Started down the Tropheus hole

[fishguy1978]

Tropheus Bemba 220g

 

[fishguy1978]

So, my new tropheus range from 1in to 3in. If I wait for the smallest to get 1.5in then I will have nearly sexually mature juveniles which will be more difficult to integrate with the old colony.
Currently, the 220g has no rocks. It has been recommended by members on MFK that I leave it that way when I combine the two groups.
I am leaning toward adding several large solitary rocks and then some small piles of rocks. I am also thinking that if I move the mature colony after lights out it might be less stressful.

 

[sir_keith]

I agree with you on both counts. Just a few rocks, and perhaps some lengths of PVC pipe amongst them to offer some escape routes for any fishes that are being chased/harassed, but not enough for them to fight over. I'd add the other fishes in the evening, then lights out for a full day. After a day with no food, you can feed them, as feeding helps define the pecking order. The fishes you got from me know about lettuce leaves; I'd try that soon as well. With this many fishes, any one fish is unlikely to be targeted, but be vigilant. Things should settle down after that.

 

[fishguy1978]

Tonight I will add the adults who are in a temporary holding cell. I know the sump is dark but you can just see a tropheus face.
I added the two juveniles and the most damaged member to the tank directly.
The largest of the new crew wasn’t pleased so he too is in solitary

 

[fishguy1978]

Small water change and added the adults while refilling the tank. All the lights are off in the fish room.

 

[fishguy1978]

Survived 24hrs

 

[fishguy1978]

Combined the Groups

 

[fishguy1978]

There are two dominant males and both have been spawning with females. I am unsure how many females I have. It has been. Interesting to watch the males try to steal the females from each other.

 

[sir_keith]

Awesome! Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On!

 

[fishguy1978]

One female carrying for sure. Won't open her mouth to feed.

 

[sir_keith]

One female carrying for sure. Won't open her mouth to feed.

It's interesting- females of some Tropheus populations will not take food at all whilst brooding; some will take food for the developing embryos, but will not ingest any of the food themselves; and some will take food for both the embryos and themselves during the incubation period. I don't think enough work has been done to discern whether there is any pattern amongst different species and/or populations, and I'd bet that it doesn't follow such simple guidelines. Rather, I suspect it has been selected locally in response to environmental pressures on the brooding female pre-release and on the fry post-release. In any event, I have the impression that Bemba may ingest food for the developing fry once their yolk sacs have been absorbed. You might see this happening if you watch carefully; a brooding female eats subtly, if she eats at all.

 

[fishguy1978]

It's interesting- females of some Tropheus populations will not take food at all whilst brooding; some will take food for the developing embryos, but will not ingest any of the food themselves; and some will take food for both the embryos and themselves during the incubation period. I don't think enough work has been done to discern whether there is any pattern amongst different species and/or populations, and I'd bet that it doesn't follow such simple guidelines. Rather, I suspect it has been selected locally in response to environmental pressures on the brooding female pre-release and on the fry post-release. In any event, I have the impression that Bemba may ingest food for the developing fry once their yolk sacs have been absorbed. You might see this happening if you watch carefully; a brooding female eats subtly, if she eats at all.

Part of her not feeding was probably due to I fed 4mm algea max pellets too. I did see her try to pick up food from the bottom after the mass chaos of initial feeding. I will feed flake today and see what she does.