Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => Old World => Topic started by: watkinsrudy on March 09, 2016, 01:09:07 PM

Title: Frontosa behavior
Post by: watkinsrudy on March 09, 2016, 01:09:07 PM
Hello all,
I have 8 frontosa's in a 100 long (6 ft) with a few lelupi, juli's and petricola.  The largest is about 6-7" and the rest are about 3-5".
They're all healthy and active, but they don't seem to eat too often, and are pretty skiddish.  I have a decent amount of cover, but am wondering if that is a key factor, or if anyone has any other thoughts.  They get startled pretty easily while the other fish are totally fine.

I may be interested in moving them at some point too as they'll soon outgrow the tank.

Any comments greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Title: Re: Frontosa behavior
Post by: joe niemiec on March 09, 2016, 03:27:30 PM
i have 12 frontosas was wondering what you are feeding them an when,  i feed mine sinking pellets  an frozen for a treat also the lighten, I use  actinic blue light, an feed them at 7:00 at night when not to many people around to disturbed them
Title: Re: Frontosa behavior
Post by: Regalblue on March 09, 2016, 03:41:38 PM
Water too warm?    Fronts are a deepwater species & warm temps can throw them off.
Title: Re: Frontosa behavior
Post by: Steve on March 09, 2016, 04:39:08 PM
My fronts use to be skittish but they have calmed down a lot in the 3 months since I got them. They will still get startled by any real fast movement around the tank though, that's just normal front behavior. How long have you had them? The first month I owned mine I was worried because they did not eat much at all, but now they eat easily anytime I feed them. Too them a while to get settled though.
Title: Re: Frontosa behavior
Post by: mibwb on March 10, 2016, 11:40:05 PM
My fronts use to be skittish but they have calmed down a lot in the 3 months since I got them. They still get startled.

Steve, it'll just take time for them to get use to seeing your face in the light.  Try a dimmer, that should help. :) lol
Title: Re: Frontosa behavior
Post by: Bremmon on March 11, 2016, 09:02:06 PM
My WC Frontosa colony never  out grew the skittishness.. I took all the other tank mates out and that helped some, but even after several years anytime someone walked past the tank the would freak out and crash into stuff. Seemed like at night they would also just randomly dart about and spazz... I kept my tank at 76 degrees and I fed them between 8-10pm.
Title: Re: Frontosa behavior
Post by: walkinghorse on March 11, 2016, 09:13:56 PM
  Mine will hide if I turn the light on and act like it will kill them.  As long as it's off they are out and about all day.
Title: Re: Frontosa behavior
Post by: joe niemiec on March 11, 2016, 09:59:43 PM
yes mine are the same way but when i switch to the blue light  they seem more  relaxed an can leave the light on keep my temp at 76 to, the problem i have is i have to many males ,also have 4 large clown loaches, 2 pleco's never see the loaches only at night or early in the morning.     I had same problem with food  been threw several types  now they eat like horses ,new life spectrum thera+a  3mm,they love shrimp pellets ,cobalt,ginger
Title: Re: Frontosa behavior
Post by: watkinsrudy on March 12, 2016, 08:43:27 AM
Thanks for all the comments.  I'll check the water temp and keep the light off more, even though it's barely on.
I feed them sinking pellets most of the time.  It's just odd that they seem to rarely eat.  And they've gotten worse as they've gotten older.