Okay then, so what about tanganyikans? Neolamprologus leleupi for
example...



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Now you're talking!!

Tanganyikans can be very aggressive too, but in a much different way.
They don't tend to chase the females to death as readily as the Mbuna
and they seem to be content with a much smaller territory like the
flower pot they spawn in. I've kept Leleupi in 20-gallon tanks and
had absolutely no trouble at all. Some species of Julidochromis, and
some of the shell dwellers can also be kept in a smaller tank. Many
of these substrate spawners will form a pair bond and are quite
interesting to watch but once the pair is formed they may kill the
rest of the species in that tank. In a small tank you can pretty much
count on it.

Julidochromis will pair bond so 1m and 1f will probably be the max.
The Karalini (Firecracker) Leleupi don't seem to grow as large as the
common ones and they hold their color much better IMO. A pair would
be all I suggest. The shell dwellers can be kept in harems - 1m &
multiple females, as long as you have enough shells. I'm partial to
the Occelatus Gold for their color and attitude but I like them all.
Altolamprologus Calvus would also work. They may eventually need a
larger tank but they grow EXTREMELY SLOW. If they do outgrow the tank
in a few years you would have no problem finding a home for them.

I would not be afraid to keep all four species in your tank as long as
you stay on top of the water parameters. I would expect to see all of
these spawn and the risk of hybrids is almost non-existent so you
should have no worries there, but they will prey on each others fry.
The Calvus especially.

Mark
http://www.cichliddomain.com