Thanks for your replies everyone - I'm getting a better idea of what I
want now.

"Amateur Cichlids" wrote in message . com...
Keeping more than two species of shellies in your tank could be rough
with some of the more popular species out there. You could keep a fairly
large colony of Lamprologus multifasciatus or Lamprologus similis easily in
your tank. Perhaps 10-12, keeping in mind they'll breed and the colony will
grow. The Lamprologus ocellatus and L. brevis pair off and may be more
difficult to keep more than a pair in a smaller tank. They become very
territorial when breeding and have been known to bite a hand or two. The L.
snip

I've fallen for the idea of keeping L. ocellatus. Presumably it's not
easy/possible to sex juveniles at the LFS to obtain a pair - so what's
the best way forward? Put a few in, and expect to have to remove some
if the male/female balance is wrong?? That doesn't seem ideal, but is
there an alternative?

I was looking at Cyprichromis leptosoma as pelagic tankmates - three
to five of these maybe. Or are there reasonable alternatives with L.
ocellatus in a 36"/23 gal?

Thanks again everyone!

Toby