10 replies to this topic

[me]

hey,
I have been doing alot of research on the tropheus species especially the tropheus moori 'bemba' and Tropheus Brichardi 'Katonga'.
I have 1 katonga which is by his lonesome in my 5 x 2 x 2 and i might be purchasing a colony of 10 bemba.
Can everyone who knows stuff about bemba diet breeding tank setup everythign there is to know about them please add it to this post.
Also if you know anything about the T.Brichardi also thanks.

[Melleah]

Hi Me

We actually have a gorgeous colony of "bemba's". I cant comment on the breeding side of things as these are too juvenille, I am sure Steve can help you out there.

I can comment on the feeding though. We have only fed them spirulina flakes and pellets. They prefer the flakes to the pellet, as the pellet seems to get a bit left over and cloud the tank.

Also they 'definately' need a chasing area. What I mean by this is an area clear of any obstructions so they can show off and fight ect.

We have our tank set up with a load of limestone rock, built up at the back of the tank with plenty of space at the front.
We also have plants in our tropheus tank, which seems to be a rare thing, but to be honest they love it. I constantly see them grazing off the swords.

The rest. Well Steve is your man there and as for having your brichardi on his own, be careful. We have a brichardi "Kipilli" in on his own with our colony and he is slowly getting very reclusive and grumpy.

Ta

Mel

[me]

the Brichardi is not in with any other tropheus so hopefulyl he will be fine. Thanks for your input!

[BengaBoy]

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I have been doing alot of research on the tropheus species

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well, then, you should know by now that tropheus are a colony fish and dont do well on their own - but you knew I was going to say that right?

small colonies have been known to work but one is should have a colony of 15 or more. The 5x2x2 is a good size tank for Tropheus though - you can have a good size single species colony in that (say 30).

I think it is much better to feed tropheus a good quality veggie flake than pellets, even if you soak the pellets first, because they get too much in one gulp with the pellets and I have been told they can swell up in the gut.

here are a few sites to cruise, but they will probably tell you stuff you dont want to hear

JD Tropheus
Tropheus Basics

good luck.

Steve

[Melleah]

Steve,

Do you know anywhere where we can get a colony of Brichardi "Kipilli" as I am worried about Trev, he is not happy

Or better still are you thinking of breeding them as you can have him


Ta

Mel

[BengaBoy]

hi Mel

yes, they sort of get lonesome blues when by themselves, even another colony of tropheus (different species) doesnt seem to help much.

Yesterday I culled one of young Bulu Pts because he is a bit odd shaped - I threw him in the holding tank and he is just sulking.

there are not a lot of bichardi around I dont think. I dont think I can offer him a better home than you are already providing (he is in with your Bembas and Duboisi?).

I will ask around... how big is 'he' ?

Steve

[me]

Steve thats the same as my Tropheus Brichardi "Katonga" i thought he would like it best in the mixed tang.

is sera flora alright to feed them?

!

[BengaBoy]

veggie flake (eg Sera Flora) is pretty much the only thing to feed tropheus in my opinion, but your other 'tangs' might not like a pure veggie diet.

Quote:

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thats the same as my Tropheus Brichardi "Katonga" i thought...

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does that mean he is not looking too good?

Steve

[Melleah]

Hi Steve,

He is in with the Bembas and the Maswa but he just isnt himself. Sorry to say but when he was in with my community tank he was in his element, even if he was driving everyone else mad

We are even looking at ordering a small colony in for him to be with. But we are having no luck finding anywhere "local" to get them.

America is a bit far if you ask me to ship a fish.
I cant see the survival rate being that crash hot

Any suggestions if we were looking to import?

I would prefer to keep him and bring him in some friends as he is still the official tropheus that got us hooked

Mel

[calvus75]

Hi mate,

You might like to try Nigel (airfish) on the SCP his T's look fantastic! Not sure if he is shipping here though, but if you get together with some others and make it worth his while - you never know your luck.



p

[me]

By the Katonga Comment, i ment he is in by himself in the 5 x 2 x 2 and he really loves it!
he tags up with my lil fronty!
he And my rare speckled goby r both eatign fine and are very active!
teh brichardi is so colorful!