Tilapia snyderae

[ronv]

I picked up a pair of these guys ( I hope it's a pair ), a couple of weeks ago. They seem to have settled well into a 20 gal. long. Tankmates are (4) 2" bristle nose plecos. PH 6.8, GH and KH is about 3. I have read that PH could be a little higher and they are vegeratians. That's about all I could find. Any other tips??? Thanks.

 

[tjudy]

Tilapia snyderae are only 'dwarf' in size... they will make up for it in aggression. If you have a pair, the male will grow two be much larger than the female with a higher profile and a lighter/shinier body color (my male was yellow except when spawning, when he was red). The male will also have a brighter blue/white lower lip. The females are a brick red most of the time, and the lip gets brighter when spawning.

Once they start to spawn, no fish is going to be safe with them. The male may also turn on the female. I would place a lot fo hiding places at both ends of a 20 long to help her out with staying away from tyhe male if he goes psycho on her. You may consider a larger tank. I kept mine in a 40 breeder, but I will try a 75 or 90 if I ever have the chance to have the species again. I fear for the life fo the female in confined quaters.

Veggie veggie veggie... Water conditions can vary.

 

[phil ryti]

Breeding snyderae

Do they spawn on flat stones, clay pots or on plants? I am working with what appear to be 2 pairs. They are being kept with a pair of Pelvicachromis pulcher and 2 plecos. Any breeding tips would be helpful.

 

[retro_gk]

They prefer to spawn in enclosed spaces; pots, tangles of driftwood or amongst rocks. My pair share a 20 long with a pair of Pelmatochromis nigrofasciatus. While they will shred anything of comparable or smaller size, larger, peaceful fish are usually left alone. My fish weren't very successful in raising their fry when kept with Benitochromis in a 40 breeder. The Pelmatochromis are a much better fit.

I seem to have lucked out with a compatible pair. A friend, who has siblings of my fish had his dominant male shred everyone else in a 40 flat. YMMV.

 

[phil ryti]

Breeding tips on Tilapia snyderae

Thank you for the info. I will add some more caves to see if that helps. I do see them turning red off and on. I was told by the breeder I received them from that this is mood dependent. The previous comments on this fish also mentioned veggies. For conditioning, unlike most cichlids do you think more green in their diet would spur them to breeding?

 

[retro_gk]

Once they reached maturity, my fish've been bright red 24/7. In addition, they develop a black throat and vertical barring when guarding fry.

I don't know about the vegetables in their diet, I feed them shrimp mix (equal parts shrimp and veggies) and live blackworms as a treat.

 

[phil ryti]

Information on color

Thanks for the reply. The fish I have very from about 1.5" to 2.5". Perhaps they are still young as far as color is concerned. They all have light blue lips.
I try the food suggestions as well.
Thank you,
Phil

 

[phil ryti]

Tilapia snyderae spawned

Success! My pair spawned in a flowerpot with a hole in the side. I lift the pot and found 50 eggs+. The male just fit into the hole of the pot. The eggs are dark green in color. The temp is 79.

 

[retro_gk]

Excellent. Expect the same every 3-4 weeks

 

[Xanathos]

Congratulations about the babies THey usually make excellent parents. My pair is currently taking care of a huge spawn, around 75-100 babies.

I might also add that they will eat virtually anything veggie that is in the tank. It includes cryptos, java moss and java fern, all plants that are usually left alone by most other fish.

When I saw this, I thought : all right, they must have a need for green food, so I'll feed them Tropheus lover veggie flakes and they wont touch my plants again.

I was wrong...

Phil