Advice for a Victorian

So basically I am a Central American Cichlid keeper and really what I have spent most of my time on. I have had a pair of Demasoni in the past as well as Colony of white top hara's , now I want to get some Victorians. So what would be a decently hard to find species since I am a little picky on being able to buy my fish at any lfs and the species needs to be able to breeds easily. Apparently my water is hard and high ph so perfect for Africans. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

So many to choose from. Check out Davesfish.com He has a nice list of Vics and has pics with it. Also if you go to http://www.hillcountrycichlidclub.com/forum You will find lot's of pics and info as well.

Dang just checked out davesfish ... a few fish on there. Well prior to looking threw them with the intention on purchasing some I was thinking of getting the following :

1) Xystichromis sp. ''Dayglow''
2)Astatotilapia sp. ''Thickskin'' (sp. 44)
3)Astatotilapia latifasciata Lake Kyoga ''Zebra''
4)Haplochromis sp. ''Ruby''
5)Pundamilia sp. ''Crimson Tide''
and possibly) Xystichromis sp. ''Flameback'' / Xystichromis sp. ''Kyoga Flameback'' Lake Nawampasa

Any advice on those guys ? there are some out there that I like a little more but way too rare/pricey for me to feel comfortable keeping.

All thoes fish are very nice. If you are wanting to breed get a good sized group. 10 or even more. Odds are better when the #s are larger.

Yeah most Victorian males are brutal on the females! I'd say at least 2-3 males and 5+ females... You'll need plenty of hiding places. The males want to breed 24/7 and if the females aren't in the mood, the male will pursue them till they get in the mood or he'll kill them. The bigger the colony the better to spread out aggression.
JB

Well at the current moment I was thinking possibly 1 male 3 females , or 2 males 5 females. Would this work ? I know im used to centrals for a 1:1 ratio haha. Also what size tank would you suggest I just got a couple brand new 20g breeders that are sitting there empty and was thinking of getting a 40g breeder not sure which would work better. I have a large stockpile of rocks , pots , and am planning to go get a bunch of pvc piping to make some cool tunnels. Was thinking of doing a custom background and include a bunch of tubing threw out it. All and all im pretty excited to get one of these up and running I am just thinking of which fish to get : /

Side note to JB , When we were in AJ you were talking about a fish that they found in a canal between to rivers that they thought were extinct then shipped some to U.S. , what was the name of those fish ?

how bout red flanks? I have a juvi group of 23 and have had adults,,beautiful fish

Pundamilia sp. "Red Flank" I presume ? .. Well yea I like those as well look very nice I just dont want to get in over my head and get fish that are going to drive me nuts. Tho from what ive been reading most of those fish are very very similar in terms of breeding , hardiness and aggression. So I guess its a throw at a dart board or trying to find a deal on exactly what sex ratio im looking for ... apparently im a pimp because I want a lot of girls :D

i have a ton of pundamilia sp red flanks. i usually house 1-2 males with 8+ females.
but i also have the python island and makobe and mwanza and macrocephala and they are a bit ruff with the females unless you have dithers and nice rock work with lots of hidy places. my adult male redflank has 13 females and he has never even niped a fin on his girls.


mature female

Very very nice fish , and what a pimp having so many ladies lol.

I am thinking at the moment tho going with Pundamilia sp. ''Blue Bar'' Hippo Point , I think I can set it up the rock to provide for their needs so I think I will need to get the right male / female ratio.

excellent choice, i have kept them in the past and are very cool species , good luck and keep us posted.