a couple weeks ago i came across some very small pundamilia nyererei(ruti island coloration supposedly) for 2 bucks each. I bought 4 of them and they are now just reaching about an inch. they still all look the same, although the 2 slightly larger ones have egg spots. should i be able to tell males apart from females at this size? I dont want to end up with all males, or worse, all females.
pundamilia nyererei
- Thread starter nmrsco
- Start date
Hey, congrats! They are a gorgeous fish when they reach adult size.
It's really hard to tell sex at that size. The males don't all color up right away and I have even heard about false coloring. The females will often have egg spots, but they are usually smaller spots.
An expert might be able to tell the difference, but I know even experienced keepers have trouble sexing them at that size.
By the way, I am hoping that you have 1 male and 3 females. Two or more males would be very aggressive towards each other. 1M/3F would make a nice breeding group too.
My guy has been the one terror of all the fish I own. He was originally in a general Cichlid community tank. One morning, I woke up to find he had killed off every male. I replaced 3 of them and two days later, they two were gone. He has been in a breeder with a couple of females for awhile since. Recently, I had to isolate a tail-less female. Just tonight, I added another large piece of holey rock and re-arranged structure. Not sure if I just happened to get the Ted Bundy of Makobe Island Vics...but this guy is pure evil.
Good luck to you! Post photos when you can
It's really hard to tell sex at that size. The males don't all color up right away and I have even heard about false coloring. The females will often have egg spots, but they are usually smaller spots.
An expert might be able to tell the difference, but I know even experienced keepers have trouble sexing them at that size.
By the way, I am hoping that you have 1 male and 3 females. Two or more males would be very aggressive towards each other. 1M/3F would make a nice breeding group too.
My guy has been the one terror of all the fish I own. He was originally in a general Cichlid community tank. One morning, I woke up to find he had killed off every male. I replaced 3 of them and two days later, they two were gone. He has been in a breeder with a couple of females for awhile since. Recently, I had to isolate a tail-less female. Just tonight, I added another large piece of holey rock and re-arranged structure. Not sure if I just happened to get the Ted Bundy of Makobe Island Vics...but this guy is pure evil.
Good luck to you! Post photos when you can
thanks alot thats good to hear. 1 male/ 3 females would be great but the chances of that are pretty slim. I wouldve bought more of them but there were only 5 at the store, and one of them was much bigger than the others so I took the 4 smaller ones. I'll be happy with 1 male though! I'll try to get some pictures but theyre small and quick. another question- there are 4 rosy barbs in there with them. would they would grow faster if i moved the barbs? its a 35 gallon tank (im planning on moving the cichlids when they grow)
I don't think they would grow any faster by removing the barbs. Eventually, you will want to though lol. To help with growth, I bumped my temp up a bit to 82, added an air stone and fed a tiny bit many times during the day. I got pretty close to 2:1 growth rate compared to their siblings at the LFS.
Good luck with them!
Good luck with them!
thanks alot for the advice. how long do you think before they start to really get color? Im trying to find my brothers camera to get some pictures
You're welcome...and good question. You might start seeing a hint of coloring in the males at any time, but it will be light and will fade in and out. The coloring will be pretty pale for a couple of months yet. To some degree, coloring will depend on your M/F ratio. Also, your water parameters will affect coloring (once they have color that is).
Not sure if I answered your question or not But, the short answer is...not for awhile lol.
Take care...
Not sure if I answered your question or not
But, the short answer is...not for awhile lol.Take care...
thanks again. can't get any decent pics of them, too small and active. unfortunately I'm probably going to basic training for the army in may, hopefully they will get some color before I'm out of here.
I just picked up a pundamilia pundamilia...a little less colorful with some definate attitude. The LFS didn't know what he was so I got him for $5. He is about 4 in and shows some nice color. They had him in a mixed Malawi tank and his tail had a couple splits. Right now I am feeding him up and hoping his color gets better as he gets more comfortable.