Cyphotilapia Frontosa!

An African rift lake (Tanganyika) cichlid. I received ~10 babies from my job at a pet store about 7-8 years ago. A gentleman in his late 80's dropped off his harem saying they would outlive him and his kids wouldn't be able to take care of them properly.

I've always thought I had only males. Only 3 have made it, the largest male being 7-8" and the only female being ~5". So a few weeks ago, I looked at what I thought was the smallest male and 'his' jaw looked funky.

They occasionally lip-lock for territory and to flaunt their strength, so I assumed he was down for the count. Lo and behold, 'he' began tumbling eggs around in her mouth, and I saw pairs of eyes 2 weeks ago. Told myself by Labor Day that I'd "strip" her of the young (dunking her in water so she'd release them safely). One of the peacocks was stalking out her territory and I think may have gotten some.

They've gone from half an inch to an inch or more in the last week. Just did their first water change and they're taking it very well. They're beginning to feel comfortable in mid-water and are going to the surface more often now. They're pimping their own 10 gallon bare bottom tank.



Female looks pretty much exactly like this:


the most dominant male looks like:




Digital camera decided to die last night (great!). Snagging a new one today and will post pics of the young. They are downright beautiful and definitely an unexpected blessing. I didn't want to post them last week since I was afraid of something happening. They are incredibly hardy already.

After breeding everything from livebearers, tetras, angelfish and discus, I've got to say this is the most rewarding experience in my fishkeeping career.


So much for this...

Quote:

A mouthbrooder the Frontosa is a little more selective than most and the ratio of three to one is needed to form a proper pair.

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I my fishies.

S_2 said:

They bred again last night


I guess big papa can't get enough of that sweet 'tang'.

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Ah yes, fish jokes . I bet that went right over a lot of people's heads. I got it 

Oh yeah, lefty, you guys have other fish in Florida that cause much bigger problems. There was a population of Hoplias malabaricus, aka freshwater Wolf Fish, in a river near Tampa for a long time. Not sure if they're still there.

http://www.pantown.com/data/4658/board3/1-20040810002640.jpg

Those guys get about 3 feet long... They're beasts.