Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => Old World => Topic started by: Regalblue on June 20, 2012, 07:09:41 PM

Title: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Regalblue on June 20, 2012, 07:09:41 PM
Are these guys like the other Malawi cichlids?  Do they do better in groups?  Could I just obtain a pair? 
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: danielratti on June 20, 2012, 07:27:30 PM
Id say groups the males are known to be aggressive at times so the more add the better the aggression will be spread out.
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Regalblue on June 20, 2012, 09:44:20 PM
Have you bred these Daniel?
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: danielratti on June 20, 2012, 10:01:18 PM
Never got them to breed had them in my tank and just got so frustrated with the aggression from the male he wasn't even fully grown and was killing fish 3 to 4 inches bigger than what he was... Ive heard different stories on them thought.
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: mightieskeeper on June 20, 2012, 11:02:15 PM
I'm I reading this post right, Blair wants to come to the other side?  The dark side!
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Ron on June 20, 2012, 11:33:35 PM
None of the malawian haps are pairing species.

Keeping a harem is best if possible. IME you can get away with pairs in larger tanks so long as there is a variety of other tankmates as well to occupy the time of the male, so he doesn't harass the female excessively. IME they aren't one of the most aggressive, nor one of the least aggressive species. I'd consider them "average", though Livingstonii tend to get larger/thicker than a number of other haps (ex: Protomelas sp., Copadichromis sp., etc.).

I've spawned them in 100 and 150 gallon tanks (6' in both cases), in one case 1m/1f and another 1m/2f. Both times in the presence of a variety of other haps (fully stocked tanks). Overall I like them and still have kept a few around in growout tanks. Right now I'm aiming to raise up a small group of probably 1m/3-4f).

Never got them to breed had them in my tank and just got so frustrated with the aggression from the male he wasn't even fully grown and was killing fish 3 to 4 inches bigger than what he was... Ive heard different stories on them thought.
What size tank did you have them in?

I'm I reading this post right, Blair wants to come to the other side?  The dark side!
I was pretty impressed to see this as well.  8)
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Regalblue on June 21, 2012, 12:58:48 AM
I'm I reading this post right, Blair wants to come to the other side?  The dark side!
I've always liked the Nimbos&  have kept Livingstoni, Venustus& Polystigma before. 
Venustus have made great Flowerhorn dithers for me in the past. But, Livingstoni appeal more to me.

Ron-. About what size would Livingstoni start to spawn?
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Ron on June 21, 2012, 06:47:11 AM
Ron-. About what size would Livingstoni start to spawn?
4"-5" typically IMO/IME.
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Regalblue on June 21, 2012, 07:34:38 AM
Ron-. About what size would Livingstoni start to spawn?
4"-5" typically IMO/IME.

Wasn't it the Livingstoni that spit the Syno. Multi. for you?
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Ron on June 21, 2012, 11:28:41 AM
Wasn't it the Livingstoni that spit the Syno. Multi. for you?
Yes, a larger pair (male:8.5"+, female 6"+). FWIW, my former C. borleyi group produced more multis than the livingstonii did.
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Regalblue on June 21, 2012, 12:01:31 PM
What's the largest you got your Livingstoni too?
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: mightieskeeper on June 21, 2012, 10:14:37 PM
Do they taste good with butter?
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Ron on June 22, 2012, 06:21:28 AM
What's the largest you got your Livingstoni too?
10.5", but I never kept any for such a long time that I've lost them due to age. I also feel lots of fish in aquariums end up overfed and therefore, over-sized. I don't try to produce the largest possible specimens and instead stick to emulating what I feel is a more naturally proportioned diet. I suspect if you tried you could get some 12"+.
Do they taste good with butter?
I will say, compared to some other hap species I've kept, Nimbochromis are among the thickest! I've never tried one though.  ;)
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Regalblue on June 22, 2012, 07:38:57 AM
OK, how long did it take it to get to 10.5" & using what diet/ feeding regiment?
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Ron on June 22, 2012, 11:27:09 AM
OK, how long did it take it to get to 10.5" & using what diet/ feeding regiment?
My details are a bit fuzzy as it's going back 8-10 years. It was probably around 3-4 years to reach full size starting with 2-2.5" fish. I was feeding A combination of Spirulina 20 (now defunct) and Tetra Cichlid-sticks, with occasional treats of freeze-dried mysis or chopped raw shrimp. Water changes of ~40% every 2-3 weeks, occasionally longer back then.

So have you actually gotten some yet?
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Regalblue on June 22, 2012, 12:05:41 PM
No I don't have any. 
 Did you still have some for sale?

The Fusco is another that I like
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Ron on June 22, 2012, 12:52:48 PM
I have a limited amount and would have to do a head count before confirming exactly how many. Let me know if you want me to check.

Fusco's are nice, but I've never seen any females or un-sexed juvies for sale locally. I've only ever found the odd male juvenile. I've only kept 3 males, all at separate times, and including the one I've got currently they've always been the most aggressive "Nimbochromis" sp. I've kept (out of venustus, livingstonii, and linni FWIW). If they haven't already, I won't be surprised the day they are removed from being Nimbochromis and moved to a more fitting genus such as Tyrannochromis.
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Regalblue on June 22, 2012, 01:41:05 PM
I'm good on the Livingstoni right now. No need to count,  thank you though

Now that you point it out - I haven't seen any unsexed/ female Fuscos either.  Which makes me want to breed them over another even more.
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Regalblue on June 22, 2012, 02:17:16 PM
I'm I reading this post right, Blair wants to come to the other side?  The dark side!
or this thread could've been a scheme to "instigate " Ron into posting.  ;)
I do like the predator Cichlids though.
Title: Re: N. Livingstonii breeding questions
Post by: gmaschke on June 22, 2012, 05:45:51 PM
Dirty Scoundrel!!!!
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Regalblue on June 22, 2012, 06:24:58 PM
Dirty Scoundrel!!!!
:P Don't worry George,  your turn will come ;)
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: jcunningham0295 on July 09, 2012, 08:56:14 AM
Hey, Blair if you are interested in some livingstoni, Bruce at aquatic treasures has a really nice male and he was telling me someone offered him a female as well.  The male is a nice 6.5 to 7".   
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Regalblue on July 09, 2012, 09:20:48 AM
Thanks but I'm good.

Something Fishy has a real nice looking adult group right now as well.
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: jcunningham0295 on July 09, 2012, 09:41:17 AM
Thanks but I'm good.

Something Fishy has a real nice looking adult group right now as well.

Where is Something Fishy at?  Is this the one in Cleveland, OH?
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Ron on July 09, 2012, 10:56:09 AM
Thanks but I'm good.
Are you sure? Based on recent threads you've been buying a lot of tanks and certainly have room SOMEWHERE?

If not, just get another tank.  ;)
Title: Re: N. Livingstoni breeding questions
Post by: Regalblue on July 09, 2012, 03:15:47 PM
I picked up a Quad of peacocks last week.  So, don't worry my African tank has been started. ;)