Probably a big fat no

[norseman]

Just about everything I know tells me you cannot put 2 different types of Trophs in the same tank. But IS it possible to do and not get crossbreeds?

I’m not at all thinking about selling fry, but at the same time I don’t like looking at OB fish either lol

[brianyelick]

Yes you can keep 2 separate types such as Tropheus Duboisi maswa and tropheus Moorii red rainbow or any other Moorii varieties.
Or you could keep brichardi tropheus with duboisi or Moorii. Same is true with the annectens type tropheus and seems to be true for sp. Red and sp black but I still avoid mixing either of those with Moorii varieties and also avoid keeping groups that look similar and you can avoid hybrids. That being said I like eretmodus gobies with my tropheus they are a very cool companion.

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

Yes just make sure they are completely different looking.

[mikevxr]

Must admit a group of Duboisi with one of the sp.black varieties (Ikola, Bemba, Kiriza, Bulu Piont) is always a nice mix.

[norseman]

That’s exactly what I envision: a group of Duboisi and a group of Ikola ...maybe LOL

[renoguy]

I have Bembas and Ilangi together with no crossbreeding, actually the almost completely ignore each other.

[norseman]

Is it suggested to raise the 2 groups as juvies together? I’m planning to setup a 75 gal with maybe 15 of one. But we are planning on buying a house next year where I’ll have more room. So I’m thinking I would setup like a 125 in the new house, then move the existing colony to that, then setup the 75 and grow out a second colony of a dissimilar Troph and eventually add them to the 125. But I wonder if there would be major territory battles going on if/when I did that?

What’s everyone’s opinions on just putting the 2 colonies together in the 75 gallon as juvies? What would be the max I could have in there? Once moved into the 125, over time the number of fry that survive would add to the numbers.

...this is just me thinking here. I didn’t even buy a tank yet. Still planning.

[brianyelick]

I'd suggest raising them together you can grow out 2 groups in a 75 if you plan on transferring that should work

[norseman]

How many of each should I start out with? Maybe 10 each?

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

Ikola and Maswa would be a great combo! Or Ikola and Bulu Point!


But yes... growing them out together in the same tank would be the way to go as you will typically have a more consistent displaying of both groups. If you keep them separate and then put them together when they are old, typically one variant will be slightly more dominant than the other causing the other to display poor or less than desirable.

As far as numbers, rule of thumb as long been to get as many as you can afford and that will be comfortable in the tank that they end up staying permanently. 20 is okay but 40-50 would be better. And always keep in mind that you should expect a 50/50 ratio of male to females in any given batch of fry you purchase. So if you want more females to male and at a good ration, then get more of each variant. BUT, if you are just going for a nice display tank, get a few different variants and mix them all together. That looks great IMO!!!

Andrew