Nimbochromis Venustus

[Jim in Michiana]

A little info please ????

I purchased a group (12) of 1" fry several months ago, and they're growing pretty well. Some are approaching 4" with the majority about 3" and a few runts about 2.5".......

The group is housed in a 125g tank with 4 Nimbichromis Linii that are similary sized. There does not appear to be any agression between the different species, and they all seem to "shoal" together. The tank has 2 distinct "territories" at opposing ends, with open swimming room in between. The substrate is PFS. There is a Hydor Koralia 3 at one end of the tank for circulation, and (3) #5 sponge filters for denitrification. The tank receives a water change of approx 15-20 gallons daily thru my automated drip system.

One fish, obviously a male, has developed a gorgeous blue face and a white dorsal fin. One or two others are showing hints of blue in the face also.

My questions are.......

(1) At what size can I expect these fish to begin breeding ? I'm assuming that if they are showing dimorphic characteristics (color), that they should be ready to start at any time now.

(2) I've read that Venustus males are intolerant of other Venustus males in the same tank. Is this true ? If I can Identify more than one male, should I start to split the group up into smaller colonies trying to maintain a decent M-F ratio ???

(3) Diet..... I've read that they're vegetarian, and I've also read that they're omnivores. Can anyone speak from experience with regards to diet ?

(4) Interbreeding. Should I be concerned about the possibility (if one exists) of the Venustus crossbreeding with the Linii ?

Thanks in advance for any information you'd be willing to share.

Thanks, Jim

[Pam Chin]

Hi Jim,


(1) At what size can I expect these fish to begin breeding ? I'm assuming that if they are showing dimorphic characteristics (color), that they should be ready to start at any time now.

I think they are probably sexually mature at 12 - 14 months old. Color is also a dominance issue, and so having a male pop his colors shows he is the boss. While it can be easy to tell the males, it is always the females that are harder to ID since males will hold the female coloration to avoid confrontation.


2) I've read that Venustus males are intolerant of other Venustus males in the same tank. Is this true ? If I can Identify more than one male, should I start to split the group up into smaller colonies trying to maintain a decent M-F ratio ???

I would keep an eye on them, but I think your tank is large enough, and hopefully long enough that it will be able to support multiple males. In larger groups you don't have to concentrate on ratio's, multiple males will take a lot of aggression away from the females. And that is a good thing. Subdominate males are often observed spawning also. If someone is getting totally trashed, then get them out, but generally in groups that have been raised up together they will tolerate each other better.

(3) Diet..... I've read that they're vegetarian, and I've also read that they're omnivores. Can anyone speak from experience with regards to diet ?[/color]

N. venustus is an ambush predator. He prefers to pick off his victims on the sand. So they need a good cichlid staple food, that provides a well balanced diet. They do quite well on most of the cichlid pellets that are available.[/color]

(4) Interbreeding. Should I be concerned about the possibility (if one exists) of the Venustus crossbreeding with the Linii ?[/color]

Yes it is very possible that they could cross. Remember any mouthbrooder can cross with another. and in this case it is the females that pick the male. Everyone loves a big blue male!

Hope this helps you, sounds like a nice group in the making!

Cichlid Power!
Pam