Xenotilapia flavipinnis

[Overawed]

Uh oh. Overawed has his Lake Tanganyikan book out again!

I am intrigued by this species. As some of you know, I am planning for a Tang tank. I am definitley going to try to keep a Calvus Ink Fin or Orange Head.

I was wondering if anyone is keeping or have kept flavipinnis or ochrogenys. I have read that they are mild mannered.

[cathyhill]

Yes, I currently have 4 X. flavipinnis in my community tank. I have had them over a year and they are very interesting. And yes, they are very mild mannered. Only have the occasional torn top fin as they like to spar with each other every now and then but other than that they are a neat sand sifter. I would like to eventually get a few more but only if I get a bigger tank so they can spread out a little more.

[cathyhill]

I almost forgot...if you get the Xeno's, you have to maintain the water quality. I started with 6 and lost 2 in the first four months of having them. I skipped a weekly water change a couple of times. They are the only fish I have ever lost. Now, I stay on top of water changes and had had no other problems.

[Overawed]

Cool! Thanks for the info Cathy! Do you think they would be ok with Calvus? I want N.lelupi, but I have heard that they can be terrors. I want a nice calm Tang tank.

[Furcifer]

If you want "nice calm tank" you shouldn't keep lamprogus and neolamprologus species in thant tank...

Try C.Leptosoma and X.Flavipinnis

[cathyhill]

Overawed
I do currently keep mine with a couple of Calvus but I also have not seen any fry. Don't know if that is because the Calvus are eating the fry or that my Xeno's are all the same sex. If you are planning on breeding them, then I would second what Furcifer said about keeping the X. flavipinnis with C leptosoma. I know where you can get some CHEAP leptosoma fry. LOL

[Overawed]

I do not plan to breed them per say, but if it happens then it happens and I would try to do my best to save all the little fry I could.

Those C leptosoma are beautiful!! You say they are getting bluish now? Thats great! I would love to keep some!

[cathyhill]

Yes Overawed,

I have 5 in my main tank and 2 are starting to color a little. They are about 1 1/2 to 2 inches. I also have 6 smaller ones that are about 1 inch and some babies due in about 3 or 4 days. I know that the mother has 3 because I made a mistake moving her to a smaller tank about a week ago and lifted her head above the water and she spit 3 out but they are all doing really well and the egg sacks have almost disappeared. Let me know if you want some.

Cathy

[Overawed]

Cool! I am getting ready to purchase a 75g to make a Tang tank with. I have to get rid of several small tanks and a few fish first. From what I have seen of them, they are truly beautiful cichlids.

[Overawed]

Looks like the tang tank is not going to be. Not anytime soon at least :(

[SGypsyMermaid]

sorry, OA.

[EcoMarine]

I agree with Caner, just keep in mind though that even Calvus can get cranky,especally when trying to breed. I have nver had a problem with agession in young leleupi but they do turn into picks :) Look into Ophthalmatilapia Ventalis and ... Oh how bout some synodontis multipunctatus