Sandsifter/Muddwellers & Cyps

[fmueller]

I'll be getting a breeding colony of tricolor cyps this weekend. They'll go into my 125G. Currently the tank only has a few BN plecos, and the main goal of this setup will be to breed the cyps. I've kept Utinta for years in my 240G. The females are always holding, but I get no fry due to all the other fish. I don't want to add much to the 125G, but I've been wondering if some sandsifters or muddwellers might work. Will they prey on the cyp fry? Are there any particular species that should work well or that I should avoid? I've been thinking about trying my hand on sandsifters/muddwellers for years, but this would be my first attempt.

Many thanks

[Tim Craig]

I'll be getting a breeding colony of tricolor cyps this weekend. They'll go into my 125G. Currently the tank only has a few BN plecos, and the main goal of this setup will be to breed the cyps. I've kept Utinta for years in my 240G. The females are always holding, but I get no fry due to all the other fish. I don't want to add much to the 125G, but I've been wondering if some sandsifters or muddwellers might work. Will they prey on the cyp fry? Are there any particular species that should work well or that I should avoid? I've been thinking about trying my hand on sandsifters/muddwellers for years, but this would be my first attempt.

Many thanks

Hey Frank,

If by muddwellers you mean species like t. otostigma, they will definitely eat fry they can get to. My cyps even eat cyp fry, so not sure you'll get fry even with a species tank. I've heard others are forced to strip females to get any fry survival. I've had many cyp females holding, but never any fry.

I have had success getting paracyp fry to grow out in a tanks that also includes x. sima illangi (sold as, but may be boulengeri). So, if you stick with xeno's that stick to the sand, you may have some success. Some are more rock dweller. My paracyp fry stay to the upper corners of the tank until large enough to move out safely. Neither the xeno's or adult paracyps go after them.

And if you are interested in the otostigma, let me know. I sold off my breeders, but they gave me a large brood that I'm growing out now before they left. You can have all you want. PM me if interested. You know me on another forum as prov356, where we've chatted a bit. I still would like to get down to you and see your tanks.

Tim

[Gerd]

Hello again!

I've been wondering if some sandsifters or muddwellers might work

I'm keeping several local varieties of Paracyprichromis brieni, each accompanied by another species and I get the fry grow out.
I keep my P.b. "Kitumba" with Xenotilapia ornatipinnis,
my P.b. "Katete" with Xenotilapia spiloptera,
my P.b. "Tembwe" with Xenotilapia (Microdontochromis) rotundiventralis
and my P.b. "Mvuna" with Xenotilapia (Asprotilapia) leptura.
Regards
Gerd

[fmueller]

Sorry for getting back to this post so late!

@Tim - we will definetely have to do some sort of visit exchange this winter, since I am pretty keen to have a look at your tanks myself! Regarding the cyp tankmates, I have added a colony of L. similis that I picked up at the Extravaganza. I've kept an eye open for similis for some time, and they are not a common species in Ohio. The tank has lots of hiding places, and I think if I get cyp fry they will have a decent chance of survival. I'll toss in a big ball of Java moss if I see a female holding. If all else fails, I might consider stripping the females, but I have never done this before, and I am not a great fan of the concept.

@Gert - Paracyprichromis nigripinnis are becoming fairly common in Ohio, mostly thanks to one local breeder who has a colony that seems to produce fry by the dozen load. However, I am fairly envious of your P. brieni, which I have never seen other than in photos. I am originally from Germany, and usually check in at MalTaVi when I visit. Their web site sucks, but they have an ad in DCG Informationen and are close to the village where my Dad lives. Most importantly they tend to have an amazing selection of fish, but they were out of P. brieni last time I was there.

I'll have to take some photos of my tricolor cyps. I am pretty happy about the fish I got