Chromedome: Well, tonight I said I would talk about West African Cichlids. Since we don't have a week, I will have to do this in a couple of lectures, as this group is far more diverse than the labels usually attached to them.

Chromedome: There are more genealogical lines of Cichlids in Western Africa than in the Rift Lakes. Hemichromini, Chromidotilapiini, and Pelmatochromini are Tribes that are not found anywhere else. Tilapiini is also far more widely represented here than in East Africa.

Chromedome: Lamprologini and Haplochromini are represented here as well, but not in the numbers seen in the Great Lakes. However, the type species of genus Lamprologus is congoensis, which is a bottom dwelling riverine species of the Congo basin.

Chromedome: Lamprologus congoensis, courtesy of Ted's Fishroom: http://www.tedsfishroom.com/wp/wp-content/gallery/lamprologus-riverine/sm_edit_lamp_congoensis_sep15_08_008.jpg

Chromedome: Tonight I will concentrate on the Forest Stream types: Jewels, Kribs, and a few related genera. These fish are found mostly in the small, slow moving streams that feed the rivers and lakes of West Africa from Guinea to the Congo. This will still be a looong program.

Chromedome: Although these species may be referred to as riverine, that is an inaccurate description of their habitats. While the region is dominated by several river basins, most of these are relatively small rivers, and are fed by hundreds of streams that are smaller still.

Chromedome: The so-called Krib types live in slow, shallow streams and pools. The pH runs from 4.5 up to 6.5, with a few exceptions. The bottom is littered with leaves and dead wood, with few rocks. The plants are mostly terrestrial, along the banks.

Chromedome: They are normally pair bonding, at least while breeding. Caves are a necessity, and I like to use coconut shells for this purpose. However, clay pots, ugly as they are, will work, and I've even seen spawns in PVC pipe. They will also dig underneath wood or rocks.

Chromedome: Displaying female Pv. subocellatus Matadi in front of coconut:

Chromedome: Chromidotilapia and Benitochromis come from slightly deeper areas of these same waters. These are not rivers, and during the dry seasons they may even stop flowing and simply exist as a series of pools. Heavy currents are not favored by these types.

Chromedome: Jewels, on the other hand, live in every habitat in the region, and a couple of species are highly adaptable. Some are even found in brackish lagoons, and this tolerance for a variety of conditions may explain the extreme range of some species.

Chromedome: Not surprisingly, many of these species are highly adaptable because they are still spread over a range of habitats. So fish from soft, acid conditions in the wild will still breed successfully in moderately hard, slightly alkaline conditions, and vice versa.

Chromedome: Some of these have become common species in the hobby. However, there are also those with very limited ranges that require very specific conditions for breeding. These are quite rare in the hobby, but highly sought after by specialists.

DogWalker: Prepared notes - nice!

Chromedome: Only way to go. I do too many talks at clubs to not be prepared.

Chromedome: Back to our regularly scheduled program!

Chromedome: Maintaining the more common species is more a matter of water quality than water chemistry. Typically, decorating the tank with wood and smooth rocks is preferred. Many will even do well in planted aquaria, as their digging is relatively limited.

Chromedome: First, I would like to address the Hemichromis species. These are often labeled as highly aggressive fish, some accurately so. However, much of that aggression has to do with a lack of space; given adequate room, they can behave quite well with other fish.

Chromedome: Hemichromis guttatus, mistakenly called bimaculatus for decades, is known from backwater swamps and small streams, but also ranges into the edges of many brackish regions. This is probably the reason it is the most widespread of the “Red Jewels”.

Chromedome: That photo was in one of our forums.

Chromedome: It is also quite variable in appearance, and has been mistakenly identified as several other species. All the so-called H. lifalili in the hobby are actually a colorful strain of this species, while other populations have been mistakenly called paynei and letourneauxi.

Chromedome: There are some smaller Jewels that are less than 4 inches at max, such as cristatus, Sp. Bangui, and stellifer. These are sometimes called Forest Jewels, and are not at all aggressive. However, they do require a bit more care, and a slightly acid pH.

Chromedome: The predatory 5 Spot Jewel, H. fasciatus, is probably the most widespread Cichlid in Africa. It is also a major Bada$$, which has resulted in many species that mimic the spotted color pattern to frighten off other fish approaching their territories.

Chromedome: Unfortunately, this has resulted in several species that are mostly gray with big black spots down the side. Thysochromis ansorgii, Tilapia mariae, and Pelmatochromis nigrofasciatus are examples of mimics that use the reputation of H. fasciatus as a defense.

Chromedome: Related species: H. elongatus, the 5 Star General: http://www.cichlidforums.com/cichlidbase/index.php/profiles/Hemichromis-elongatus-142.html

Chromedome: All Hemichromis are open spawners. H. fasciatus clears an area of vegetation and debris around their chosen nest site, sometimes as much as two meters across. Red Jewels rarely do a lot of clearing, but still prefer a flat rock or wood to a flowerpot or cave.

Chromedome: I would be remiss if I did not mention Anomalochromis thomasi here. This dwarf is related to the Jewels, and the form from Guinea is most common these days. The more colorful Sierra Leone population was the first introduced, but it is now hard to find.

Chromedome: Anomalochromis thomasi

Chromedome: These little fish breed identically to the Red Jewels, and while not overly aggressive, they are extremely protective of their fry. Their small size and minimal digging makes them an interesting addition to planted community tanks. Plus, they eat all kinds of snails!

Chromedome: I had them in a long 30, and they wiped out a massive population of Malayan Livebearing snails.

Chromedome: Now we will move into the "Kribs".

Chromedome: For information on the genus Pelvicachromis, the best I could do is send you to tedsfishroom.com, or apistogramma.com, both sites run by Ted Judy. He has bred not only every species, but all the known variants of Pelvicachromis.

Chromedome: One of the key points he has made is that these fish are small mouthed foragers, and they like to dig into the substrate while searching for food. High protein foods are not really good for them, and the substrate should be sand or very fine gravel.

Chromedome: The simplest way to sex fish of this genus is that all females have rounded ventrals, while males have pointed ones. This is actually an identifying feature for the genus, and the name Pelvicachromis refers to this characteristic.

Chromedome: The genus is comprised of two groups. The humilis types are larger species, relatively rare in the hobby. All are found in Guinea and Sierra Leone. The other group includes the type species, Pelvicachromis pulcher, and they are distributed from Guinea to Gabon.

Chromedome: Pair of Pv. humilis Friya, courtesy Ted's Fishroom: http://www.tedsfishroom.com/wp/wp-content/gallery/pelvicachromis-humilis-friya/hum_fria_P_fry1_0_002.jpg

Chromedome: While humilis types are still rare, there are two recently described species of the group that are being imported, Pv. rubrolabiatus and Pv. signatus.

Chromedome: The common Krib, P. pulcher, is extremely adaptable, despite a preference in the wild for soft, acid waters. Most of this is from prolonged captive breeding, as I remember the greater difficulty of spawning them even as recently as the 1960s.

Chromedome: Pelvicachromis pulcher

Jeff F.: Very nice., I have 2

Chromedome: The most widespread species in the wild is Pv. taeniatus - at least for now. There are about 10 very distinct populations, and variation seems to fall into geographic groups. It is possible, with the splitter mentality of the times, that some will be re-assigned.

Chromedome: The P. taeniatus population from Moliwe is unique, in that it comes from water that ranges as high as 7.6 pH. When I bred them, I had good sex ratios even at 6.8-7.0. Other forms of taeniatus require 6.0-6.2 for relatively even sex ratios.

Chromedome: Male taeniatus Moliwe, courtesy Ted's Fishroom: http://www.tedsfishroom.com/wp/wp-content/gallery/pelvicachromis-taeniatus-moliwe/taen_moliwe_M_ew_terr_Jan4_07_001.jpg

Chromedome: It should be noted that the waters of Moliwe are also home to Benitochromis nigrofasciatus, which is one of the easier species to breed within that genus, as well. It used to be assigned to B. finleyi, but was described as its own species in 2001.

Chromedome: Benitochromis nigrodorsalis

Chromedome: Benitochromis and Chromidotilapia are strange fish. They lay a plaque of eggs like substrate spawners - the eggs are even adhesive - but then pick up the eggs and mouth brood them. Both sexes often participate in mouth brooding in these species.

Chromedome: Females of both genera are easily identified by the broad iridescent band in the dorsal fin:

Chromedome: My own experience is limited, as I bred Chromidotilapia guntheri many, many years ago. I've had B. nigrofasciatus, but was unsuccessful due to giving them inadequate space. I would recommend at least a 4 foot tank for these species.

DogWalker: in the process of converting to mouth brooding??

StructureGuy: There's nothing like watching bi-parental mouth brooders share brood care (Benitochromis nigrodorsalis)

Chromedome: That's one theory, DW.

Chromedome: SG, you and I need to talk!;)

Chromedome: When one gets down to the Congo, Nanochromis and the recently split off genus of Congochromis are found. The type species of Nanochromis was nudiceps. However, most of the nudiceps in the hobby have actually been N. parilus.

Chromedome: Despite the fact that the female breeding tube is almost constantly visible, this is a very tough fish to spawn. Not only do they require the standard soft acid water, they also require a fair amount of space for a relatively small fish. Otherwise, treat like Kribs.

StructureGuy: My nigrodorsalis didn't breed in a 3 ft tank but did in a 40 long.(4 ft)

Chromedome: Well, I put them in a 15 gallon tank "temporarily". They were small individuals, but they acted like they were big.

Chromedome: Result was one male.

Chromedome: Back to Nanochromis. Intra-specific aggression is also very high. I had a male that beat the daylights out of his smaller mate on a couple of occasions. However, when I pulled him out for a fish show and re-introduced him to the tank afterward, she killed him within 24 hours.

Chromedome: The smallest in the genus, Nanochromis transvestitus (the name proves that ichthyologists have a sense of humor) tends to not be as aggressive. However, it is still difficult to induce spawning.

Chromedome: Congochromis are generally much smaller and very colorful. The recently described C. sabinae seems to be adapting to the aquarium hobby, and could be moderately available within a few years. These all used to be lumped into dimidiatus.

Chromedome: There are also a couple of odd genera related to Pelvicachromis that have occasionally made their way into the hobby. Limbochromis robertsi has a very limited range in Ghana, and resembles the humilis group of Pelvicachromis.

Chromedome: Juvenile Limbochromis, courtesy of Ted's Fishroom: http://www.tedsfishroom.com/wp/wp-content/gallery/limbochromis/limbosubadult001.jpg

Chromedome: Parananochromis are mostly smaller than Pelvicachromis, ranging from Cameroon to Gabon. They are odd in that they live on the edges of larger streams and rivers. Most prefer much cooler water, around 22 C. (Low 70s in F.!) Very rare, and very wanted.

Chromedome: Thysochromis ansorgii is found from Ivory Coast to Gabon. It is not exactly a dwarf, reaching 5 inches, but it tends to spawn in hidden areas. Quite peaceful for a Cichlid of this size, it is still an excellent parent. If it had color, it would be a common species.

StructureGuy: Cool pic. Is that yours, Chromedome?

Chromedome: Actually, I spawned Thysochromis, but that photo was shot at a friend's house.

Chromedome: Pelmatochromis nigrofasciatus is one of the few species left in that genus after Thys van den Audenaerde started the revision in 1968. It is very similar in appearance to Thysochromis, but gets a bit larger. Pair guarding eggs:

Chromedome: This is an open spawner, with over 500 eggs in a spawn. Also a relatively peaceful fish in community tanks, even large specimens don't bother much smaller tetras and barbs. I think it is slightly more colorful than Thysochromis, but not much.

Chromedome: Well, if anyone is still awake, you can ask questions now!

Jcushing: well done chrome...

Larry: I'm awake!!!lol

Jcushing: so going back to Hemichromis, the larger more aggressive species whats required to have a successful tank

Jeff F.: After all the pictures I know my Kribs are the bomb! Thanks Chrome!!

Chromedome: Space, objects that block line of sight. Lamboj says all three of the 5 spot species get 25 cm, but I think fasciatus can get bigger than that.

crazyfishlady: Did you happen to discuss simballa at all? (The only West African I have any experience with.)

Jcushing: can other fish reside with them, i understand they are top of the food chain predators...

Chromedome: No, didn't have time to mention all of them. The Simballa, also known as Guinea II, is one of the largest "Red Jewel" types, though it doesn't get red.

Chromedome: I've had a couple, but they are almost as aggressive as the 5 spots.

crazyfishlady: Just curious. I think they have a pretty cool copper color.

Chromedome: 5 spot types generally are piscivores.

crazyfishlady: I had a group that I sold to Ted Judy a couple of years ago.

Chromedome: That's why their color pattern gets copied by "Clark Kent" species like the Thysochromis.

Chromedome: CFL, I think Ted passed those to Jeff Michels, who had them finally spawn.

Chromedome: They were actually a cave spawner, not normal for any Hemichromis.

crazyfishlady: I sometime have regrets about not waiting to see what kind of potential they had. What is the max size for them?

crazyfishlady: When I sold them, they were about 3"

Chromedome: I had one reach 5.5 inches. I'm told they will get 6.

Jeff F.: My kribs are currently in with small tangs and small tropheus. The Kribs are actually the aggressors!(LOL)

DogWalker: Are Steatocranus casuarius (buffaloheads) considered 'West Africans'?

crazyfishlady: I got the impression from Ted that they would be super aggressive, and difficult to get a pair because of that.

Chromedome: Yes, but they fall into another category. Rheophilics and Tilapiines.

Chromedome: That was to DW.

Chromedome: There are also rheophilic fish from the Chromidotilapiini, the genus Teleogramma.

StructureGuy: It seems like a lot of people are calling their common jewels H. cristatus or H. lafalili when they really aren't. I've been hesitant to buy any since I'm not sure they are what people are claiming. Have you noticed this or am I paranoid?

Chromedome: Yes, I have noticed it, and yes, you are paranoid. (Joking)

Chromedome: But not about that.

Jcushing: well i have to go do a water change, great presentation chrome...... ill bbl...

crazyfishlady: For anyone who wants to know what I'm going on about: Here's a pic of one of the 'simballa' or 'Guinea 2' from right before I sold them.

 Glaive: Great color cfl!

Chromedome: Last year at the OCA, Lamboj was telling a few of us that the real lifalili is actually a fish known as Sp. Moanda.

Chromedome: But he still needs to write a formal paper explaining this.

StructureGuy: I loved Lomboj talk, but it means that I missed out on the Neochromis omnicaeruleus silent auction and I'm still kicking myself about that.

Glaive: Chromedome, if one was to want to attempt a community tank of West Africans would you have a suggestion for perhaps a 75 gallon tank?

Chromedome: Well, assuming that you want to go with a Forest Stream setup, the sand or very fine gravel is a necessity.

Chromedome: There are a few African Tetras and Barbs that could be used as dithers, or to fill out the upper parts of the tank.

Chromedome: In a 75, I would certainly want some moderately large fish like the Benitochromis.

Glaive: Could one combine multiple species or is that asking for trouble?

Chromedome: But you could also have some Red Jewels at the bottom, and if you use a small species, perhaps a pair of taeniatus.

Chromedome: I had a long 30 with Pv. signatus male, and three Anomalochromis thomasi. the thomasi had 2/3 of the tank.

Jeff F.: Thanks Chrome....And ALL who were here tonight. Snow is falling and I have another deer to get in the morning..........See Ya!

Chromedome: Used the Yellow Fin Congos, Hemigrammopetersius caudalis, for the upper parts.

tchill93x: Good night Jeff!

Chromedome: Had Water sprite at the surface. That's something else important: These fish do not like bright lights, as they live under forest canopy.

StructureGuy: See ya next week.

Chromedome: Water Sprite or other floating plants also simulate the terrestrial plants that hang in the water at the edge.

Glaive: Night Jeff

Glaive: I really liked the colors I saw tonight, much wider range of hues similarly to Victorians. Couple that with them being harder to find for me and they interest me greatly

Chromedome: These days a number of them are available through specialty dealers. Jeff Michels in Milwaukee runs Aquaticclarity, and not only brings in fish, but breeds a number as well.

Chromedome: Actually went a lot faster than I expected!

DogWalker: tribute that in part to your preparatory work. Well done. I also was wondering where one gets hold of such eclectic stock selections.

Chromedome: If you go to the Apistogramma.com forum, there is a section for dealers in Dwarf Cichlids. Ted, Jeff, and several others specialize in the African species.

Chromedome: I bought several last year at the OCA. Unfortunately, something was wrong in my water, and I lost all but the Hemichromis sp. Moanda.

Chromedome: Even the rare Jewels are tough!

Chromedome: tough=hard to kill

DogWalker: Gotta go as well. Thanks Chrome!

Chromedome: Glad you liked it, DW!

crazyfishlady: Time for me to get one last water change before the end of the weekend. Thanks again for presenting!

Chromedome: Somewhere down the road I'll put together part 2 of the Westies.