N. Tretocephalus

[Chet]

I saw one of these guys at a LFS I visited recently. Very good looking fish. I was wondering what the forum could tell me about them? They look like a smaller, toned down version of the Front, but something tells me they are mean as hell...

[SGypsyMermaid]

from my reading, i gather that the trets are not meaner than average, but another fish that looks very much like it--neolamprolgus sexfasciatus is a real mean s.o.b.

[mikeT]

They are not mean. They are awesome fish. I had 1 about 12 yrs ago and had to give it to my friend when I moved. He put it in his tank with a large red devil which was a mean and tough SOB! The tret took up home in a small rock cave. The red devil moved in and they locked up and fought for a while. The tret held his ground and the red devil let him keep the home and just ruled the rest of the tank. If you are thinking about buying a tret I say go for it!

[Chet]

That's what is was SGM, the LFS had a sexfasciatus. It was beautiful, about 4-5" I guess, but I say it looked mean because it was right in the middle of the tank, with lots of open space around it, while the other inhabitants kept well to the sides of the tank. It was obviously dominant in it's tank. They are both very nice looking fish. Any more info, like max size, tank size, tankmates, etc?

[SGypsyMermaid]

http://www.cichlidae.com/gallery/Neolamprologus/sexfasciatus.html

[Chet]

Thanks for the link SGM, but it doesn't give any real info. In fact, I've been unable to find out anything about tetrocephalus or sexfasciatus. I would really appreciate some more input. I just need the basics, like max size, recommended tank size, whether they prefer to be kept in groups, what kind of habitat they require, and what fish they are compatible with. Thanks again for all your help! :D

[SGypsyMermaid]

both fish hang out over rocks and rubble.

max size: both about six inches

both are snail-eaters in the wild

sexfasciatus: very aggressive towards conspecifics; form pairs, compatible with julies,other neolamprologines, telmatachromis, spathodus; substrate spawner, cave brooder;suggest starting with 1 male and 3 females to establish a breeding pair 30 gal tank should be fine.

tretocephalus: form pairs; start with a group of juvies to obtain pair; substrate spawner; very aggressive in tanks under 100 gal.

[SGypsyMermaid]

and here's that compatibility chart, again:

http://www.cichlidrecipe.com/cichlidchart/flashchartd.html

[SGypsyMermaid]

Thanks for the link SGM, but it doesn't give any real info.

you're right, it doesn't. :oops: i must have made a mistake when i copied the link cuz that's not the page that i wanted to send you to.

http://f.about.com/z/js/spr04.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/sys/popup_source.shtml?search_string=tropical+fish

http://www.thatfishshop.com/findex/fish/neolamprologus_sexfasciatus.htm

if you can't find anything on your searches under 'neolamprologus sexfasciatus", then try 'lamprologus sexfasciatus'

[Cichlid Jeans]

I know the discussion has moved on to N. sexfaciatus, but I wanted to contribute some experience with the 5 bar, because YOU REALLY SHOULD GET SOME.

I think part of the immense popularity of the Tret (aka "Baby Fronts") is their personality: they like games and roughhousing generally, and flare their gills at anything that looks harassable. (But BTW, my N. leleupi faces them down!) In addition, nothing looks better with the yellow morph of L. caeruleus.

Trets are pair breeders, and very territorial during breeding. They are not aggressive the rest of the time, except towards conspecifics. I avoid mixing them with other vertical stripeys, and a single pair per tank is probably best. They dart at things, so they don't mix well with easily disturbed species. They swim throughout the whole tank vertically.

Although I've read that Trets get to 6 inches in the aquarium, they more typically grow to 4 inches (which is why I keep them: I have them in a 45).

Here's a great little article on breeding Trets:
http://www.bostonaquariumsociety.org/html/daphnian/jim0999.htm
For some unknown reason, frequent re-readings of this article has not yet caused the blessed event to happen.

:roll:

[SGypsyMermaid]

excellent article, cichlid jeans! :D