duboisi vs moorii for beginner

[az]

Hello,

General question that might be interesting for people to discus:

I have read that duboisi are less aggressive than other species, and that a stable colony is easier to achieve. Is this difference quite noticeable, or only slightly so? Is it enough that it would warrant considering them strongly for a first Tropheus tank over some of the moorii variants?

This is assuming, of course, all other factors being equal, ie: same size tank, same generation removed from the wild, same number/sex-ratio of the fish, all groups started together as fry/juveniles, etc.



The reason I am asking:

I am setting up a 75 gallon, and am thinking about a few different options for the tank. I really like T. moorii - Lufubu, Kasanga/Kantalamba, Murago/Moba, or Mpulungu. I also do like T. duboisi a lot, but not quite as much as the others I listed. I have read that a lot of people consider a 75 the minimum for Tropheus, and consider it a bit crowded. With this in mind, if people think the duboisi would be a much better option I would by no means be unhappy to start with them. But if the difference in aggression is minimal, I might prefer to start with one of the moorii variants.

I plan to start with about 30 fry/juveniles and pull extra males to end up with about 18-20 fish.

Thank you,
AZ

[...]

In my experience moorii & duboisi variants are no different as far as aggression goes...species red have been reported to be more aggressive, but having kept those as well I really didn't think so either. Choose the variant you prefer, and good choice to start with 30 x 1.5" fish to get a good M/F ratio. Let us know what variant you decide! My fab is mpulungu/kasakalawe

[riftwater]

In my experience reds are more aggressive than Dubs but not overly so. Ending up with 15-20 in a 75 is a good match

[mikevxr]

Due to a shortage of available tanks I had to house some Tropheus Bemba with Duboisi. The Duboisi were about 50% larger than the Bemba ,initially they were ok but after 8 weeks I started losing my larger Bemba males due to male Duboisi attacking them as they were trying to breed. Personally I think from an aggression Piont of view they are both similar.

[pseuro]

Started my first group of trophs with Red Chipimbi in a 75g. Don't notice any difference with my current colony of duboisi. Also started with 30 or so juvies.