasoni

[S13DWS]

Ok guys. Time for me to post up in a new section. I've introduced myself now lets get down to business.

I liked the look of the blue Demasoni fish and decided to get a couple. From this forum here and various other sources I've found out a fair bit about how to go about keeping these fish.

So far I have only 2 fry. Tiny little fellows in a medium sized tank with a bit of gravel for the bottom, a filter, bubble blower, light, and a heater keeping the tank at a nice 26 degrees C.

What I know about them is that they are curious fish and very aggressive. They like caves. They like to be in a community of at least 12 or so fish (the more the better??)

At the moment I feed them three or four times a day in small amounts. I was told this was the best way to help them grow for the first year or so.
I also know the are mouth brooders, carrying young in their mouth and don't like to be stressed out!!

I'm hoping to be able to breed these fish after I've kept them for a while to get used to them and once they have grown to young adults.

A few things I would like to know are:
What is the average expected life span of these fish?
Any tips I can get to improve my chances of breeding?
Are these a good fish for me to have started out with?

Hopefully someone can help me here as this is my very first attempt at keeping fish for the purpose of breeding and not for the purpose of turtle food.

Cheers!

[Lady Hobbs]

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Lots about them by doing a google search. This article was just one of them.

[kimmers318]

Make sure you have the proper size tank for them, these guys may be small, but they are quite quick and need plenty of room to move around.
I am sure you will enjoy your demasoni, ours have given us several batches of fry so far.

[S13DWS]

Thanks for the link Lady Hobbs :-) I have actually read it before:-)

hopefully I do alright... I quite enjoy looking at them... call me crazy but i can sit for a good half our or more just watching them swim around:-P

[Lady Hobbs]

Could be you need more of them. Many of these cichlids need lots of company. I love watching my fish, too. I find them more entertaining that the TV for sure!

[Fishguy2727]

Demasoni are African rift lake cichlids. They are mbunas from Lake Malawi. They need a pH of 8.2. I suggest using Proper pH 8.2. They also need special salts to provide the trace elements found in their native lake. Seachem makes a good one called Cichlid Lake Salt. I would only feed NLS. It is the best brand of food hands down and will allow them to truly thrive. They last at least 5 years if not closer to 10. They should be fine for a starter fish as long as you do your best for them. Are you crrently getting a bigger tank setup? It would be best if you get more. Try to get them from different sources to avoid inbreeding. Are you wanting a demasoni only tank?

[S13DWS]

Demasoni are African rift lake cichlids. They are mbunas from Lake Malawi. They need a pH of 8.2. I suggest using Proper pH 8.2. They also need special salts to provide the trace elements found in their native lake. Seachem makes a good one called Cichlid Lake Salt. I would only feed NLS. It is the best brand of food hands down and will allow them to truly thrive. They last at least 5 years if not closer to 10. They should be fine for a starter fish as long as you do your best for them. Are you crrently getting a bigger tank setup? It would be best if you get more. Try to get them from different sources to avoid inbreeding. Are you wanting a demasoni only tank?

I am getting more of them today. Another 12 fry. so 14 all up should suffice?? No?
I am going to keep them all in the tank i have at the moment and grow them until they are about 1.5" long, while I get my new larger tank and let it culture for the time they are growing. Then I will transfer them into the larger tank and see how they get on :-)
Yes it will be a Demasoni only tank.

Do they have to live in salt water?!!!

this could be a biggie! I have them in freshwater at the moment :S they seem to be happy???? Am i slowly killing them???????

[S13DWS]

Just a quick update.

Today i bought a further 12 demasoni Fry. All up i have 14 now :-) go meeee!!!

One question. I have noticed that one of the ones i had in the tank first is chasing most of the others and i read that they dont like to be chased. Will he/she stop chasing the other fish after a while or is there something I have to do??

[Algenco]

rearranging rocks, etc usually helps. Breaks up territories,you will need to provide lots of caves. They don't tolerate other tankmates, best kept as species only colony.

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[Fishguy2727]

It is not saltwater, it is just a low dose of trace elements, mainly different types of salts. These help simulate the natural conditions in their native waters. The cichlid lake salt will help bring out the best colors, health, growth, and breeding. They may do 'fine' without them, but they will do much better with the salts.

[S13DWS]

Ok I have decided it will be better for me to ask all my questions in one hit. Rather than have a million and 1 threads asking different things.
Ok first things first. I will admit im a total n00b at aquariums so details please! and in the easiest form for me to understand.
Also keep in mind i am from New Zealand so things might be different from what you have over there...

First question:
Is there a specific type of gravel to put in the bottom of the tank which is better for the fish?

second question:
I have 14 Demasoni. How many caves should I have?

Third question:
Should I have plants in the tank, what sort?? (I read not to use plants with roots as they lower the pH of the tank. But does this mean not to have fake plants in there?)

Fourth question:
I am at the moment feeding them tropical fish food. Is that good stuff? Also read that they like thier veges. Does that mean I can put into the water things like lettuce leaves??

Fifth question:
Are all these questions annoying?

Sixth question:
How about now?

Seventh Question:
Do I have to have one of those nets that clip on the side for carrying females? (wont be for a while yet as they are only fry)

Other questions which arent really as important but always nice to know.
How do I tell male from Female? I know its hard to tell when they are small.
Is having more fish better for increasing my chances of more offspring or will it still be one dominant male and one female fish breeding all the time until one of the others takes over?

Hope i can get some help and sorry for bothering everyone!!

[Fishguy2727]

Best substrate would be sand. Estes Marine Sand is really nice (it does not actually affect pH or anything).

The best food would be New Life Spectrum. Amazon.com sells it if you can't find it.

Lots and lots of caves. Preferably two differnt piles if you can. No plants needed. They will probably eat them anyways. Plants would just complicate things and most don't do well in the high pH.

For holding females ideally they each get their own 10-15 gallon until they release them, then put her back in the tank.