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Hello everyone

I have a question, or two.
[link=http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/p_electra.php]http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/p_electra.php" style="COLOR: #FFFF00[/link]
I'll just like to know some general info on P.electras. I recently got 1 small one, and i love it. It's always swimming about, very active fish Does anyone know what the ideal electra group size is? And does anyone know any breeding info on them, sex ratio etc.

Another question I have. On the link i just provided it displays a picture of a cichlid in the top left hand corner. Does anyone know what type of fish this is? It's a very nice fish.



Thanks in advance

Hey PJ, fish in the top corner is Nimbochromis Venustus.

I breed Placidochromis electra "superior" from Mandalawi.
Very peaceful fish, does best in groups of 4 or more. M/F ratio is about 1/2.
I have 3M/5F, and there's no aggression to worry about.
6" max size females 4 1/2-5"
Sand substrate, as they sift it for food. A few caves, but lots of open swimming space.
Broods # 30-40 normally. Attain sexual maturity at around 2". Best tank mates are peacocks, so long as the males breeding coloring is not similar.

Hope that helps a bit, anything else just ask

Dave

Thanks Dave . You answered all my questions

The electra is currently in my 115g. Chances are it's gonna stay there. Because i don't really have anywhere else to put it. With that info, i think i'll get about 4-5 more. Then i'll wait to see how many males/females i have and adjust the group size then.

Just a few more questions
Is it necessary to have sand? I have shell grit in the tank.
And Is there anyway to tell males appart from females when they're still relatively small?

Thanks again for your help
--PJ

Sand is not a must have, you'll be fine with what you have. It's just preferred.

You can vent them, but this is tricky. Usually 2" is the min for vent any cichlid.
If your getting more keep in mind Males grow faster than females, so pick a few small ones the hieghten the odds of more females

They'll do great in your 115g, just be careful of tankmates, these guys are very peaceful......
though 1M/2-3F. would work very well in a 55g, species tank. Just to expand your opinions.
High protien diet as their Carnivores, brine shrimp once a week is great, flakes and cichlid pellets make up the rest of their diet.
Anything else just let me know. Enjoy them

Dave
VENTING:
http://www.fishhead.com/articles/ventsex.htm

Last edited by mr_cichlid at 05-Apr-2005 20:59

I'm currently feeding the P. Electra brine shrimp, bloodworms, flakes and peas (for the electric yellows). He loves the brine shrimp. I try not to feed floating food like cichlid sticks because i heard it's possible for Frontosas to get float by eating from the surface. now i'm kinda paranoid
All the tank mates are peaceful aswell, so thats good.
I should be getting the other electras on the weekend aswell.
So i'm sure the electras will be happy in my tank, and hopefully breed in the future.

Well Good luck, and enjoy...

To overcome your fear regarding floating pellets, soak them in a cup of the tanks water for 3-5mins.
When you don't soak them they expand in the fishes stomach/intestines and are not easily digested.
By presoaking them, you first make them expand prior to being eaten as well it helps to soften the pellet to make it more easily digesttble.

ok, cool.
Thanks for the tip

even better, lose the floating pellets. they are most likley not that great for the fish. feeding your fish shouldnt be a chore. try to get your hands on new life spectrum pellets. they are sinking pellets and you dont have to soak them. it is the best food for your cichlids hands down.