Educating MFK on Africans!
- Thread starter Ash
- Start date
I just got a male Aulonacara nyassae, who is currently black. I was told by my LFS that the only way to get his blue colors to come out was to get him some females. Another LFS told me feeding him brine shrimp or krill once a week would bring out his blue. Whom should I believe? All research I've done points to him having some females, but in the 3 weeks I've had him he's already starting to lighten up a bit, and his blue is slowly developing. Also, any info on Nimbochromis livingstonii?Ash said:
Nimbochromis livingstonii I do believe his info is already in this thread but I could be wrong, and I will get back to you on is it food or female fish thing, I got to go to work soon so I dont have much time for some research get off at six, will have it up by the end of tonight! I think food might help though, if its the right diet. I'll find it out for you.
The blue should develop on its own to an extent, but to get the full colour out of him, you'll have to add females to really brighten him up 
got off early here is some more info and the anwser to your question, just as sk said it's prob. going to get more color with females added.
Aulonocara nyassae
Gen. Info: Aulonocara nyassae, comes from the rocky, sandy shores of Lake Malawi, Africa. The male is a bright yellow to metallic blue, whereas the female is a drab brown to gray. Size: around 6 inches
Tank: This fish does well in an aquarium that is at least 50 gallons with plenty of rocks for territories and a sandy bottom. The male is usually only aggressive towards its own species unless its territory is invaded upon. Provide a ratio of 3 to 4 females to one male. Minimum Tank Capacity is 50 gallons.Tank Set-up should be Rocks, plants, sand bottom. Tank Conditions: 72-82°F; pH 7.8-8.5; dH 10-15. The lighting should be low.
Breeding/Coloration: The males colors will become more vivid during breeding time. The yellow will become more pronounced and his temperament will become more aggressive. Again, provide multiple females for the male, as it will take the stress off of the female carrying the eggs. Incubation is approximately 3 weeks, at which time, the female will release the fry. Provide the fry with newly hatched brine shrimp and finely ground flake food.
Food: This fish should be fed a variety of both meaty and vegetable-based foods. Feed live and frozen brine shrimp along with Spirulina-based flake and pellet foods. Diet: Omnivore.
Aulonocara nyassae
Gen. Info: Aulonocara nyassae, comes from the rocky, sandy shores of Lake Malawi, Africa. The male is a bright yellow to metallic blue, whereas the female is a drab brown to gray. Size: around 6 inches
Tank: This fish does well in an aquarium that is at least 50 gallons with plenty of rocks for territories and a sandy bottom. The male is usually only aggressive towards its own species unless its territory is invaded upon. Provide a ratio of 3 to 4 females to one male. Minimum Tank Capacity is 50 gallons.Tank Set-up should be Rocks, plants, sand bottom. Tank Conditions: 72-82°F; pH 7.8-8.5; dH 10-15. The lighting should be low.
Breeding/Coloration: The males colors will become more vivid during breeding time. The yellow will become more pronounced and his temperament will become more aggressive. Again, provide multiple females for the male, as it will take the stress off of the female carrying the eggs. Incubation is approximately 3 weeks, at which time, the female will release the fry. Provide the fry with newly hatched brine shrimp and finely ground flake food.
Food: This fish should be fed a variety of both meaty and vegetable-based foods. Feed live and frozen brine shrimp along with Spirulina-based flake and pellet foods. Diet: Omnivore.
Boulengerochromis Microlepsis heheh, get to work. I bought two of these guys...too lazy to look...
heheh, get to work. I bought two of these guys...too lazy to look...Boulengerochromis Microlepsis (said to be the largest cichlid):
*you know for such a large cichlid it was hard finding all this info. I dunno why.... Seems like a pretty awesome fish though, anyways I hope this helps some, if not then I am sorry and tell me what you do need to know and I'll try to find it!!*
Max. size: documented to grow up to 24inches, max. published weight: 4,500 g
Water Qualityt: freshwater; pH range: 9; dH range: 10
Tempature: tropical; 24 26°C
Food: Micro predators - High protein pellets and flake, live or frozen food of a suitable size.
Herbivores - Low protein high fibre pellets and flake (Goldfish food), cooked peas without skin, Cucumber slices, live/frozen food once per week. It is suggested that this fish gets a mix of both meaty and herbivore like foods, Granuar, Granumeat, Spirulina, and Granugreen are all what I have seen to be suggested.
Breeding: These fish are generally quite prolific and will spawn regularly if in good health and good water quality. They produce large well developed fry but only in small numbers sometimes as few as four. Although it is suggested that the will not breed in an aquarium unless you had a massive massive tank and tank set up. (didnt find much but here is a documentery on breeding them ):
http://www.cichlidae.com/article.php?id=89
*you know for such a large cichlid it was hard finding all this info. I dunno why.... Seems like a pretty awesome fish though, anyways I hope this helps some, if not then I am sorry and tell me what you do need to know and I'll try to find it!!*
Max. size: documented to grow up to 24inches, max. published weight: 4,500 g
Water Qualityt: freshwater; pH range: 9; dH range: 10
Tempature: tropical; 24 26°C
Food: Micro predators - High protein pellets and flake, live or frozen food of a suitable size.
Herbivores - Low protein high fibre pellets and flake (Goldfish food), cooked peas without skin, Cucumber slices, live/frozen food once per week. It is suggested that this fish gets a mix of both meaty and herbivore like foods, Granuar, Granumeat, Spirulina, and Granugreen are all what I have seen to be suggested.
Breeding: These fish are generally quite prolific and will spawn regularly if in good health and good water quality. They produce large well developed fry but only in small numbers sometimes as few as four. Although it is suggested that the will not breed in an aquarium unless you had a massive massive tank and tank set up. (didnt find much but here is a documentery on breeding them ):
http://www.cichlidae.com/article.php?id=89
