Haplochromis "obliquidens zebra" and sp.CH44

[TommyMagic]

Hi I am new to Cichlids and still investigating which fish to keep, I like the look of some Vics but my LSF only keeps two types usually:

Haplochromis "obliquidens zebra"
Haplochromis sp CH44

Can anyone tell me about these fish and their compatability with Malawi or Tangs? Any info about them will be much appreciated, thank you very much!

[SGypsyMermaid]

"obliquedens zebra" is astatilapia latifasciata, and should do well with malawi haps or peacocks.

hap. sp. 44 "redtail" aka "obliquedens" sometimes works with malawi haps and peacocks, but sometimes, they are too aggressive--depends on the individual fish, tank size, decor, etc. much as we'd like it to be, this is not an exact science, and sometimes, even with the most diligent preparation, it doesn't go according to plan and precedent.

the sp. 44's can also be kept with some mbuna which can tolerate a meatier diet, and which are not super aggressive...like acei, yellow labs(labidochromis caeruleus), and rusties(iodotropheus sprengarae)

[TommyMagic]

What about with Tangs?

[SGypsyMermaid]

imo, they can be kept with most rock-dwelling tangs. the open water tangs are probably too delicate for to have such rough tankmates.

[sroney]

I bought three SP44's last year some time, and one of them quickly established himself as boss of the tank, with bright colors. Within a month or two, the weakest of the three died and then the second one became the most picked on fish in the tank. Finally, early this year, the second one went, and now the remaining one not only has lost his bright colors, but now HE is the "fish in the corner". I haven't really seen him being picked on, but he has a wound on his back and keeps his fins down. I think the Placidochromis Electra got tired of being picked on, and now that they are much bigger than the Sp44, have fought back (though it could be the peacock or even the larger frontosa as well).

But it was the Electras and the Peacock that were the most impacted by the SP44's introduction, as they were the open water fish. (and the Electras and Fronts are both too big for TommyMagic's planned 40 gallon, any way)

[paracyprichromis]

My experience and research of "obliquedens zebra" aka astatilapia latifasciata, they are scale eaters. Like to nip other fish and draw blood. Keep an eye out for this.

Para

[SGypsyMermaid]

Originally posted by paracyprichromis
My experience and research of "obliquedens zebra" aka astatilapia latifasciata, they are scale eaters. Like to nip other fish and draw blood. Keep an eye out for this.

Para

wow, i've never seen or heard of this behavior...my colony certainly doesn't exhibit it. edit* what were you keeping them with?

[Matt V]

my sp. 44 didn't do so good with mbuna. they got out-eaten and they weren't real crazy about the diet i keep my mbuna on. i lost a couple and the remainders were getting skinny - not from agression, just from mbuna hyperactivity. i moved them to their own tank and started them on a diet more suited to their particular needs and they're doing brilliantly.

while i've had some success lake mixing, this experience soured me on it. the Vics remained ugly in the big mbuna tank and didn't do well. now they're my favorite fish to watch. or to have watch me. tank is right next to the couch by the TV and they just sorta stare at me as if to say "food? we can see it on the coffee table... get up, lazy foodshape!"

[fish speaker]

Originally posted by paracyprichromis
My experience and research of "obliquedens zebra" aka astatilapia latifasciata, they are scale eaters. Like to nip other fish and draw blood. Keep an eye out for this.

Para

Like SGM, I have not observed this with mine, but I've read several articles that mention scale eating, but then say something like "but this behaviour has not been observed in the aquarium...", so I guess it is something to be aware of.

My colony is doing VERY well (so far) with mbuna. I have toyed with the idea of setting up a separate tank for my vics to address the dietary differences, but they are doing so well that I'm not sure I need to be concerned yet. Seriously, my male astatotilapia latifasciata is the most colorful fish in the tank, and his females are in the running for largest fish in the tank. My P. nyererei are also doing nicely, having spawned twice since January. I guess I'll probably leave this as a project when I want to make room in my mbuna tank for another species (no, that would be now :D).

Dietary concerns are always a little bit confusing to me: I like to think I'm fairly sharp, but then I'll find profiles showing Cynotilapia afra as being a carnivore, and I really wonder. I read a little more closely, and I find that they mean that they feed primarily on plankton. Just like my vics, my C. afras are doing very well on an herbivorous diet. I'll let them get their animal protein from fry. :twisted: