Post by barbara on Apr 28, 2009 10:42:20 GMT -5
There are so many fallacies facing Victorian cichlids, it's no wonder there aren't more keepers of these amazing colorful fish. Most of the Victorian cichlids are at risk in nature, so it is up to the hobbyist to preserve them for generations to come.
Keeping Victorians is like keeping mbuna. If you have been successful with mbuna, you can be successful with Vics. They like hard water, with a ph of 7.2-8.4, and a temperature of 74-80.
I always hear that "Victorian cichlids are so aggressive, they just kill each other off." While it is true that some Vic species are highly aggressive, this is similar to saying all mbuna are highly aggressive. This is a common idea, and it is false. The aggression levels of these fish range from mildly aggressive, like your Yellow lab, to highly aggressive, like a Kenyi. Managing that aggression is similar to managing it in mbuna species, correct stocking levels, enough space to define territories, and slight overcrowding.
Another common misconception that I hear often is that they are delicate fish. This is untrue. These fish are hardy, when kept in proper water conditions, and breed at a very young age. It is not uncommon to find a holding female in a grow out tank. It always amazes me to see an inch long female with a huge mouthful of fry.
One more: "All Victorians will cross breed." This one is really difficult, because some species will crossbreed. A lot of the Victorian females look very similar, and should not be combined. But, there are a few species that have males and females that are extremely different, and these have little risk of cross breeding. A piebald species, such as Paralabidochromis chromogynos or Paralabidochromis sp. "Red Fin Piebald" will not be eager to crossbreed with a female that is silver in coloration. You also must keep in mind the aggression levels of the fish you are attempting to mix. For example, the Haplochromis sp. "44" is a highly aggressive fish, and the males will mate with any type of female. This is a part of their territoriality. This species should be kept in a species only tank to limit hybridization.
I personally think the hardest part of keeping Victorians is correct identification of the species in question. A lot of the fish are similar, as they all have common decendants. We, unforunately, have caught them going extinct mid-evolution, and who knows what these species might have become if left on their own? This is where finding a quality breeder comes into play. You will see a lot of fish being sold under incorrect names, or hybrids being sold as true species. It is very hard to trust that the fish you will be receiving are true species.
Keeping Victorians is like keeping mbuna. If you have been successful with mbuna, you can be successful with Vics. They like hard water, with a ph of 7.2-8.4, and a temperature of 74-80.
I always hear that "Victorian cichlids are so aggressive, they just kill each other off." While it is true that some Vic species are highly aggressive, this is similar to saying all mbuna are highly aggressive. This is a common idea, and it is false. The aggression levels of these fish range from mildly aggressive, like your Yellow lab, to highly aggressive, like a Kenyi. Managing that aggression is similar to managing it in mbuna species, correct stocking levels, enough space to define territories, and slight overcrowding.
Another common misconception that I hear often is that they are delicate fish. This is untrue. These fish are hardy, when kept in proper water conditions, and breed at a very young age. It is not uncommon to find a holding female in a grow out tank. It always amazes me to see an inch long female with a huge mouthful of fry.
One more: "All Victorians will cross breed." This one is really difficult, because some species will crossbreed. A lot of the Victorian females look very similar, and should not be combined. But, there are a few species that have males and females that are extremely different, and these have little risk of cross breeding. A piebald species, such as Paralabidochromis chromogynos or Paralabidochromis sp. "Red Fin Piebald" will not be eager to crossbreed with a female that is silver in coloration. You also must keep in mind the aggression levels of the fish you are attempting to mix. For example, the Haplochromis sp. "44" is a highly aggressive fish, and the males will mate with any type of female. This is a part of their territoriality. This species should be kept in a species only tank to limit hybridization.
I personally think the hardest part of keeping Victorians is correct identification of the species in question. A lot of the fish are similar, as they all have common decendants. We, unforunately, have caught them going extinct mid-evolution, and who knows what these species might have become if left on their own? This is where finding a quality breeder comes into play. You will see a lot of fish being sold under incorrect names, or hybrids being sold as true species. It is very hard to trust that the fish you will be receiving are true species.
