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I just bought 2 of these and I'm having trouble finding possible tankmates for them. I only have 2 of them in a 60 gal. Any help would be appricated.

I would suggest similar sized haps or peacocks. An electric yellow might be a nice addition, but I would stay away from all other mbunas. They are not compatible in the long term with the haps or peacocks.

Most fish from the lake malawi "haps" group would make good additions. Try to stay with in the 8" or under size range. The other larger haps mostly need a 6ft or larger tank when fully grown.

Peacocks are another good chioce. IF you get both females and males, I would go with a single species. Or go just with males and not mix females of different species with other males. The males are the only sex that has vibrant coloring with the peacocks.

Most synodotis species of catfish make good choice or plecos such as bristlenoses.

Which ever you decide on you have to get a fish where the females are as different as possible to avoid crossbreeding...
I vote for Twain reef's.....

Well I'm preaty sure I have bought a pair because it seems the male is getting very bright blue and the female is a very light color.

Very possible. However, even if you have two males only one will really color up the other will often assume female coloring to avoid confrontation with the dominant Male

How would I sex these 2? I see no difference other than color, the brighter on has a few more egg spots but no pointed dorsal fin on either of them. I haven't been able to find much info on these fish at all.



Last edited by k19smith at 14-Aug-2005 12:31

To sex them your best bet is to "vent" them...

Usually easier when fish are min 2".

The vent is locates between the anal fin and the anal pore, In males it is about the same size as the anal pore. In females it's 2-3 times bigger.

Catch the fish leaving it in the net, grasp it in your hand gently, flip it over and see what you think. You might want a magnifying glass

Thanks for the help I have never vented before. I guess it doesn't realy matter to me there sexes, rather not stress out the fishes or stress me out. Because I seem to have to take out almost all the rock work to catch a fish. Redoing rock work now to make it more convient for cleaning etc.There still kinda small. Haven't had any luck yet finding tank mates around here.