Nanochromis

[cacatuoides]

Hi folks,

I'm captivated by the amazing pictures of the nanochromis....I would love to have as much advise on these species before I place order for them in june....

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Randall]

Hello cacatuoides,

Unfortunately, the Nanochromis species profiles on apistogramma.com are no longer accessible. What would you like to know?

All the best,

Randall Kohn

 

[Mike Wise]

I recommend that you first buy a copy of Anton Lamboj's book "The Cichlid Fishes of Western Africa". You will find it very valuable.

 

[cacatuoides]

Randall: I'm interested in getting N. Transvestites and Dimidiatus, would appreciate if any keepers of these species could share any personal experience with them...

I have a few empty tanks with Ph of 5.5 and below, and excited about acquiring them...thanks!

Mike: I'll try look for the book and order it if available :biggrin:

 

[tjudy]

The front end content site is back on line, so you should be able to get to the Nanochromis profiles now.

 

[Randall]

Nanochromis spp.

Hello cacatuoides,

As Mike suggests, Anton Lamboj's book is by far the best resource we have on western African cichlids. I highly recommend it.

Nanochromis transvestitus is endemic to Lake Mai Ndombe and immediate vicinity in the Dem. Rep. of the Congo. This species is found in black water that is high in humic content (pH 4.0, GH 1-2). They do well in soft water that has been conditioned with peat moss at 25.5-27 degrees C.

As for N. dimidiatus, I'm not sure exactly which species you mean. The species that was commonly labled "Nanochromis dimidiatus" in the U.S. hobby was described as N. sabinae by Dr. Lamboj in 2005. Like congener N. transvestitus, N. sabinae is also found in black water that is soft and acidic at 24-25 degrees C. Here is a link to the species profile on apistogramma.com:

http://www.apistogramma.com/cms/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=533&Itemid=60

Good luck!

All the best,

Randall Kohn

 

[ed seeley]

Hi Cacatuoides,
I've kept both N.transvestitus and currently have N.sabinae, one of the possible species that may be the 'dimidiatus' as Randall said!

I found the transvestitus fairly aggressive compared to kribs and apistos and the male ended up killing the female. I think a three foot tank would be a good size to keep a pair in.

I've currently got a reverse trio of N.sabinae left (I lost 1 female!). These are really not aggressive, but the my males do seem to give the females a slightly hard time. For this reason my two males are currently in my jail/quarantine tank that is only 14" long and they display a bit and chase but there's no damage. I can't think of many West Africans where you could get away with doing that!!!

Basically I've found Nanochromis a challenge as the pair bonds don't seem to be stable and they fall out a lot - a complete opposite to the Pelvicachromis I've kept.

Your water seems pretty low pH already and adding some peat to the filter may help lower it a bit more and add some nice tannins to the water as Randall said.

Good luck!

 

[tjudy]

Your source for N. transvestitus may influence what you need to provide as well. My wild fish were meaner than any westie I have had, and they were sticklers for the low pH and low conductivity. The only spawning action I saw came when the pH was below 5.5. Their fry, however, were reared in water significantly harder and more alkaline. I am hoping that one result will be that they are more tolerant of harder water conditions. They are just old enough to start pairing off, and are showing some courtship behavior in water that is pH 6.0, KH 1 and conductivity of 60-100 mS (30 - 50 ppm TDS). I have been told be aquarist with more experience withe the species that F1 and F2 fish are easier to work with than the wilds.

 

[Lisachromis]

http://www.apistogramma.com/cms/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=294&Itemid=34

 

[cacatuoides]

Thanks for your advices. I'll be getting a pair of P. Taeniatus "Dehane" in 2 days time...I will keep them and gather experience and also study their behaviour till I ever get to get my hands wet on any nanochromis species....really hard to get in Singapore, probably have to import....anyone in US is selling any? :biggrin:

 

[scope]

Hi folks,

I'm captivated by the amazing pictures of the nanochromis....I would love to have as much advise on these species before I place order for them in june....

Thanks in advance!!

Hey Bro,
Where do you place order to in SIngapore?

 

[cacatuoides]

I'm getting it from an importer who got a box in from Germany.

Fish is due to arrive in Singapore tomorrow noon....will call you up one of this days, terribly busy and tight this week...will be going for aquarama on sunday, will you be going? :biggrin:

 

[cacatuoides]

Anyone has sources in USA who are willing to ship out these species to Singapore?