Orange and Green Chromides at the 'Salad Bar'

[notho2000]

My two species of brackish water chromides, Etroplus maculatus and Etroplus suratensis love their veggies. Here, a sheet of nori has got their attention.
Play full screen and on HD for best results.
[video=youtube_share;d2qn8JIBJb4]http://youtu.be/d2qn8JIBJb4[/video]

 

[Ryan_R]

Wow! Wish I could find some maculatus around here!

-Ryan

 

[viejafish]

Jim, you post it in the wrong forum. Chromides are Asian cichlid, not African.

 

[duanes]

Etroplus are very closely related to Madagascans (Paretroplus)
and since there really isn't a natural/endemic Asian cichlid section, this is probably the best and onlymspot to place a thread.
Mine are greedy hair algae eaters
Just an aside, probably because they are geographically separated, and maybe some of the most primitive of cichlids, Etroplus and Paretroplus have a unique hearing mechanism that sets them apart from all other cichlids.

 

[viejafish]

Will they eat beard algae? I want to get rid of ugly beard algae in my tank. What does it mean by unique hearing mechanism?

 

[duanes]

I have seen them eat all types of algae, and other higher plants, but I'm not sure of the term beard algae, if it is cyanobacteria, I doubt they will eat it.
As far as their unique hearing system, there is a TV show on the discovery/science channel, called "Rise of the Continents" Eurasia, that spends a few moments explaining it, and the evolutionary connection between India and Madagascar much better than I could.

 

[LS2012]

+1 Duane, I completely agree this is the best location. "Rise of the Contintents" Eurasia episode is an excellent documentary.

 

[Ryan_R]

Etroplus are very closely related to Madagascans (Paretroplus)
and since there really isn't a natural/endemic Asian cichlid section, this is probably the best and onlymspot to place a thread.
Mine are greedy hair algae eaters
Just an aside, probably because they are geographically separated, and maybe some of the most primitive of cichlids, Etroplus and Paretroplus have a unique hearing mechanism that sets them apart from all other cichlids.

Yep. Just 'cuz India broke away from Gondwana and wound up in Asia doesn't mean Etroplus is Asian.

Tell us more about the hearing mechanism! I knew Etroplus and Paretroplus have their own clade. Did not know they shared a hearing specialization.

Thanks!

-Ryan

 

[duanes]

The swim bladder in the cichlids of Madagascar and India are double lobed, and the inner ear is somehow connected to the lobe, which intensifies auditory sensitivity(1).
This may be why breeding in aquaria it is often problematic, it is thought that the constant drone or sound of electric equipment such as pumps, is disturbing enough to upset normal breeding activites.
(1)Relationship between Swim Bladder Morphology and Hearing Abilities–A Case Study on Asian and African Cichlids
Tanja Schulz-Mirbach,1,* Brian Metscher,2 and Friedrich Ladich1
Harold A. Burgess, Editor

 

[Ryan_R]

Very cool! What a small world: Brian Metscher is a big name after using iodine staining in microCT, which transformed anatomical imaging! I'll find that paper!

Thanks!

-Ryan