Starting a colony

[LordBarron7692]

Just curious as to everyone else's thinkings on starting a colony with 6 fish 1 male 5 females. mostly wanting ideas on what sp. of fish to use thanks.


Edit: meant to say that this will be a tropheus colony

[Andrew_B]

With malawi/mbuna/victorian type fish, I like to do 2 males and how ever many females can fit. A second male will be used as a punching bag instead of the females getting beat on

[LordBarron7692]

ok but my plan is to start with 6 fish total

[Andrew_B]

Okay.. 2/4 then

[barberking12]

if its tropheus thats a bad idea you should start with at least 15 or 20 fish

[LordBarron7692]

if its tropheus thats a bad idea you should start with at least 15 or 20 fish

Just curious as to why you feel that way?

[supadave]

I have heard and read stories of it being possible but.......most experienced Troph keepers will advise against doing it . Since you are asking this question....I take it that this will be your first time keeping Trophs . If so, then I would definitely advise you against trying to start a colony with six fish .

[barberking12]

cause the dominant male will kill each of them one by one you need a large group to spread the aggression out.

[supadave]

Just curious as to why you feel that way?

I think that you may want to do your homework on Trophs before you get started . Read as much as you can about them first .

[Andrew_B]

Didn't think this was a troph conversation! I posted before that was labeled. If its tropheus, then yes 15+

[LordBarron7692]

keeping trophs yes keeping fish no I have been around the hobby my whole life so I don't want people to think I'm some kid thats not listening to advice because I am and not so nieve to think that I have all the answers because I don't. I'm just curious as to why people say that its a bad idea because I remember when it was a bad idea to even think about keeping trophs and petros but now its a mainstay in the hobby and again not trying to come off as a know it all or an a$$ho!e

[barberking12]

like i said im just giveing advice that i have happen to me they are to aggressive to keep in small numbers the dominant male will just kill them one by one nobody said your a naive kid they were just giveing advice like you asked for.

[SunnyHouTX]

Re: Starting a colony

Tropheus are generally highly aggressive to conspecifics so a minimum population is needed just to control aggression. Then you have to learn behaviors and get the hang of scaping a tank to minimize aggression. A layout of rocks that's pleasing to your eye could mean a massacre the following morning.

Also keep in mind that Trophs are hierarchical and watching a large colony go about their business is very enjoyable, at least for me. I'd find a colony of less than 20 a little bland.

The best thing you can do right now is read the threads in the Troph/Petro forum in the clubs section of HFB.

[LordBarron7692]

Thank you sunny

[Geral]

I have keep Trophs for a while and low numbers in a colony is hard to work by , u might lost some on the way to learn, I have keep small colonies up to 9 but have too add some other Trophs to control aggression , and 1 male only don't work well their system is hierarchy and need to be a few male . Aim for trios or quads in ratio , and feeding , flow and routine have a big part to play in keeping Trophs , if I was gonna start with Trophs start with f1 WC can be challenging sometimes an by that mean loss of $$$

Hope u get a big , btw Wich variant you wanna have?