I'm looking to add a Astatheros Rostratus to my tank. It will be in a grow out with some CAs until its large enough to add into my larger tank. I seem to be running into a roadblock when it comes to researching this fish. Some people say its now a Cribroheros. I thought they were different fish from different areas. Can any keepers give me advice on the Astatheros Rostratus? TIA
Astatheros Rostratus
- Thread starter KarensFish
- Start date
The genus was changed from astaheros to cribroheros. They are peaceful earth eaters that like to be kept in groups. They need small gravel or sand because they like to shift through the substrate to find food in nature. I’d avoid aggressive cichlids w/ them. They don’t get huge and grow really slow. IME they grow around 10”. Think this is a female and about 10”.
Also to add they like high ph and hard water like most CAs. My mistake was only buying one. This was a TR fish bought around 10 years ago so can’t find the exact catch location. I didn’t add because there is variations-more gold or more green to my knowledge. Didn’t want to create “hybrids” so will get a group, they would be separated from this fish. IME cribroheros and thorichthys prefer to spawn w/ their own species. They mix well too w/ very little aggression. But the key is keep multiple of the same species. Aggression only gets bad w/ spawning. I of course haven’t had rostratus spawn yet, but I bet it’s like robertsoni which my male is pretty tough on the female. I keep mine in a 6’ 150g, because I rather keep fish 10” and under in a 6’ tank. I have almost zero aggression (aside from the robertsoni male trying to spawn w/ the female).
Agree with Toiletcar
Their rep in the past, was that they almost always became hyperdominent, and aggressive.
Probably because they were kept as a single individual or attempted to be kept in pairs.
I acquired about a dozen from COTA, and kept them as that large shoal (group) together and never had any aggression issues.
When about to spawn, they select compatible pairs from within the group, and separate as pairs to spawn.
Mine were great with plants, and even left small fish alone..
Because they are a Central American equivalent to Geophagus (earth eaters) sand is recommended to be used as substrate.
Their rep in the past, was that they almost always became hyperdominent, and aggressive.
Probably because they were kept as a single individual or attempted to be kept in pairs.
I acquired about a dozen from COTA, and kept them as that large shoal (group) together and never had any aggression issues.
When about to spawn, they select compatible pairs from within the group, and separate as pairs to spawn.
Mine were great with plants, and even left small fish alone..
Because they are a Central American equivalent to Geophagus (earth eaters) sand is recommended to be used as substrate.
You should be fine. Mine does ok w/ the other species. The aggression is mostly chasing and no damage.
Thank you. I was a bit worried. Then, the pick up date got pushed back to Tuesday... I was thinking of letting this fish go. Now, I'm back on board. Thanks.