Unplanned pregnancy

[gwand]

I posted in another thread that I was temporarily housing two Julidochromis transcriptus juveniles, (masked Julies) for a friend who assured me they were not a pair. Well the two fish are a pair and spawning like rabbits breed. I have juveniles from three separate spawns over a three month period. It is odd that I’m getting this relentless spawn since the tank water GH is only 200 ppm. It took me 5 hours but I netted 15 juveniles yesterday and rehomed them. The masked Julie make their home in rock crevices so it’s a bear to net them. I had to remove all my rocks. But I still have about 5-8 juveniles left in the tank. I will say that I fell in love with this species. I like their looks and their gentle behavior. The pair protect their offspring but never injure or harass the other fish. I rehomed the male parent so I will not have spawning again until the juveniles grow up. But I will have to create a less labor intensive way to net these fish for future rehoming. Oh did I mention that the friend who asked me to temporarily house the pair when he was away for three months now refuses to take back his fish.

 

[GaryE]

I guess they're your fish now.
I really liked that species many years ago when I had harder water for them. That said, my tanks back then were under 180ppm, and at a pH of 7.4. It didn't bother any of my Tanganyikans, who bred well and had fry that grew up healthily and quickly.

It would be good for the hobby if Lake Tanganyika fish become popular again. Their behaviour is so interesting, and they are oddly beautiful. Keeping them makes you raise your game a little, and that's always positive.

Fish sitting. I am batting about .500 on the owners wanting them back. I don't like it when I offer to care for a fish I dislike and don't want, then get it dumped on me. I've sold a few of those in club auctions.

 

[gwand]

Because the masked Julie from lake Tanganyika Is doing so well in my tank I purchased two insular dwarf Altolamprologus compressiceps from the Wet Spot. They grow to about 2 inches in length. One lives in a coconut cave in the left hand side of the 60 gallon tank and the other lives in a coconut cave in the right side of the tank. Unbelievable cute fish. Like my Julies they are very peaceful. There is harmony in the tank.

 

[Colin_T]

Make sure you get the adult female out so you don't accidentally pr the dad with one of his kids later on.

In the wild a lot of Julidochromis have colonies consisting of family members. The adult pr produce young that move out and expand the territory and the entire family defends the area.

They are generally peaceful fish and do well in aquariums. Keep breeding them and see if any pet shops will take them. And see if you can find out which location in Lake Tanganyika they came from. A lot of fish found in the lake have slightly different colour forms and many can be identified by their location.