Demasoni
Chindongo demasoni (syn. Pseudotropheus demasoni)
A small blue-and-black striped mbuna with outsized aggression; it attacks much larger fish and is kept only in large, crowded groups.
Key facts
- Body length
- 3 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 64 gallons
- Group
- 6+
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Care level
- 4 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Spirulina flakes and pellets, algae; little meat
- Origin
- Lake Malawi, East Africa
- Hardier than8%
- Bigger than46%
- Calmer than14%
Water: their range vs yours
Demasoni tank mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Common plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Dwarf gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Kuhli loachGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Leopard sailfin plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Pearl gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Assassin snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Red swamp crayfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Figure eight pufferGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Kissing gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Paradise fishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Neon tetraDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Neon tetra.Risky
- Harlequin rasboraDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Harlequin rasbora.Risky
- Fancy guppyDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Fancy guppy.Risky
- Panda corydorasDemasoni (aggressive) will bully the peaceful Panda corydoras.Risky
- OtocinclusDemasoni (aggressive) will bully the peaceful Otocinclus.Risky
- Tiger barbDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Tiger barb.Risky
- Cherry shrimpDemasoni eats dwarf shrimp: Cherry shrimp (PROP: мбуна поедают мелких беспозвоночных).Avoid
- Amano shrimpDemasoni eats dwarf shrimp: Amano shrimp (PROP: мбуна поедают мелких беспозвоночных).Avoid
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Demasoni: prey body depth 1.6 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Demasoni: prey body depth 1.6 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Demasoni: prey body depth 1.6 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- Peacock cichlidDemasoni batter peaceful peacocks.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for demasoni: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 7.5 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 6.33 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 3.48 BU
- Min. water
- 205 L net
- Min. footprint
- 120 × 45 cm per group
- Group
- 6+ (best 12)
- Swims in
- bottom, middle
- Flow
- moderate
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore plant
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Sources: Seriously Fish: Chindongo demasoni
Care notes
Demasoni reach only about 3 inches but are among the most aggressive and territorial mbuna. Subdominant males may be killed, and the sexes look almost identical.
Keep a large group, often a dozen or more, in a crowded 55-gallon tank or larger, with stacked rocks and caves. Choose sturdy mbuna of different colours as tank mates and avoid other blue-striped species and peaceful peacocks.
Questions
What size tank does a demasoni need?
At least 64 gallons (205 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 3 inches without fins.
How many demasoni should be kept together?
Keep at least 6, ideally 12 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do demasoni need?
75–82 °F, pH 8.2–8.5 and 10–25 dGH. Demasoni come from Lake Malawi, East Africa.
How long do demasoni live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with demasoni?
Good tank mates include Betta, Angelfish, Common pleco, Dwarf gourami and Kuhli loach. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.