Educating MFK on Africans!
- Thread starter Ash
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Variabilochromis moorii
General:
Variabilochromis moorii is substrate-spawning Tanganyikan fish first typed by Boulenger in 1898.
Both male and female are very dark, nearly black, and sport an electric blue edge to the tail fin. There are also blue highlights on the pectoral and dorsal fins. Synonyms for this fish are Lamprologus moorii or Neolamprologus moorii. In fact, the Variabilochromis nomenclature is farily new.
Habitat:
In the lake, Variabilochromis moorii is found in the shallow, rocky habitat. Numerous caves and rock surfaces are found in this area. Maximum depth in this area is 10M.
Care (water quality and temp):
Variabilochromis moorii is not difficult to keep. You can easily house a pair in a 20-gallon tank. Temperatures of around 78 to 80F work well. Like all Tanganyikans, provide hard water and do regular partial water changes. Maybe change 30-50% per week. About 7.2pH and 300 ppm hardness, or dH 8.2.
Feeding:
Variabilochromis moorii is easy to feed. Tetra Cichlid Flakes, Spirulina flakes, Tetra Cichlid Sticks and occasionally frozen adult brine shrimp or plankton.
Breeding:
Best housed in a 55gallon tank for breeding.
Since this fish is a secretive cave spawner, provide lots of caves and rockwork. My fish spawned in a 4-inch terracotta cave.
Variabilochromis moorii is fairly easy to sex. You can discern the sexes by watching parental behavior. The small male guards the outskirts of the territory. The always-alert female stays near the eggs/fry at all times.
Variabilochromis moorii forms solid pair bonds unlike the bulk of Lamprologines which are harem spawners. Once you have a pair, you can expect good production and compatibility for a long time.
Spawns for this fish can be quite large, up to 500
General:
Variabilochromis moorii is substrate-spawning Tanganyikan fish first typed by Boulenger in 1898.
Both male and female are very dark, nearly black, and sport an electric blue edge to the tail fin. There are also blue highlights on the pectoral and dorsal fins. Synonyms for this fish are Lamprologus moorii or Neolamprologus moorii. In fact, the Variabilochromis nomenclature is farily new.
Habitat:
In the lake, Variabilochromis moorii is found in the shallow, rocky habitat. Numerous caves and rock surfaces are found in this area. Maximum depth in this area is 10M.
Care (water quality and temp):
Variabilochromis moorii is not difficult to keep. You can easily house a pair in a 20-gallon tank. Temperatures of around 78 to 80F work well. Like all Tanganyikans, provide hard water and do regular partial water changes. Maybe change 30-50% per week. About 7.2pH and 300 ppm hardness, or dH 8.2.
Feeding:
Variabilochromis moorii is easy to feed. Tetra Cichlid Flakes, Spirulina flakes, Tetra Cichlid Sticks and occasionally frozen adult brine shrimp or plankton.
Breeding:
Best housed in a 55gallon tank for breeding.
Since this fish is a secretive cave spawner, provide lots of caves and rockwork. My fish spawned in a 4-inch terracotta cave.
Variabilochromis moorii is fairly easy to sex. You can discern the sexes by watching parental behavior. The small male guards the outskirts of the territory. The always-alert female stays near the eggs/fry at all times.
Variabilochromis moorii forms solid pair bonds unlike the bulk of Lamprologines which are harem spawners. Once you have a pair, you can expect good production and compatibility for a long time.
Spawns for this fish can be quite large, up to 500
Awe my gosh ash! You are awesome!! Into video games, African Cichlids and a looker... Can you cook?
This info is just what I have been looking for. I was into reef tanks way back but now, just getting back into aquariums, I am focusing on Africans. This info is great. Thanks for all of it.
This info is just what I have been looking for. I was into reef tanks way back but now, just getting back into aquariums, I am focusing on Africans. This info is great. Thanks for all of it.
Here is another smaller African (Lake Tanganyikan) that I ve always been intrested and want to keep, I love how they are either one color and their fins are bright and vibrant and also how they shine, very nice looking to me, but hard to find info on them, but this is what I got:
Xenotilapia Sima llangi
Maximum Size:
6 Inches
Minimum Tank Size:
80 Gallons , pH 7.2 hard water, make sure they have hiding spots and open space. Tropical Tempature.
Social Status:
Best kept in groups (Schooling)
Spawning Type:
Mouthbrooder , will breed if kept in the right settings.
Feeding Classification:
Carnivorous Sandsifter, live food such as shrimp, freeze dried foods and sinking pellets.
Xenotilapia Sima llangi
Maximum Size:
6 Inches
Minimum Tank Size:
80 Gallons , pH 7.2 hard water, make sure they have hiding spots and open space. Tropical Tempature.
Social Status:
Best kept in groups (Schooling)
Spawning Type:
Mouthbrooder , will breed if kept in the right settings.
Feeding Classification:
Carnivorous Sandsifter, live food such as shrimp, freeze dried foods and sinking pellets.
If I could get the money to get a seprate tank for them and actually and could find the fish and what not and set up a new tank I would. =) untill then I dunno much more =(Caveman said:You could raise them and get some more info for us on them.
Those are sweet to. I normally dont like little African Cichlids but those one have a odd look to them.
