Just a heads up

This little bit is geared towards anyone thinking about starting an african cichlid setup and considering introducing a fish known as the OB (Orange Blotch) Peacock. Although a stunning fish, it unfortnately has, as a result of being a man made fish with some mbuna thrown in, an aggressive and boistrous nature and can and will quickly dominate a tank stocked with less aggressive tankmates. Its amazing the stuff you learn after you buy a fish and things go south because you havn't done enough research Ive recently setup an african cichlid aquarium and amongst my first batch of fish was an OB Peacock. He quickly became the dominant fish in the tank and bullied and harassed his tankmates until they were all hiding in corners most of the day. His tankmates were all peacocks of a similar size but his aggression had them all swimming for it. Needless to say, this was pretty painful to watch so I rehoused him and the change in the tank has bee profound. The rest of the inhabitants are now happily swimming about the whole of the tank and I was able to introduce new stock once things settled, something I was unable to do while the OB was still in it. They have really coloured up and become very active.
Of course, none of this was the OB's fault. He was just doing what he does and I would highly recommend an OB to anyone considering an african setup stocked with the more aggressive mbuna and haps. The colours on these fish are fantastic and they are active and energetic. Anyway, this is just a heads up to anyone thinking of an african project so they can factor in this experience when deciding on stock. They have been known to be sold under different names so here is a couple of images of the OB Peacock so any prospective african cichlid keeper reading this knows what it is they are looking at.





Jay

Hi Jay

Thanks for that. Good info to have. I have a spare 55gal setup that I'm about to use for African cichlids (prob mbuna). After over 15 years keeping fish, this will be my first venture into Africans so all info like this is appreciated.

Probably go with yellow labs and demasoni (or other fish that contrasts colourwise with the labs) but of course any suggestions would be much welcomed. Nothing really overly volatile.

Patrick

Hi Patrick,

Im glad this was of help to you. Labs are a great fish not only because of their great colour but also because of their temperment. They are placid as far a mbuna go. As for the demasoni, I considered these myself for my own tank but was advised against them as they can be little terrors for their size and a dominant male can become a real pain if he gets thinking the whole tank is his. An alternative could be Yellow Tailed Acei or perhaps some peacocks like Stuartgranti which come in fantastic blues and are pretty laid back. There is a vast number to choose from and there are some very experienced african cichlid keepers here so no doubt some more ideas will be thrown your way.
Keep us updated with the stocklist and warm up the camera .

Jay

thats an excellent post with great advice jay. i would agree 100 per cent with everyting, including the tips u gave to patrick. the pics are also a good touch.
well done, keep it up. .

Thanks again Jay.

I was actually looking at the Acei's as well last week and now that you've mentioned them also I'm really coming around to that idea. Basically I'm thinking of going with a collection of two different mbuna with contrasting colour to each other and who's temperament would be relatively non aggressive - labs being one, and I think the Acei's would contrast nicely with their blue and hint of yellow. I think I'm right in saying that Pseudo's and Labs wont cross breed???

As mentioned earlier, my fishkeeping experience has thus far not involved Africans (mainly SA plecs)so as this is a new venture I'm really appreciating the advice and apologies if I'm highjacking this thread - only it came along at just the right time!

Also, in terms of my 55gal (approx 230 litres ish), could you offer suggestions on stocking levels for my two choices?

Cheers again
Patrick

derek wrote:

thats an excellent post with great advice jay. i would agree 100 per cent with everyting, including the tips u gave to patrick. the pics are also a good touch.
well done, keep it up. .

Thanks Derek, Ill be sure to post more as this tank takes shape.

Jay

Patrick888 wrote:

Thanks again Jay.

I was actually looking at the Acei's as well last week and now that you've mentioned them also I'm really coming around to that idea. Basically I'm thinking of going with a collection of two different mbuna with contrasting colour to each other and who's temperament would be relatively non aggressive - labs being one, and I think the Acei's would contrast nicely with their blue and hint of yellow. I think I'm right in saying that Pseudo's and Labs wont cross breed???

As mentioned earlier, my fishkeeping experience has thus far not involved Africans (mainly SA plecs)so as this is a new venture I'm really appreciating the advice and apologies if I'm highjacking this thread - only it came along at just the right time!

Also, in terms of my 55gal (approx 230 litres ish), could you offer suggestions on stocking levels for my two choices?

Cheers again
Patrick

This is far from a hijack mate, its exactly what the post was intended for, and your welcome. This too is my first foray into africans and I have a lot to learn. I can relate to your desired choice of fish, very similar to what I had intended for my own setup. I have read that they can cross but it is apparently a very rare occurance so I wouldnt let it put me off.(mabey one of the african gurus could weigh in here) As far as stocking levels go, I would go with 1 male for every three or four females in both groups. Although not huge, they can attain a respectable adult size and they will make for an impressive display. Some synodontis cats would also add some interest and I personally like the petricolas.

Jay

Viperbot wrote:

This is far from a hijack mate, its exactly what the post was intended for, and your welcome. This too is my first foray into africans and I have a lot to learn. I can relate to your desired choice of fish, very similar to what I had intended for my own setup. I have read that they can cross but it is apparently a very rare occurance so I wouldnt let it put me off.(mabey one of the african gurus could weigh in here) As far as stocking levels go, I would go with 1 male for every three or four females in both groups. Although not huge, they can attain a respectable adult size and they will make for an impressive display. Some synodontis cats would also add some interest and I personally like the petricolas.

Jay

great advice again jay. could'nt disagree with any of above.
hmmm. i'll be redundant if this keeps up and can retire to race angry old men up and down the shannon.

Nice one Derek. Lol, watch your six mate. That said, racing up and down that river with lads raising their fists...sounds like a blast .

Jay