Fossorichromis rostratus info.

[JohnnyRooster]

this guy is the last on my wish list, as far as Malawi's are concern. I'm look to get a M soon. I would like some input/experience that anyone can share about this guy.

I only plan to get 1 M, no F. I know there schooling fish. So a major Q. of mine is, would it be worth it to just have 1 M, as far as color and temperment of the fish? I do have one M Blue dolphin that he can hang out with.

 

[JohnnyRooster]

oh ya. I forgot to mention, please post pics, cause I love torchering myself!!!

 

[MalawiTango]

Whats up Johnny!?! I have one thats coming along nicely at 4.5 inches. He changed from all silver and black to a bronze color with black markings and dark fins top and bottom. My other one is 7 inches or so and completely silver but he is new and I assume he is still working into the pecking order before he shows any color. At this point im not even sure he is a male but his fin shapes are identical to my other small one.

big one in front and smaller dude in the back.

 

[JohnnyRooster]

Whats up Johnny!?! I have one thats coming along nicely at 4.5 inches. He changed from all silver and black to a bronze color with black markings and dark fins top and bottom. My other one is 7 inches or so and completely silver but he is new and I assume he is still working into the pecking order before he shows any color. At this point im not even sure he is a male but his fin shapes are identical to my other small one.

big one in front and smaller dude in the back.

What's up Tango...lol, in pics #2, I got confused on why you were holding up a whoopy cushion in the bottom right corner. I figured it out.

Anyway, you have some great looking fish. So how long have you had them? Now the smaller guy you had first, so how did he do by himself and for how long was he by himself. Plus, how did you know he was a male. I though it took longer to show the M colors.

Ill keep Q. short. I've got tons of Q., but dont what them to get lost in one big post.
Is that a Madagascaran that i see in pic one.

 

[MalawiTango]

haha no whoopee cusion.

The smaller one ive had for a few months, I ordered him from a local distributor and it was described as "showing color" so it was a lucky score. Hes well behaved and just minds his business sifting sand. who knows when he gets bigger though.

The other fish in the first pic is a Buccochoromis Nototaenia.

 

[JohnnyRooster]

haha no whoopee cusion.

The smaller one ive had for a few months, I ordered him from a local distributor and it was described as "showing color" so it was a lucky score. Hes well behaved and just minds his business sifting sand. who knows when he gets bigger though.

The other fish in the first pic is a Buccochoromis Nototaenia.

LOL...I was way off I thought it was a Buffalohead. Sorry I'm on my iPhone, my pc is down, so I miss details sometimes, I thought I seen the start of a hump.

I hope my lfs can order one for me. I dont trust ordering, I had a bad experience once.
So do they really dig through the sand that much? They reason I ask is because I have 3-5mm smooth pebbles, not sand, so I am concerned a little. I do have a Protomelas sp(mara rock) that sifts alot with no problems. What do you think? I would love to switch to black sand, but man what a process that would be. With the aggression I'm not worried about, I was more worried about if he felt comfortable by himself, but you answered that. Are they fast or slow growers and how big do you think there really going to get? I've never seen one in person, so nothing to really go by except pics and stats.

 

[Wimmels]

A Fossorochromis Rostratus is one of the larger Malawi Haps, but not as aggressive as a Buccochromis or Champsochromis. Because they get so large they can be a pain when other fish attempt to breed.

As you only plan to keep males, you shouldn't have a real problem.

They are quite nice to have in the tank though as they feed out of the bottom in the nature. These fish will keep digging in the sand for food, so your bottom should be clean most of the time. If you have a good rostratus he will hide under the sand if he is threatened or startled.


My own Rostratus is about 7-8 years old now, and just over the 30cm or 12".

 

[MalawiTango]

Johnny, if he can sift through your small pebbles he should be ok. Black sand is awesome but I went with the natural colored sand. As soon as I put the small guy in there he went right to work sifting through the sand and even though he is smaller he is an aggresive enough eater to not get left behind. The one Ive had for about 3 months seems to have grown atleast and inch since I got him. Fed twice a day in a 6 foot tank. Good luck bud.

 

[JohnnyRooster]

thank for the help guys. Great looking fish wimmels. At 12" I can handle that, I plan on upgrading from my 180g someday anyway. Both you guys say they sift alot, so it must be true. Well I guess you guys answer most of my Q. Thanks you 2.

I would still like to keep this thread going, I know a Fosso is not the most popular fish out there but I know there's alot more people that have them so let see some pics.
Oh and toss in your exp.

 

[Malawi Hawk]

Can I keep Fossorichromis Rostratus species if I have a smaller gravel bottom?
I use to have a Nototania Buccochromis and traded him in do to agression, man I wish I would of kept that bad boy. I ordered him, and regret I traded away.