Info needed on Steatocranus tinanti!!!

[BoBzz]

Well impulse took over and saw them on the fish list and ordered me one. I'll have to order quite a few more though get a nice little group. Cute lil fish though couldnt find much info on them but im guessing they would be ok in the average west african river set up right? I am picking up a pair of Nanochromis parllius(sp?) to go into it as well. I expect the same great help that I have had before lol Thanks in advance.

 

[Randall]

West African Dwarf Cichlids

Dear BoBzz,

Glad to hear that you're interested in West African dwarf cichlids, in addition to the ones from South America.

For information concerning Steatocranus tinanti, Nanochromis parilus and a slew of others, please pick yourself up a copy of Linke & Staeck's African Cichlids I - Cichlids from West Africa, Tetra-Press 1994, ISBN 1-56465-166-5. It's the best English language book on the subject.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[BoBzz]

I would also like to keep a small school of riverine Synos with them to keep them busy and because all the African tetras are OOOOGLY any ideas im thinkin Angelicus but i would have to get a larger tank for them right?

 

[Randall]

West African Set UP

Dear Sam,

There are some magnificent African tetras. Please consider Neolebias ansorgei and any of the Phenacogrammus sp., for starters. West Africa (Cameroon) is also home to a bright red dwarf barb, Puntius jae.

For images, please have a look at Ariel Bornstein's web site, http://blackwater.50megs.com/index.htm. You might want to check out his article concerning Biotoecus opercularis there as well. It was published in the ACA's "Buntbarsche Bulletin" in 2001.

As for Synodontis sp. in a West African dwarf cichlid set up, well if you kept enough Nanochromis sp. in the tank, you'd never have to feed the Synodontis.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[Sam]

Steato Info

You have excellent taste in regard to dwarf cichlids, but I beg to differ with your opiunion of African tetras. Congo tetras, for instance, are pretty greens, reds, golds, and blues as adults, while the males grow beautiful fin extensions. Another plus, juveniles can be acquired for about three (US) dollars each. Other great african tetras are the tiny ones in the genus Neolebias, and the larger ones in the genuses Micralestes and Alestes. If you are in Europe or Asia, the jellybean tetra (Ladigesia roloffi) are another option. Also, lampeye killies and african barbs are quite nice, though usually on the expensive side.
It is my experience that even wild caught S. tinanti does not nescessarily need dithers to breed, but they may be useful for your N. parillus. I have found that it is best to feed your Steatos a mixed diet of frozen bloodworms, small cichlid pellet, a meaty flake food and occasional live worms or chopped earthworm. They are not really agressive when not breeding, but can hold their own in rougher communities. They are fairly tolerant of a variety of water conditions, but soft and slightly acid is best for breeding. They form strong pair bonds and breed in a small cave or crevice. Despite their appearance, they are not mouth brooders.
They shpould do well in a mixed W. African community. I hope this helps, Sam.

PS As I write this I have just released the first fish into my office fish tank: two pair of the F1 Steatocranus tinanti, born a nd raised in my fishroom!

 

[BoBzz]

Sam: WOW Go you!!! Man I am very jealous!!!

The fish I ordered was DOA at the fish store but it cost me nothing so ill just order a pair next week. I just ordered about 8 anubias plants for my tank and lookin to buy a nice little school of my chosen charachin.......drumroll please.........(DISTICHODUS AFFINIS)!!!! I couldnt believe how awesome these guys looked and they seem like they would be able to take a beating if given one by the breeding cichlids. So does that sound good or no? i will only have anubias so plant munching wont be a prob and every once and awhile ill buy them some plants to mow on. Thanks for all the great advice you guys have given me i am totally psyched about this tank

 

[Sam]

Distichodus are big

How big is your tank? The distichodus sound good, but they get to about 7 inches and may be expensive, depending on where you live. In my area, they run at about $20 for a four inch specimen. Once the steatos are established, they are quite hardy. Good Luck, Sam