Cyp leptosoma "Utinta"

[cathyhill]

This is my favorite male in the tank.

[tom]

Hi cathy

Gorgeous! I know nothing about Cyprichromis (except what I've read): Do you keep these in small schools?

(I'm sort of on a species watch for my next Tanganyikan tank; I imagine a school of these is impressive.)

[cathyhill]

Hi Tom,

I have had great success with these guys. I currently have 4 males and 4 females and about 50 fry of all sizes. 2 of the males have their areas right next to each other in the center of my 55 gallon. 1 male hides all the time under a rock so I will probably be getting rid of him soon. The other male is the son of the one posted above. I was curious to raise him up to see if he would be as stunning as his father. Here's a picture of him below.

I think that a 4' tank is just a little too small for these fish to show their natural behavior. I now have my eyes on a 6' tank (just waiting for my store credit to build up enough for it) and will be transfering the females and males. I also found someone who will be getting in a group of "Utinta" so I'm going to add about 6 more to the colony.

The females are always holding and I move them to the fry tank when they have been holding for 21 - 24 days. Just netting them usually starts them spitting fry in the net. I have to move them because my Comps and Calvus like to snack on them.

You should probably get a group of 10 - 12 as they do better in larger numbers.

Cathy

[tom]

Thanks, Cathy. Both males pictured are indeed stunning.

I've been looking peripherally for a schooling cichlid, and this species looks like a strong candidate. Your advice on the number of fish and tank size is well taken.

Thanks again.

[finz]

Again, great pics Cathy. I can't wait til mine start showing some color.

[aharris]

Hey, Tom, I have Untintas as well. I have 8 in a 6' tank with three males and five females. Two of my males have staked out one third of the tank each in which to display and the last kind of hides with the females on the far left side of the tank. He doesn't even try to display. It's interesting because when I re-arrange the scant rockwork in the tank all the males duke it out again, and the hierarchy always changes. My males also tend to dive-bomb the other tank inhabitants when they're really working hard to impress a lady.

I also have the blue-tailed variant of the Utinta. Cathy looks like she has the yellow-tailed kind. I'm curious Cathy, are all of yours yellow tails?

[cathyhill]

aharris,

I do have a blue tailed male in my group of "Utintas" All were sold as "Utinta" and came from the same person. I will post his picture and I'd like to see one of yours if you have one. I have had this discussion quite a few times on other boards...some say it is not a true "Utinta", while others say that I have two morphs of "Utinta"

Anyways, here is his picture. Let me know what you think!

[aharris]

Looks a lot like mine except mine also show yellow in the dorsal.

[cathyhill]

aharris,

Like this one?

[aharris]

Yeah, exactly like, all three of them.