Pelmatochromis nigrofasciatus

[KevinB]

For whatever reason, there seems to be an influx of nice african riverines available around my town recently. But being somewhat new to them, I'd like a bit of info on compatability. I have a 46 gallon bowfront with 6 Benitochromis nigrodorsalis (2.5" TL) and a 55 gallon tank with 6 Thoracochromis brauschi (2.5" TL). Both are single species tanks. The LFS now has Pelmatochromis nigrofasciatus available. I will likely pass on this opportunity, but I would like to know what the possibility of housing a few of these in either tank might be..... just in case my willpower weakens.

Kevin

 

[tjudy]

Randall has more experience with this species than I do. My limited experience has been that P. nigrofasciatus is relatively benign other than when spawning. They get larger than the other species you have, but the larger size may serve them well in the presence of more aggressive, but smaller, species.

 

[Randall]

Hello Kevin,

I agree with Ted in that Pelmatochromis nigrofasciatus is a benign (and very beautiful) form. I've housed large adults in a community type situation with other appropriately sized fishes with no problems.

Reading your post, however, given the sizes of your tanks and the numbers of fish in each, you may be sufficiently stocked, if you take the adult sizes of your fishes into consideration. I'm so sorry, to have to tell you this, but it's time to buy another tank or two. ;-)

Good luck with your new fish!

All the best,

Randall Kohn

 

[KevinB]

Hello Kevin,
Reading your post, however, given the sizes of your tanks and the numbers of fish in each, you may be sufficiently stocked, if you take the adult sizes of your fishes into consideration. I'm so sorry, to have to tell you this, but it's time to buy another tank or two.
Randall Kohn

Yes, I assumed as much. The nigrodorsalis and brauschi are two of my favorites. When they need better accomodations, I will either split the group into more than one 55 gallon tank, or set up a bigger tank. That's not a problem. (You're not saying I need more than a 55 with reduced numbers, right?)

I've done some research and haven't been able to find much information about the compatability of the African riverines with other riverines. I've concluded that most people do not house them in larger numbers as they do Malawi's (which I am much more familiar with.) I'm assuming that this is because of their pair-bonding nature.

In some ways my question is more general in nature. What would be the "ideal" (ahem) way to maintain these three species. In large numbers of each species or in smaller numbers. Together in one large (125 gallon?) tank or in mostly single species tanks (not counting dithers or non-cichlids etc.)

Kevin

 

[Randall]

Housing African riverine cichlids

Hello Kevin,

Species selection and stocking densities are really a judgement call. Having stated this much, I can't agree with you more: breeding behavior may be a determining factor concerning which species to keep and how many of each species to select.

Your favorites, Benitochromis nigrodorsalis and Thoracochromis brauschi (my, you have excellent taste!) are bi-parental ovophilic mouthbrooders and agamous maternal ovophilic mouthbrooders respectively (agamous means that males are rank skirt chasers--the shameless little hussies). In that both are mouthbrooders and consequently utilize less space when spawning, combining the two forms in one tank may be preferable to combining one or the other with a pair-bonding open substrate spawner like Pelmatochromis nigrofasciatus. Larger open substrate spawners produce large clutches of eggs and defend territories that are directly proportional to their size and the size of their clutch. However, some Benitochromis species (i.e., B. nigrodorsalis) exhibit high levels of intraspecific aggression, so spliting up breeding pairs may be necessary, while Pelmatochromis spp. by comparison are peaceful among conspecifics. As a polygamous haplochromine, T. brauschi does better in groups, however when a dominant more colorful male emerges, the other males in the group do not exhibit their best colors. To realize better coloration, the males need be split up.

So getting back to your question, the mouthbrooding species may do better together initially, but an adjustment may be necessary when they become sexually active. The open substrate spawner may do better in a species tank with non-cichlid heterospecifics.

Whew!

Good luck!

Randall Kohn