N. Livingstoni breeding questions

[Regalblue]

Are these guys like the other Malawi cichlids?  Do they do better in groups?  Could I just obtain a pair? 

[danielratti]

Id say groups the males are known to be aggressive at times so the more add the better the aggression will be spread out.

[Regalblue]

Have you bred these Daniel?

[danielratti]

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.

[mightieskeeper]

I'm I reading this post right, Blair wants to come to the other side?  The dark side!

[Ron]

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. 

[Regalblue]

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?

[Ron]

Ron-. About what size would Livingstoni start to spawn?

4"-5" typically IMO/IME.

[Regalblue]

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?

[Ron]

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.

[Regalblue]

What's the largest you got your Livingstoni too?

[mightieskeeper]

Do they taste good with butter?

[Ron]

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. 

[Regalblue]

OK, how long did it take it to get to 10.5" & using what diet/ feeding regiment?

[Ron]

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?