Labeotropheus Trewavasae

[fry_lover]

Hi

I have x2 Labeotropheus Trewavasae in my Malawi set-up. Its 48"x20"x24", 81 US Gallons with lots of Ocean Rock and Lava Rock.

No new additions in ages, water params (not that i think its signtificant are all ok, i test frequently)

Anyway......

I was just after some advice, as one of them constantly chases the other one, i have never seen anything like it and i have kept a range of cichlids for a few years now, i am not new to fish keeping, and i know its not amazing that this is happening in a Malawi set-up!

When i mean "chase" i mean literally zooms after it like a missile, i have not seen one fish stick so closely at such high speed to another fish, chasing it around the tank, in and out of the rock work, until the passive (i.e. being chased) Labeotropheus Trewavasae disappears into hiding.

Whenever the passive Labeotropheus Trewavasae appears, it's the same story. Every now and then the passive Labeotropheus Trewavasae seems a bit less intimidated and stays put, this leads the dominant Labeotropheus Trewavasae simply doing all that shaking that Malawi seem to do, that kind of "showing off" thing.

You might wonder why the post?

Well i simply want some opinions as to whether i should just leave it as it is or re-home the passive one? There is not that much aggro in the rest of the tank, except an Aulococara who shouldnt be in there and is OTT with my Yellow Labs. I am going to re-home him.

One thing i find interesting is the passive Labeotropheus Trewavasae hasn't got a mark on it at all and never has, no damage what so ever.

So basically, i was wondering if its the best interest of either fish to remove one, or as no damage is being done and this has been going on for months, to leave it be?

However, my experience with non-malawi cichlids has sometimes been, when you split fish up, the dominant one will still find someone else to harass....

Both fish are about 2 inch to 2.5 inch

Here's a couple of pics of the dominant one, taken a couple of months ago. I am assumming its male? If i had to split them i would keep the dominant one, i think he/she is stunning

 

[Ferris]

One thing i find interesting is the passive Labeotropheus Trewavasae hasn't got a mark on it at all and never has, no damage what so ever.

For me that statement is the key - if there is no physical harm, there shouldn't be any major problems. Stress can be a factor but by the sounds of it - the sub-dominant fish isn't suffering unduly.

I would leave things as they are.

 

[fry_lover]

Hi Ferris

Thanks, i would like to keep the pair of them.

I forgot to add the sub-dominant fish does come out and feed okay.

Do you Ferris (or others reading) think my picture is a male?

Thanks

 

[Ferris]

Yes almost certainly male - based on the behaviour more than anything.

 

[dthoffsett]

You also might consider adding a couple more females as it will give him some more to chase. Most likely he is interesting in breeding and the female just doesn't feel like being caught yet.

 

[Matt_northants]

You also might consider adding a couple more females as it will give him some more to chase. Most likely he is interesting in breeding and the female just doesn't feel like being caught yet.

I agree I normally keep 1 male to 3 females to ease their load a little. In the wild if a female is in a males territory and he tries to mate if she isnt interested she can just swim off, this isnt an option in a home aquarium.

 

[fry_lover]

Thanks for the advice

I will have a god think about adding a few females

How easy is it to sex them?

cheers

 

[zaman]

it's easy to sex it differ from the color. and depends which species do you have?[post="0"]this may help.[/post]

 

[fry_lover]

it's easy to sex it differ from the color. and depends which species do you have?[post="0"]this may help.[/post]

Hi Zaman

The link doesnt work for me unfortunately

 

[zaman]

it's easy to sex it differ from the color. and depends which species do you have?[post="0"]this may help.[/post]

Hi Zaman

The link doesnt work for me unfortunately

try this then [URL="http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/results.php?genus=104"]http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/results.php?genus=104[/URL]

 

[fry_lover]

nice one got it,

got a few more pics of the "other" Labeotropheus Trewavasae

When i got in this evening the passive / sub-dominant one was out in the open which is rare, and the dominating one was tolerating it, just doing the odd bit of "shaking" lol

Here's some pics taken tonight

 

[fry_lover]

2 cm Fry, pics taken today, i'd seen it around for a while, first time i been able to get a shot at it

 

[dthoffsett]

He's a cute little guy, congrats.

 

[fry_lover]

thank you Dawn