Questions about Tilapia sp. Mamfe

[aquaticclarity]

Can any one here help me out with any tips for spawning Tilapia sp. Mamfe? I've had a group for some time now and have only gotten as far as what I think is pair clearing the gravel out of part of their 75 gallon tank. The group of 5 or 6 that I have range in size from roughly 4" to 6". I'd really like to have these guys spawn so any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Michel Keijman]

Ref: Tilapia spec. Mamfé

Hello Jeff,

I read your question about the Tilapia spec. Mamfé. I can tel you that I have a trio - 1 male and 2 female- wich I caught myself in feb 2007 in the Mamfue area. The male is about 23 cm and the females are about 15 cm. Untill now they spanned only once. They live in a 1100 liter aquarium together with 15 Hemichromis elongatus. Aftre the first time they spawned- wich not succeeded, they did not spawn again. It is pretty hard to repoduce them. But they are very nice to keep. My Fish are beautiful green/bleu. I like them very much. Let's keep in touch.

Regards Michel Keijman - the Netherlands

 

[aquaticclarity]

Thanks Michel. And welcome to the forum!

I find them to be very beautiful fish...the greens, blues, and even oranges are very striking. A few people in my general area have spawned them in the past, a few years ago, because there were little ones being passed around. I just don't remember exactly who and where those people are!

What is the water condition/chemistry of the tank you keep yours in?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[tjudy]

I have not kept this species, but it seems to be one of those that people either cannot get to breed or cannot stop from breeding. I wonder if it is an issue of pair compatibility like I have seen with other westies, like Pel. rubrolabiatus, Pel. signatus and Hem. sp. Guinea 1 and Guinea 2. With those species I have had several pairs that did not work out, and then I would get a single pair that would spawn (though not always successfully).

 

[Nebraska_cichlids]

Jeff:

Steve White in the Northeast spawned them successfully. He offered me some fry, but I passed because of the enormous size of the adults. Unfortunately, I don't think I have Steve's current contact information.

Janos

 

[aquaticclarity]

Janos,

How big were his adults? My larger sp. Mamfe are at least 6"-but if I pulled one out to measure 7"+ wouldn't surprise me.

If you find his contact info please PM me.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[tjudy]

I know the species made the rounds in the GCCA. You might post over there.

 

[aquaticclarity]

Already did that Ted, but thanks for the idea. I got less then enlightened responses though. More info on the "history" of the fish in the U.S. hobby then solid info that I could apply to triggering a spawn. But hopefully more people chime in on the GCA site with some hands-on info.

Jeff

 

[Nebraska_cichlids]

Jeff, I never bothered finding out how big Steve's Mamfe were when they spawned for him. I found an (outdated?) email address for Steve and just sent it your way by PM. Good luck!

Janos