Not a dull moment with Westies...

[dcubed1988]

I'm a newbie aquarist and I just wanted to pass on my excitement with the hobby and with West African cichlids.

I've had my westie tank (50gln) going for about 4 months with 1pr of C. Finleyi "Mungo"; 1pr of P.Taeniatus "Lokunje"; and a Syno Shoutedeni and I haven't had a dull moment since.

About 8 weeks ago, my finleyi's successfully spawned. The cool part was that I actually witnessed the spawning! The bad...no film in the camera. A few days ago they started showing their courtship behavior and they spawned again yesterday. My lokunje's have spawned once but not successfully.

I have a good friend who suggested westies as my first cichlids and its been great fun so far! As I've mentioned...Not a dull moment!

Any comments or words of wisdom are appreciated.

 

[Scooter]

Congrats on the spawns and welcome to the forum!

 

[Neil]

dcubed1988,

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

That really sounds like a nice little set-up. I have had good success with keeping taeniatus with Chromidotuilapines, but I usually make sure that the Pelvicachromis have a head start on them. In this way, I have had spawns from both being raised in relatively close quarters. Good luck with this interesting tank!
Neil

 

[dcubed1988]

Thanks for the welcome Neil.

I'm thinking about moving the synodontis out...I don't want the new babies getting unwanted attention!

Something interesting I've noticed...
Before the first spawn, I would keep the aqaurium light on from late afternoon until I went to bed and there was no over aggression by the male finleyi towards the female. About a week or two leading up to the second spawning I've had to keep the light off, because the male would start chasing the female around the tank and she would look for a corner to hide out in (her color would change to black on her body) and she would look stressed. But when the light was out, they would both be swimming next to each other, each going through their courtship behaviors...no problems. Any reasons why?? The only thing different (from the first time that I can tell) is that there are some of the fry in the aquarium with them from the first spawn. Could that have something to do with their behavior change?

Since the second spawn, if I turn on the light they both seem to get aggressive with each other until the light is turned off, then there is peace and harmony...very interesting!?

Doug

 

[Randall]

Benitochromis finleyi

Dear Doug,

It's nice to hear that you're enjoying your fish so much!

If your male Benitochromis finleyi is chasing his mate when the lights are on, you might try removing the fry from the first spawn. The male may be ready to spawn again, and the female may not be quite ready due to because there are fry present. This is not etched in stone by any means, but I think it's worth a shot.

You might also try adding some characins to the mix, either African or South American. The presence of some dithers may diffuse the male's aggression.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[dcubed1988]

Thanks Randall!!

I have been thinking of adding some Congo's.

Much Appreciation!

Doug