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So I started stocking my 72G African tank. I 've started small, 3 yellow labs and 3 p. demasoni's.

I have heard that you should stock a school of at least 12, but have also heard people that have kept 2-4?

Any body have any recommendations for a decent number to stock? Keep in mind I would like to stock other AFrican's and I don't necessarily want to crowd the tank. I know overcrowding can lessen aggression, but I like some space in the tank, and I want to see territorial behaviour cichlids are known for.

I have only started to stock the tank in the last 2 days, the Labs and P.Demasoni's are still working out the living arrangements.

Funniest thing is...I have about 7 guppies in there (cycling the tank prior to stocking), and the Africans haven't bothered them at all....the yellow snake skin guppy is actually semi-schooling with the labs????

Anyways....p. demasoni numbers...any suggestions?

72G Bowfront. 1 Sunshine Peacock, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Ps. Elongatus, 1 Blue Ahli, 1 Red Kadanga, 1 Mel. Exasperatus, 1 metriaclima emmiltos, 1 Ancistrus.

14.5G 4 Neon Tetras.

Ummmm....so no replies to my post, but for those who are interested.

Almost ALL of my research tells me that Demasoni's need to be kept in a minimum group of 12.

That said, I have to add 9 more?!?!?!?! But they are REALLY entertaining, so I am happy to do it. Its gonna put a dent in my wallet though.

72G Bowfront. 1 Sunshine Peacock, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Ps. Elongatus, 1 Blue Ahli, 1 Red Kadanga, 1 Mel. Exasperatus, 1 metriaclima emmiltos, 1 Ancistrus.

14.5G 4 Neon Tetras.

Also, can anyone suggest a third african to go with labs and Demasoni's??

I want one more for the mix, preferably one that can be kept in low number (2-4).

Stocking planned to date is:
12 Demasoni's
6 Yellow Labs
1 - Pleco (not sure type yet)
3 - apple snails


72G Bowfront. 1 Sunshine Peacock, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Ps. Elongatus, 1 Blue Ahli, 1 Red Kadanga, 1 Mel. Exasperatus, 1 metriaclima emmiltos, 1 Ancistrus.

14.5G 4 Neon Tetras.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_75g.php

What are the dimensions o a 72g?

Its a bit wierd, as its a bow-front. But are as follows -

48x18x22

Looking at the link you posted, I pretty much set it up exactly like a traditional West African set up.

I've completed the stocking, as follows:

7 Demasoni (3-4 juvenlies)
3 Yellow Labs (juveniles)
1 Mpanga (medium sized)
1 Venustus (juvenile)
3 apple snails.

No issues to date...the Mpanga is the boss of the tank, and the dominant Demasoni appears to accept that.

The labs just don't care about any of the other fish, and the venustus just cruises around looking for a guppy to eat (I drop in juvie guppies once a month for him).

So far, so good.

72G Bowfront. 1 Sunshine Peacock, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Ps. Elongatus, 1 Blue Ahli, 1 Red Kadanga, 1 Mel. Exasperatus, 1 metriaclima emmiltos, 1 Ancistrus.

14.5G 4 Neon Tetras.