Fighting Nitrates

The quality of the tap water here in Melbourne, Florida leaves much to be desired. After using stress coat to remove chlorine, I took a measurement of the Nitrates. This "treated" water had nitrate measurements over 40 ppm. While nitrates don't have the same harmful characteristics as ammonia, they can still make the tropheus feel less than optimal, and also effect their desire to breed. So, what to do... water changes are recommended to bring nitrate levels down, however the tap water has high nitrates (which stress coat or any other water treatement does not remove).

The offensive: I decided to use de-nitrate chips, a power head, and phosban-reactor 150 in an attempt to bring the nitrate levels down. This should help the naturally occuring cycle of a somewhat newly established tank (nitrates will spike, and then begin to decrease in about a 2 week period). I also added a ton of Amazon Swords to the aquarium to help in the natural exchange of nitrates. Ammonia chips where incorporated into the 2 Emporer 400 filters in addition to more de-nitrate chips. I used my household reverse osmosis system to produce 10 gallons per day to be used for 20% water changes until the nitrates drop to acceptable levels. Because water from the reverse osmosis unit is "pure", it is missing the essentials that the fish would normally get in the wild. These essentials were provided by mixing Tanganyikan Cichlid Buffer Salts into the "pure" water.

Duboisi Mom Frees Fry

After exactly 40 days, the overprotective Duboisi Karilani mom released her fry for good. There were six pearly little butterflies comprising the brood, all healthy and acting like tropheus siblings. The fry are already eating crushed spiralina flake and making themselves at home in the 20 gallon long aquarium. Her mate was moved into another tank, and she took his place to ensure her safety. She'll be getting re-acquainted with the aquascape in the 72 gallon aquarium while the male gets a vacation of his own. At some point, I'll try to put them back together -- but under heavy supervision!

Tanganyikan Cichlids

The Protective Mother Duboisi Karilani

What isn't supposed to happen, under normal circumstances, happened. The "pair" (not colony) of Duboisi Karilani in my 72 gallon bow front aquarium spawned. After 3 weeks, I carefully plucked the female from the tank (in the still of the night) and placed her in a 10 gallon aquarium so she could release her fry in peace.

It turns out this is one overprotective mom. The spawning occured on the 6th of July, and she only released the fry on the 12th of August. She is still very quick to gather up these little pearly butterfiles whenever I approach the tank. I don't feel the need to strip her, and am letting nature take its course. From all appearances, there seem to be about 5 - 6 fry; which are rather large compared to Mbuna fry.

I'm concerned about returning her to the tank with the male as I believe he will attack her in his excitement to spawn again.

The Tropheus Experiment

In August of 2008, I decided to dedicate one on my 55 gallon aquariums to the raising of juvenile Tropheus. Other attempts to raise these creatures resulted in failure, many of the young dying to more adult fish, bloat, and other causes unknown. Break out the wallet... here we go again.

I knew the basics. Heavy Filtration, strict vegetarian diet (which meant my picky eating Frontosa would need to be migrated to another aquarium), proper pH, temperature, lighting (actinic and daylight), and leaving well enough alone as not to perturb their environment (they seem to like little or no change).

Among the Tropheus in the population are Duboisi Maswa, Duboisi Karilani, Ilangi, Bemba, Ikola, Canary Cheeks, and Green Murago. I will post progress as I attempt to grow up these colonies. Advice and constructive criticism is welcome.

Getting Started

August 11th 2008: The joy and frustration of raising Tropheus cichlids inspired me to start this blog. It is my hope others will find the experiences of those who grace these pages helpful in their endeavors to raise Tropheus cichlids.