Westies

[Robdog]

It's probably a little late to be starting a new thread but I'm just wondering how many people out there have any of the West African Dwarves in their collections.
Things like the N. Brichardi, Neolamprologus Meleagris, Nanochromis nudiceps etc and even some of the rarer pelvicachromis.

Have you had any success keeping/breeding these guys, what size tanks, and what do you use for decor?

[Robdog]

Well now that this place isn't closing down, you can all jump in with your west african and Lake Tang dwarf stories. I know the impending closure was putting you all off. Don't all jump in at once!

[Rod]

I love P. taeniatus varieties.....but I just can't keep them alive...let alone breed them.

They all seem to end up with a bacterial infection....and die of dropsy....no other tank mates are effected.

I've tried tap water....50% rainwater...heavily planted tanks....careful feeding to ensure prime water conditions. weekly 20% water changes....but they die....I'd hate to think how many pair I've bought....amd from a number of different shops(probably same wholesaler though)

Is it me or have others had this problem....Love to get some locally bred fish rather than from the current source.

[TW]

I have 2 male P. taeniatus Nigeria Red - are they from the area your asking about? Not had them long enough to say much about them, other than I think they're pretty. I've had one for a week & the other for one day. The plan was to house them together, but that lasted about 1 minute or so before I rescued the newcommer & added him to the community tank. He immediately coloured up & seems to be settling in well.

What are you planning on getting?

[Robdog]

Yeah thats what I'm after. I think a lot of people have kept a kribensis at one time in their aquarium lifetimes and I think there are a lot of other beautiful "little" fish that come from the same areas.
I realise that this is predominately a South American forum but these guys are really attractive African fish probably without the aggressive reputation of other bigger african cichlids

[Robdog]

http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/img/Neolamprologus_hecqui_1.jpg
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/img/Lamprologus_ocellatus_1.jpg
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/img/Neolamprologus_similis_1.jpg
Just some examples

[Robdog]

Couldn't resist this one
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/img/Neolamprologus_caudopunctatus_1.jpg

[samir]

cant see the pics Rodbog :P :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Noddy65]

Im thinking of getting some Nanochromis transvestitus..anyone had any experiences with this fish?

Mike

[AdamR]

Ive had some different types of Pelvicachromis. Beautiful fish, but touchy. Ive had Nannachromis transvestitus again touchy. Ive had Neolamprologus multifasciatus, cool little fish, but definately not normally considered a West African.

Id definately consider going Westies again if i had some more tanks.

Adam

[Robdog]

Yeah probably a bad choice of thread naming on my behalf. Should have been more along the lines of African Dwarves

Sorry Samir but the "cant see the pics Rodbog " story just doesn't cut it with me. I can see them just fine. Maybe your computer has been tampered with by Pakistani's

[*Chris*]

nope not just samir
i cant see them either dude

[Robdog]

Dam Pakistani's!

[TW]

Hi, I can't see the pictures either.
really attractive African fish probably without the aggressive reputation of other bigger african cichlidsThat's probably true, the Nigeria Red is perfectly peaceful in my community tank - but when I tried to add him in the same tank as another male of the same species, the original resident wasn't standing it for a minute, even though another forum told me these fish were peaceful to fish of the same species. The original male puffed up his cheeks to twice normal size, opened his mouth as wide as he could & then harassed the new fish, who I rescued within minutes.

Now that my male bita is no more, these 2 males are my prettiest fish.

One day, I wouldn't mind getting P.T.Dehane one day, although I've never seen one in real life (only internet pics).

Hope you can fix the link to the pics.

[Robdog]

Hope you can fix the link to the pics.

Well I would if I could find them. Someone's pinched them.
I've changed computers and I couldn't see them either. Please forgive me Pakistani link tamperers.

[Th0mas]

nope not just samir
i cant see them either dude

Me either Rob.

[Robdog]

One more time for the dummies!

[Robdog]

couple more

[Robdog]

I reckon the caudopunctatus are awesome. And these guys don't neccessarily need big tanks either so good for the space limited amongst us.

[Dan]

Here are a few pics of my Neo. Multifasciatus

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/Neolamprologus%20multifasciatus/IMG_4251.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/Neolamprologus%20multifasciatus/IMG_4250.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/Neolamprologus%20multifasciatus/IMG_4248.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/Neolamprologus%20multifasciatus/IMG_4236.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/Neolamprologus%20multifasciatus/IMG_4238.jpg

[Robdog]

I take it from that you have them breeding in those shells?? How many did you start with? M/F ratios?

[Dan]

Hey,

Yep they breed in the shells. I started with 2 females and 1 male.
But the babies are only from 1 female, not sure why but the other female just seems to be part of the colony, but the male never bred with her although she does display to him every now and then.

The thing i love about these is the way the young help look after younger generations and they all co-exist as 1 happy family :)

Thanks
Dan

[Robdog]

I think that's what is attracting me. Some apistos are great parents and they are great to watch them tend to thier young but I'd love to see that kind of colony broodcare

[Robdog]

Im thinking of getting some Nanochromis transvestitus..anyone had any experiences with this fish?

Mike

Any luck sourcing these guys Mike??? They are a beautiful fish

[Noddy65]

Yeh mate
Got 2 really nice pairs...found out that 2' tanks are really way too small so im tring to locate 2 more 4' tanks to pop them in...I havent told the wife about it yet...shes away at the moment so I might juts get them and tell her Ive always had them :D

Mike

[Robdog]

"No darling they're not new tanks, these are the BIG 2ft tanks. You must be thinking of the small 2ft tanks you silly duffer!"

That'll work a charm mate.
Let us know how they go when you get them all settled in

[Noddy65]

Hmmm...that just might work
Mike :D