Dwarf Petrcolas

[jollysue]

I posted this question in the Africans forum a day ago: no answer.

My dwarf petrcolas are about 1-1/4" now (without the tail.) They are about 9 or 10 months. They are doing fine in the 10 usg, but I am wondering if they are big enough to join the fronties. Or will they always be too small?

 

[CFC]

Having never kept either species this is pure speculation but i would say there shouldnt be a problem as long as there are pleanty of places for the synos to hide, especially over night when the frontosa's predatory habbits are most likely to be shown.

 

[jollysue]

Hi CFC.

Thanks for answering me. That's pretty much what wuv said too. I have some large shells that they live in that would go with them. I suppose I won't see much of them once I move them. They spend most of their time now congregating on the heater.

I thought I'd check in with the dealer I got them from too--although he was very protective of them.

In the African forum it was suggested that one could keep BN plecs in an African cichlid tank. I wondered if they could be happy with the high ph and no driftwood. What do you think?

How are you doing?

 

[CFC]

I wouldnt recomend keeping BN's with african cichlids, its not the water chemistry that worries me but the nature of the tankmates.

 

[jollysue]

Thanks again.

I was a little skeptical. They said they were doing it ok. Still, seems a little off.

 

[Cheffi]

I wouldnt recomend keeping BN's with african cichlids, its not the water chemistry that worries me but the nature of the tankmates.

Strangely enough Bn's are the first ones that are recommended when you ask about a plec for Malawi tanks.

 

[jollysue]

Actually, mine is a Tanganyika tank. Who recommends them? I'm not disagreeing, cause I don't know. The petrocolas are small but they are from Tanganyika. The BN aren't, and I would naturally lean to a New World dwarf Cichlid tank for them. I was surprised that they were recommended. I wouldn't trust them with an oscar even. I wouldn't trust anything with an oscar.

It has given me something to think about cause I like BN. Mine died in the great culimnaris (sorry for the spelling) plague, and I no longer have room in my community tank. It got me thinking about options. I am setting up a Badis badis tank. I might try them there.

Thanks for stopping in. Maybe CFC will offer more--or someone else

I don't really need algae eaters anymore to keep the algae down. I just like BN.

 

[Cheffi]

Actually, mine is a Tanganyika tank. Who recommends them? I'm not disagreeing, cause I don't know. The petrocolas are small but they are from Tanganyika. The BN aren't, and I would naturally lean to a New World dwarf Cichlid tank for them. I was surprised that they were recommended. I wouldn't trust them with an oscar even. I wouldn't trust anything with an oscar.

It has given me something to think about cause I like BN. Mine died in the great culimnaris (sorry for the spelling) plague, and I no longer have room in my community tank. It got me thinking about options. I am setting up a Badis badis tank. I might try them there.

Thanks for stopping in. Maybe CFC will offer more--or someone else

I don't really need algae eaters anymore to keep the algae down. I just like BN.

I said that Bn's are recommended for a Malawi tank not Tanganykan. I have Petricola, 8 of them in my Malawi tank and the fish don't take the slightest bit of interest in them. The first ones I put in were tiny.

 

[jollysue]

I understand. I asked CFC about the BN, because I was checking the Afican section to find info on the petrocolas and fronties. I ran into your discussion on BN and algae. I popped in for a bit to check it out. I'm sorry I didn't notice that it specified Malawi. But in this thread, of course, I am specifically checking on stock for my Moba and Bismark frontosa tanks.

I am of course trying to get into the African froum to share info and experience on my frontie tanks, who are Tanganyikan. Sorry if there was any confusion.

 

[Cheffi]

I understand. I asked CFC about the BN, because I was checking the Afican section to find info on the petrocolas and fronties. I ran into your discussion on BN and algae. I popped in for a bit to check it out. I'm sorry I didn't notice that it specified Malawi. But in this thread, of course, I am specifically checking on stock for my Moba and Bismark frontosa tanks.

I am of course trying to get into the African froum to share info and experience on my frontie tanks, who are Tanganyikan. Sorry if there was any confusion.

Post 3 'you' ask about the Bn. Post 4 CFC says he wouldn't keep Bn with Africans. I posted a reply to CFC's saying they are the first ones recommended for Malawi, hence the reply.

 

[jollysue]

You win

 

[Cheffi]

You win

Cheers

 

[Druchii]

You win

Cheers

Cheffi - you malawis are mbunas - so will not try and attempt to attack or eat the petricolas - regardless of size..


Frontosa's are obviously meat eaters but i always thought that they went after small fish that casrt a silhoutte on the tank (ie swimming near the surface)

Petricolas swim on the bottom , so should be ok, but do not quote me on that.

If you want bigger, go for multi'ps

Petricolas are NOTORIOUSLY slow growers, will take you over a year to get to 2-3" mark

HTH

 

[jollysue]

Thanks Druchii

Actually the dwarfs and the other 2 synos in the Bismark tank do swim around mid level. But it is a moseying/grazing kind of swim a bit like otos. I am still debating whether to try at least one dwarf in maybe the Bismark tank. The 2 Bismarks are still smaller--between 2.5 and 3.5" But I am pretty sure I will get anothe group of Synos for the Mobas. I am looking at Syno multis.

 

[Cheffi]

You win

Cheers

Cheffi - you malawis are mbunas - so will not try and attempt to attack or eat the petricolas - regardless of size..

Yes I know....what are you trying to say?