Labidochromis sp. "hongi"

[Pam Chin]

Dear Pam,

I have a question that you can probably help me with. All my tanks are one species only tanks. No chance of hybrids occurring. My Labidochromis sp. "hongi" tank is very productive. The last batch of fry produced three "OB" hongi's out of the 22 total. This was the first time it has ever happened. They have a soft orange body color with brown blotching and fins are rimmed in red. What do I do next?? Try to bred these OB's with each other or with the normal colored hongi's? They are now two inches long. Thanks,

Bob

Dear Pam,

I got some F-1 Labidochromis sp. "hongi" several months ago. The F-1 had regular hongi coloration, but the F-2's came out with some OB's. While it is doubtful that there are OB hongi in the wild, it is speculated that they carry the OB gene and that most likely some OB's are born in regular spawns but because of the mutant color, they end up being an easy target for larger fish. What do you think?? Thanks,

Gerry

[Pam Chin]

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Dear Bob and Gerry,

I find it very unusual and coincidental that two hobbyists from opposite ends of the country have experienced OB fry in their spawns of Labidochromis sp. "hongi". I asked around and my sources also doubt that this could be. The fish was first imported to Germany long before it became available in the United States. The Germans who have worked with this fish for many years have not experienced any OB fry.

I hate to say it, but I believe that the stock you both have came from Florida. They were more than likely bred in ponds, and somewhere along the line an OB (Probably Pseudotropheus sp.) migrated into the pond. This is the only logical explanation, for OB fry showing up. Unfortunately the OB's you have spawned are a hybrid kick back.