Enantiopus sp. "Kilesa" Growth Thread

[jcunningham0295]

Due to some interest I thought I would start a thread about the growth of my Enantiopus sp. "Kilesa" fry.  Here are some of the first pics today after I stripped them from the female last night.  Right now there is around 30 of them in a 10 gallon tank with 10 Callachromis stappersii I also stripped last night.

[saji1986]

Cool thread Josh. I've kept a lot of different Tanganyikan's but have never kept the Enantiopus or other sand sifters such as xeno's, but have always been interested in them.

I know they require a tank with sand, and some open space. Is it correct like other cichlids they pretty much ignore other species - but are aggressive towards their own?

I know I will be checking in from time to time, curious to see how they develop.
Thanks for sharing - Jim.

[Ron]

Those are guys are tiny!

Have you raised any kilesa fry previously or is this the first attempt?

[jcunningham0295]

Cool thread Josh. I've kept a lot of different Tanganyikan's but have never kept the Enantiopus or other sand sifters such as xeno's, but have always been interested in them.

I know they require a tank with sand, and some open space. Is it correct like other cichlids they pretty much ignore other species - but are aggressive towards their own?

I know I will be checking in from time to time, curious to see how they develop.
Thanks for sharing - Jim.

Yes, I have them in with some cyps and from time to time the dominant kilesa male with chase one away, but most of the chasing is done with their own, but no damage is done.

[jcunningham0295]

Those are guys are tiny!

Have you raised any kilesa fry previously or is this the first attempt?

Yes, they are tiny.  I stripped the females at 15 and 16 days.  My first attempt failed as I only have one survivor out of 18.  However, I think this was due to me changing the water too often and too much when I did.  I am going to try something different with these guys this time.  Hopefully it is successful.

[jcunningham0295]

Here are some updated pics.  They are now a a week old and starting to swim all over the tank.

[Michael Zebrowski]

Congrats, Kilesas are great-looking fish.  Looking forward to seeing them grow.

[jamarini]

Their bellies look to be full.  What are you feeding them, Josh?  How many have you got at this point?

[four_by_ken]

I did a Google Image search on...  Enantiopus sp. Kilesa


Thats a neat looking little fish!

[four_by_ken]

Wonder how these would do in my Albus tank.

[jcunningham0295]

Their bellies look to be full.  What are you feeding them, Josh?  How many have you got at this point?

Right now I am feeding them powder brine twice a day.  I think I have over 30 right now.

[jcunningham0295]

Well things did not work out this time.  Did a one gallon water change last Thursday and between Thursday night and Saturday I lost both batches of fry.  Man these guys are very delicate.  It is a good thing I just stripped another female tonight and got 14 or 15 fry and have two more holding.  This time I am trying a magnetic fry saver in the main tank wih the breeders.

[Ron]

I'm disappointed to hear they are that touchy! I'll certainly appreciate them more when I see 1"+ size fry for sale knowing what a potential PITA it is to get them that big!

[jcunningham0295]

I'm disappointed to hear they are that touchy! I'll certainly appreciate them more when I see 1"+ size fry for sale knowing what a potential PITA it is to get them that big!

I know, same here.  I waited almost two weeks before I changed any of their water.  Maybe the saying "the third time is charm" will apply this time.

[four_by_ken]

What a bummer.  At least you have some more to try again.

How many are in this new group?