just arrived this morning via Gage at Cichlidconnection, 15 juvies A rostratum.
pic taken about 10 minutes after adding to their quarantine tank
pic taken about 10 minutes after adding to their quarantine tank
new arrivals Astatheros rostratum
- Thread starter duanes
- Start date
I love the looks of this genus but have heard mixed reviews about personality, often shy and not very personable. Any who I'm sure you'll work your magic and post an update next summer and I'll find myself contemplating them again.
I have kept Astatheros nourissatti and A robertsoni in the past.
With robertsoni, I found if kept as pairs or as a single specimen they were very shy and paranoid.
I believe these, along with the Thorichthys genus, are the Central American equivalent to the Geophagines in S America, and would thus best be kept in groups in large tanks to keep the shyness down.
I have found almost all earth eating cichlids (even the African groups) are gregarious and do better housed this way.
Although with African eartheaters like Fossorochromis rostratus, groups of females are fine, but adding a male can get crazy if the tank is as small as 150 gallons, or less.
We shall see in time if rostratum are the same, that's one of the reasons I ordered a large group.
With robertsoni, I found if kept as pairs or as a single specimen they were very shy and paranoid.
I believe these, along with the Thorichthys genus, are the Central American equivalent to the Geophagines in S America, and would thus best be kept in groups in large tanks to keep the shyness down.
I have found almost all earth eating cichlids (even the African groups) are gregarious and do better housed this way.
Although with African eartheaters like Fossorochromis rostratus, groups of females are fine, but adding a male can get crazy if the tank is as small as 150 gallons, or less.
We shall see in time if rostratum are the same, that's one of the reasons I ordered a large group.
Very nice group of rostratus. They should do great in groups. They are really slow growers. They are very much like thorichthys, geos and other substrait sifters. I keep a 6"+ rostratus w/ a 10" robertsoni in a 150g.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
I keep a 6"+ rostratus w/ a 10" robertsoni in a 150g.
Both are very nice specimens.
It is now 5 days, and all 15 are alive and kicking.
Rather than move them from the quarantine, it seems to be a good grow out tank for a while, so the 55 is now planted, an algae covered log, and a few rocks dropped in.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app[/QUOTE]
Both are very nice specimens.
It is now 5 days, and all 15 are alive and kicking.
Rather than move them from the quarantine, it seems to be a good grow out tank for a while, so the 55 is now planted, an algae covered log, and a few rocks dropped in.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app[/QUOTE]
Sharp looking tank duanes ... great place to grow out. Looking forward to seeing them grow, Astaheros seem to be under represented here.
I agree about being under represented.
There are at least 12 species of Astatheros, which make much better aquarium fish because of their milder temperament.
Meaning they are not as apt to kill their tankmates in relatively small aquariums, of 50 to 150 gallons.
Just as there are 12 of species of Herichthys and 5 species of Parachromis, that are really best kept as a single species per tank, unless the tanks are 240 gallons plus.
Don't get me wrong, I think all are fabulous, and I have kept many over the years, but most of the last 2 genus are really too ornery/or big for what most fish keepers are willing or able to provide room for.
There are at least 12 species of Astatheros, which make much better aquarium fish because of their milder temperament.
Meaning they are not as apt to kill their tankmates in relatively small aquariums, of 50 to 150 gallons.
Just as there are 12 of species of Herichthys and 5 species of Parachromis, that are really best kept as a single species per tank, unless the tanks are 240 gallons plus.
Don't get me wrong, I think all are fabulous, and I have kept many over the years, but most of the last 2 genus are really too ornery/or big for what most fish keepers are willing or able to provide room for.
Astatheros species are by far my favorite. Currently have 6 rostratus ranging from 4-6" in a 75g. I keep 3 wild ones in a 300g along with a group of 4 nourisatti and 3 wild longimanus.
I agree very under represented and looking forward to this group growing. Rostratus are very slow growing cichlids, but they are so worth the wait. Especially in good lighting the colors are so amazing. They have a lot of personality too.