Please can you help me

[African_Kongo]

Hello ,
i have one question , i have a pair of Benitochromis nigrodorsalis but i dont now is it a pair or not .
Please can you help me ?
The male is very agro to the "Female?"
Here is a Photo , i hope it is god enough .
Sorry for my bad english . I come from Germany .

 

[tjudy]

I think that you have a male and a female. If they are not spawning, try separating the two and then reintroducing them after a couple weeks. You might also try some other cichlids, such as small tilapia or large kribs, in the tank with the pair.

 

[KevinB]

I initially purchased six B. nigrodorsalis. Every one was very aggressive to every other one. But then it became obvious that a pair had formed. The two of them tolerated eachother, even when sharing the cave/space. At least for now, they are not showing any aggression toward eachother at all. I removed the other four and I noticed today that I believe the female was holding. I'm not sure since the bulge is very small.

http://www.african-cichlid.com/Nigrodorsalis.htm
Here they are^.

Kevin

 

[DWFISH]

I agree with Ted, I think it is a pair, I have two different types of Benitochromis and both types the female have a little color in the tail and the male does not. the color is at the top of the tail.

 

[retro_gk]

Kevin,
IME, Chromidotilapia do not have noticeably bulging throats when brooding. I've had spawns in excess of 40 fry, with C. guntheri where the only sign they were holding was their refusal to eat.

 

[African_Kongo]

Hi Ted ,
ok , i try to seperate the two . I have any other Cichlids in this tank , Hemichromis spec. "Bangui " , Anomalochromis thomasi , and Thysochromis ansorgi .
But the first two species i will give away .
Can i try Chromidotilapia guentheri in the tank with the Benitochromis , or not ?
I hope you can read it .

 

[KevinB]

Kevin,
IME, Chromidotilapia do not have noticeably bulging throats when brooding. I've had spawns in excess of 40 fry, with C. guntheri where the only sign they were holding was their refusal to eat.

I guess that time will tell. When I went to feed them, the little bulge was gone from the female and appeared in the male. The male didn't eat, but the female did. Hopefully, it's just not wishful thinking on my part.
Kevin

 

[retro_gk]

I'd say there is a fair chance you have fry. Does the male show vertical barring, by any chance?

 

[KevinB]

Does the male show vertical barring, by any chance?

No, no vertical baring at all. I've spent a lot of time hoping to view the fry transfer with no success. The male spends more time holding than the female does, at least when I'm watching that is. Whomever is holding hides under a rock in the back corner of the tank. I've also noticed that the holding fishes lips protrude the tiniest little bit as well.

Kevin

 

[retro_gk]

I haven't managed to catch a fry transfer before they were free swimming. They are very good at doing nothing while you watch. The behavior you've described is indicative of a brooding pair, though.

 

[KevinB]

The little newborns were out and about for a short period of time today. I wish they were where I could get a decent picture. I couldn't even get a count.

Kevin