Benitochromis nigrodorsalis

[Daniel L]

After succeeding with Benitochromis nigrodorsalis, I bought two new benitochromis / chromidotilapia species. These are:

Benitochromis riomuniensis (Chromidotilapia finleyi "Campo")
Chromidotilapia sp. Eseka

Does anyone have experience with either one or another of these species? I'm looking for breeding information, spawning trigger, etc.

Daniel (Quebec City, Canada)

 

[Randall]

Benitochromis riomuniensis & B. sp. "Eseka"

After succeeding with Benitochromis nigrodorsalis, I bought two new benitochromis / chromidotilapia species. These are:

Benitochromis riomuniensis (Chromidotilapia finleyi "Campo")
Chromidotilapia sp. Eseka

Does anyone have experience with either one or another of these species? I'm looking for breeding information, spawning trigger, etc.

Dear Daniel,

Wow! Good choices!

Both Benitochromis riomuniensis and B. sp. "Eseka" will do well in soft, acidic water with low conductivity at about 76 degrees F. Both species are monogamous, pair-bonding, maternal ovophilic mouthbrooders. A varied diet of shrimpy stuff, insect larvae (blood worms and glass worms), Daphnia, Cyclops and an occasional worm should do it. Rich fatty foods should be avoided.

May I ask where you got them, please?

Thanks and good luck!

All the best,

Randall Kohn

 

[Daniel L]

Benitochromis riomuniensis & B. sp. "Eseka"

First, thank you very much for the input. The sp.Eseka is a bit rough with each other. I had (what I suspect to be) the male killed a tankmate. I (almost) cried when I sent the dead body to the fishes' heaven. I tought I would get more info here, which I got. I still don't know how to reduce the agression for the one left in the tank.

May I ask where you got them, please?

Sounds like it's time for a good publicity. Oliver Lucanus (www.belowwater.com) has received a share of new and rare west african lately. I suggest anyone interested in west africans to have a look at his stocklist because, I don't know how long this is going to last.

 

[Randall]

Benitochromis sp. "Eseka"

Dear Daniel,

Oh, I forgot to mention, Benitochromis sp. "Eseka" tend to be aggressive, but manageably so. I would recommend that this species not be housed in anything smaller than a 55-gallon tank.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[Fogelhund]

Benitochromis riomuniensis & B. sp. "Eseka"

Sounds like it's time for a good publicity. Oliver Lucanus (www.belowwater.com) has received a share of new and rare west african lately. I suggest anyone interested in west africans to have a look at his stocklist because, I don't know how long this is going to last.

Keep in mind, he has a $USD 200 minimum, no exceptions. Nice fish list though.

 

[Daniel L]

I had relative success with this family of fishes whenever I put another fish with it. Ideally this fish has to be weak enough not to harm the chromidos and stupid enough to think they can challenge for the control of the aquarium. Just together, they do well too. I have found that any kribensis or hemichromis fit perfectly that description.

All of my chromidos are housed in 40 gallons, breeders.

I might have fallen on a psycho male. I have found no sign of fight, no wound, no swollen bellies. I suspect them to be so nasty that they only need one goog shot to kill. But they're so nice...

Dan