Occelatus Questions

Velvet AciD

Velvet AciD

Large Fish
#1
Jun 28, 2003
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#1
Would a pair of lamprologus occelatus get along with a trio of black Mollies? I understand that Mollies enjoy the high pH and can be kept in saltwater, but how high is dangerous?

Would the Mollies 'deal' living with a pair of occelatus? Are they suitable for a semi-aggressive tank? I've kept Mollies and Angels together before (when much younger) with no problems but the shellies seem to be more aggressive, 'specially with territory. Would the Mollies learn to distinguish the shellies territories?

And also, who here knows the pH of tap water in the Phoenix, AZ area? :confused: My pH tester kit doesn't read high pH levels but I know it's over 7.2.

Are occelatus prone to digging under things?

GIVE ME YOUR ADVICE! :D
 

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TaffyFish

Superstar Fish
#5
Jan 30, 2003
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I don't think livebearers belong with African cichlids period. I've never had mollies but you can be sure the ocellatus are robustly territorial and this territory is not restricted to the substrate area, they don't like fish above them either.........did you really mean saltwater by the way?

Ocellatus will dig under their shells in order to bury them, quite a spectacle. The opening of the main shell is kept above the substrate and all other shells in the male's territory are buried. One reason is to stop other males taking up residence, another is to prevent other species from stealing the shells away. A willing gravid female will usually be allowed to take up one of the shells, the male will uncover it for her. I haven't witnessed an ocellatus dig for any other reason so plants and rockwork are usually safe. Multies however will dig away at anything in their territory....
 

Velvet AciD

Velvet AciD

Large Fish
#6
Jun 28, 2003
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Yes, I really did mean saltwater.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=1055

Hmm, *ponders* so what would be a good 'filler-in' smallish fish? I want something hardy, but something that would look good as well. The reason I mentioned Mollies is because I wanted a test-the-water fish that could withstand high pH's before I started throwing serious money away.

I understand that it may not be the most humane way to see if everything's okay, but fishies get lost in cycles regardless.
 

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wayne

Elite Fish
#8
Oct 22, 2002
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Rainbowfish handle higher pHs pretty well and are a good 'dither'. Mollies I'm not sure. And I'm not sure if shellies are vertically territorial
 

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