Pet Forum / Aquaria / Cichlids / June 2004

Yes, this will work. A word of caution, though.

There are several species in the group previously known as
Lamprologus brichardi (now called Neolamprologus species). Many appear
similar, but some don't form a tolerant group such as you're
proposing. If you can get the Neolamp. brichardi, it would be better
than some of the others, such as Neolamp. daffodil, etc. and even then
a dominant male will arise. But 55 gallons should give room for males
to co-exist.

The julies are great, and transcriptus is my favorite. They will pair
off (if you're lucky) and the pair will keep the others away from
their territory. They are very secretive spawners, so you may not see
any  breeding and you may not notice any fry until they are quite
large.

The ocellatus will do fine, but try to provide them a selection of
clean shells to occupy. Once the brichardis begin pumping out fry,
they will occupy the smaller spaces in the rockwork. Shells will give
the ocellatus a place of their own.

Cheers,
John