The Pseudotropheus crabro is one of the fish I keep. I started out with two of them to go into my 29 gallon tank as a cichlid beginner. Little did I know at that time. :unsure:

After doing some research, I learned that these are supposed to be an aggressive fish that grow to a pretty large size, reaching as much as 8 inches.

I've been lucky and haven't seen any aggression from my two. They were both males that lived together for three years, starting in a 29, to a 55, and then into a 75 gallon tank. I lost the bigger dominant male last summer during an incredible hot spell that we had. Boo Hooo It broke my heart - he was always the peacekeeper in the tank and would stop any altercations between the auratus and greshakeiX.

These fish change colors from the yellow and black to almost completely black. My dominant male was always darker. Now that he's gone, the second one has become much darker, but will still occasionally take on the yellow coloring.











I've seen some at fish stores that have become huge and overweight looking. I feed mine sparingly and hopefully he will keep his slim figure.

Anyone else keep crabros? Feel free to add any pics or experiences.

Don't keep 'em, but like you I've seen them at a number of LFS's where they're big, visibly mean... and probably close to un-sellable!

Sounds like a species to raise together from juvies.

I have a female crabro. She is a real beauty. I took her from a friend that keeps all tangs. I too have not seen any aggression. She tends to be a perfect angel. I have considered getting her a male, but my main interest is in dwarf mbunas, so I am slowly unloading my stock of larger species.

Wow Aura, I love your photos. Especially the first one is just beautiful. You are getting better and better with that camera the Clap the Clap the Clap

Your post brings back a lot of memories from my "Malawi days". Pseudotropheus crabro was one of the first Malawians I kept. That was around 1972 Faint . They used to be one of my favorites at that time. They will become big and very strong fish, no matter how much (or little) you feed them but the constant change of color makes them so very interesting.

Of course, now you've piqued my curiosity and I find myself thinking... "If I raised them together as juvies..." When they're showing all-black the big ones are striking, and the yellow stripes are really nice when they're young.

But are they as bad as Auratus?

I had Auratus in the 80's and my MTS is advancing enough now that I'm considering trying them again as well. I just love their look, even if they're [expletive] [expletives] in their behavior.

Maybe try growing up some Auratus and Crabro together? I see that's what you're doing. Who else do you keep with them?

Beautiful fish, Aura!

We kept them in the past...Actually, we had a huge female that was never much of a problem, until we tried to give her a boyfriend...Didn't work out too well, my matchmaking skills were a little off! She literally harassed him until he jumped out of the tank, the best we could tell! fishy suicide!

We kept the female for years, though. That was the only time I ever saw her live up to her reputation!

Honestly, I warn people off of them due to size more than aggression! I really think they are stunning...I love the yellow and black!

Kim

She's a pretty one, Almo. I wish I could take her off of your hands, but I bet the same thing that happened in Kim's tank would happen here. My fish have been together for a long time now and since they all get along, I've been afraid to add any new fish.

Klaus, you kept crabro? Faint I am so surprised! Were they aggressive with each other or their other tankmates?

Pseudo, I only have my own experience with two crabro to go by, but for me there is no comparison - the auratus are far more aggressive.

The auratus that you see in the picture was actually a fish store rescue - he was already pretty big and had been turned in by someone and I felt sorry for him, so I brought him home. He is the only auratus in this tank because he can't play nice with the other auratus. He tried to kill them all, but he's okay with the other mbuna.

Raising them together would probably be the best way to do it, but there is still no predicting what might happen when they mature. One thing I can say with confidence is that they are unpredicatable and things can change from one day to the next!! Since mine have been together for a few years now, I'm hoping there won't be any more surprises. ohhh please ohh please

Yes Aura, I too kept Malawi Cichlids before I discovered the abundance of the beautiful Tanganjikan Cichlids. Cloud 9 Cloud 9

To answer your question: Yes, they were aggressive with everybody and being that strong, they will surely take over a tank without any problems.