Change in african tank?

[elusive_fish]

I've wanted to keep a colony of dems for a while now, especially with a few other contrasty fish.

I have a 4ft 240L tank. At the moment in it I have:

1x 10cm+ Male metricliama greshakei

5x electric yellows

3 x small male peacocks

1 x brown hap

1 x BN

I know I should get 12+ dems, but what on my list should I keep with them and what should I re-home?

[Matto]

i would say the ice blue would be the main problem but it depends on the space etc.

[ryanjury]

No reason to rehome anything to fit the dems in.. I would rehome the ice blue though he is 99% guaranteed to turn into a menace and take over your tank..

[firenzenz]

Agree!

space Ok but that ice blue is the wrong fish to be tank leader

[elusive_fish]

So tank crowding wise, another 12 fish won't be a problem?

My ice blue has always been 'relatively' mellow, especially now that he doesn't have any girls to show off to. But he is a big, tough fish. If I do this, ill be sad to see him go.

Will the dems hassle they male peacocks and stop them from showing good colour? or do they pretty much keep their carnage to themselves?

[ryanjury]

12 or even more would be fine, I have 14 adults and 10 3-4cm in the same sized tank with red empresses, brown haps (15 of these), small dolphins, small albino auratus and a trio of peacocks..

Maybe your ice blue will be ok but I have found them to be ticking time bombs. I used to read articles on them thinking I had mellow ones until they turned lol Awesome looking fish though

Dems should keep to themselves they will give the odd chase to other tank mates if they come near their favorite rock etc but should be fine.

[elusive_fish]

OK, im going to get 15. Does seem like its going to be an awfully crowded tank once they get bigger, but i'll take your word for it.

I'll let you all know when I get 'em