AndrewZ
New Member
I'm relatively new to cichlids, and I got a pair of Chromidotilapia guentheri a few weeks ago. I can't find any information on this species, though I've been doing some reading about cichlids. During the last week or so, they've changed behavior a bit, and I wonder if it's a precursor to spawning? They're staying close together in a nest, rarely leaving it, with the female normally resting on the ground and the male hovering over her, sometimes wagging his body at her. She has lost much of her interest in food, just picking at it a little and not sifting through the gravelmuch. She's become timid and won't confront the other fish like she used to. Her coloring is strong, her fins usually erect, and she keeps activating the dark bars on her body and face. She looks very healthy other than the fact she's usually resting, and sometimes swims around a little but then returns to her nest. I haven't seen her egg tube protrude.
Also, at first I assumed that the male broods the eggs, because he has a huge scarlet-colored chin, but I haven't found many references to males doing so. Does anyone know which sex normally broods the eggs for this species?
The water is good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, neutral ph, usually 78-82 F. The weather was hot for a couple of days, resulting in the aquarium reaching about 84, I wonder if that's a bit high for them? I'm feeding them frozen brine shrimp, flake food, spirulina tablets, spinach.
Thanks!
UPDATE: The female is eating properly now, and they just dug a huge nest hole in the substrate, so I think it's clear that they're just nesting!
Also, at first I assumed that the male broods the eggs, because he has a huge scarlet-colored chin, but I haven't found many references to males doing so. Does anyone know which sex normally broods the eggs for this species?
The water is good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, neutral ph, usually 78-82 F. The weather was hot for a couple of days, resulting in the aquarium reaching about 84, I wonder if that's a bit high for them? I'm feeding them frozen brine shrimp, flake food, spirulina tablets, spinach.
Thanks!
UPDATE: The female is eating properly now, and they just dug a huge nest hole in the substrate, so I think it's clear that they're just nesting!
/www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSum...theri+guentheri
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