Hello!

[TreesSZ]

Hi all, Ive been cycling for three weeks with a big old Eheim filter. I have so far added 11 juvenile fish 6 demonsai, 3 salousi, and two others whose names elude me, I'll have to check my book. All have settled in really well to thier rio 180, loads of hiding places in all the ocean rock. Plenty of trilling and establishing whose boss. (that would be the big Salousi male. A demonsai is definately second in command). They are amazing and i look forward to all the shinanigans they will get up to.

 

[Xebadir]

Sounds like a good tank, Look forward to seeing some pictures from it. Be careful with all those demonsai, wouldve thought it safer the other way round. Good luck

 

[jayjay]

Aren't demonsai the ones which need big groups or to be single?

 

[Xebadir]

Just had a look into mark elison's article on cichlid forum:

This is a dwarf Mbuna, but don't be fooled into thinking you can keep more than one of these guys in less than 50 gallons. They are territorial, aggressive and, if cramped, will tear each other apart until only one lonely victor remains. They are tough and can hold their own! Once, I witnessed a 1/2" juvenile male chase a medium-sized Venustus for over 6 feet just because the Venustus showed interest in his cave. This fish definitely has spunk and personality! They, unlike any other Mbuna, spend a lot time in caves and swimming around rocks, not because they are timid, but because they are curious. For this reason, lots of rock-work are required for this species.

Um does this answer the question. Id really look into the Demonsai further ASAP before you have death issues: maybe look further into acquiring some more Saulosi instead? Also I see you have two single fish in the tank, you need to identify those to check how agressive they will be. Good luck and get to it.

 

[TreesSZ]

The demonsai have established a pecking order already. They do a good deal of facing off but are definately not physically beating each other up. there is quite a difference in size in each of the d's and the inferior males quickly submit, fold away fins and pale if there is a stand off. There are many places to hide and I check the fish regularly for any injuries (none yet!). The water is a little cloudy. I thought this might be from the substate (sand) I'm not sure I washed it out enough. any ideas? The fish don't seem to mind and the water is reading A-ok. Any way cheers for the advice guys. I'll post some pics when I work out how.

one of the other fish is a female labeotropheus trewavasae and Im pretty sure the last one is a Zebra of some sort. All are compatible the LFS is a cichlid specialist and I normally deal with the manager- he absolutely loves cichlids and he always advises me on what Im getting.

 

[Ferris]

You will probably find that the Demasoni will eventually dominate any male Saulosi you have due to their similar appearance, you may have some problems there . Demasoni are one of the most aggressive Mbuna species so keep a close eye on things. They are also prone to disease caused by poor water quality so make sure you keep up the water changes etc and ensure that your parameters are spot on.

On a more positive note, they are stunning fish and one of my personal favourites (just in case you hadn't guessed from my avatar )

 

[TreesSZ]

You will probably find that the Demasoni will eventually dominate any male Saulosi you have due to their similar appearance, you may have some problems there . Demasoni are one of the most aggressive Mbuna species so keep a close eye on things. They are also prone to disease caused by poor water quality so make sure you keep up the water changes etc and ensure that your parameters are spot on.

On a more positive note, they are stunning fish and one of my personal favourites (just in case you hadn't guessed from my avatar )

Cheers Ferris, I will no doubt be seeking advice from your good self in the future. Cool avatar I tell mine apart by the stripe over/above thier eyes. Amen to them being stunning! Begining to wonder if the 'male' saulosi is infact male. I was told he would change from yellow to blue. is this correct? he hasn't got the tiger stripes that the yellow females have.

 

[Ferris]

Yep, all Saulosi are born yellow and the males transform completely to blue and black, very similar to Demasoni.

You might find this link interesting: Saulosi

 

[BzztYeow]

I have breeding Demosani in my 55g, and they are definitely not the "dominators" in my tank. The male kenyii rules the roost in my setup.

Fish have personalities just like peoples- sometimes they are evil and sometimes not. Everyone told me my Jewel cichlids would kill everything else- but that has not happened.

I would agree though that the demasoni need good water- I lost a couple when I first started the tank.

One of the neat things about Mbuna's is that they have personaities, you just have to watch out for the homicidal ones

Generally - if you have enough hiding spots for the fish - they will do OK- but ya never know really IMO.

 

[TreesSZ]

Yep, all Saulosi are born yellow and the males transform completely to blue and black, very similar to Demasoni.

You might find this link interesting: Saulosi

Freaky! I am amazed the male changes so much! I thought there would be tiger stripes on him while he was yellow, obviously not. All the fish seem quite calm. experimented with introducing peas- a massive success, never seen fish go for them with such tenacity! Any way cheers for all the info folks, will get some images up when Ive worked out how. Whats the easiest way

 

[Ferris]

Create an account with putfile (putfile.com) or photobucket (photobucket.com), which allows you to upload images etc from your PC and provides you with a url, which you can post as a link here and we all get to see your pics.

 

[TreesSZ]

I got the camera all ready and then noticed the water was slightly cloudy. This has become increasingly worse over the last few days to the extent that the fish can only have about 20cm visibility in the tank!! the murk is dfinately green and even adding a second high power filter has done nothing!! I must be cycling hundreds of litres each hour but to no avail. Water chemistry is perfect according to tests but I cant see the fish all that well unless they are real near the class.

Help me cichlid lovers! you're my only hope!

 

[Ferris]

Sounds like an algae/bacteria bloom. Have you tested for phosphate, if this is high, it will be an algae bloom and can be countered by reducing the length of time you leave the lights on for. If you don't have live plants you could even leave the lights off for a few days, which won't affect the fish at all.

 

[TreesSZ]

Sounds like an algae/bacteria bloom. Have you tested for phosphate, if this is high, it will be an algae bloom and can be countered by reducing the length of time you leave the lights on for. If you don't have live plants you could even leave the lights off for a few days, which won't affect the fish at all.

Thanks mate will give that a shot!