Tropheus in a 150

[darthvader4bwu]

I recently sold all of my Mbuna that was housed in my 150 gallon tank and i would like to know how many colonies of trophues could i safely add to it.

[Pam Chin]

Hey Darth,

If it was me, I would just do one species, around 24 or so. I have not been successful mixing groups.

The major decision is which one to get!!

[Barbie]

You'll find that you have a high color variance, even within one colony of tropheus. The more dominant fish get the deep dark color, and you get a wide range of "look" to your tank, even with one type. The moorii seem to show this more than others, IME. My colony of Livua is like looking at a tank full of all of the spectrums of red, with some yellow and black tossed in. Very busy, and definitely far from monochromatic. In a 150 gallon, you should be a bit safer with trying to add a second species. The T. sp. black "bulu point" would make a nice contrast, without being mild enough to get thumped on.

Welcome to your newest addiction!

Barbie

[darthvader4bwu]

I have decided to move my colony of 20 + Ikola Kaisers out of the 100 gallon into the 150 with a few additional ones which i'm picking up this weekend. Then i'm moving the 20 Kambimbwa out of the 80 into the 100.and housing some Bemba in the 80. This tropheus addiction is getting real serious

[sidguppy]

I would NEVER mix Tropheus sp "Black" (any variety) with Kaisers of any kind...they're too closely related (Kaiser are viewed by many authors -not Konings- as a "black" variety), and if hybrids occur, you're up to your ears in aufwuchs-manure.

with Kaiser/Ikola, go for a duboisi, moori or polli-variety; this way you mix "biotope-sharers" and the looks will differ greatly.

[Philippe Burnel]

I would NEVER mix Tropheus sp "Black" (any variety) with Kaisers of any kind...they're too closely related (Kaiser are viewed by many authors -not Konings- as a "black" variety), and if hybrids occur, you're up to your ears in aufwuchs-manure.

it seems that, following DNA sudies, sp "Black" and "Ikola" are different species (also true for the "Bulu-point !!!)
Anyway, I do agree : never mix these variants !!!