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Breeding tank is cycling and I'm studying, studying, studying, not to mention e x c i t e d!!! Planning to breed altos compressiceps (firefin or gold head, can't decide which) and want to have spathudos erythrodon barundi (gobi cichlids) whether they will breed or not. I adore the faces on both these fish not to mention what I've read about their behavior. My question is should I only have one breeding species in a 29g tank? Would the breeders be happier to have the tank to themselves or enjoy the company of peaceable tankmates from their same origin? Probably just the start of a gazillion questions, but reading as much as possible before bringing them here. Thanks in advance.

Spathodus erythrodon "burundi" are a pretty rare and uncommon tangayikan. Unless you already have them, they fetch a considerate price tag.

Compressiceps do take a while to start breeding, and harder to find a pair. Do you have a pair already? If not, start with a trio of mature compressiceps or 6 juvenile compressiceps. The juveniles take a long time to mature, so you might wnat to look into the mature ones. The problem is this is hard to find, and pricey. Try to get three or more, in hopes that you get at least one of each sex. Put them in the 29, and basically let them do their thing. Usually this takes a while.

Provide alot of caves in order for them to feel comfortable.

Hi InkoDinko, thanks for the response. After a lot of thought (and not done thinking yet!) I'd really like to start out with 3 pair of known breeders altos comps, burundi blue dots, and neolamprologus helianthus sunflower (though would be happy w/daffodils or dyprichromis azuri in place of sunflower). I love the faces on the comps and burundi, and the colors of the others. Here's a good article on the burundi's behavior:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/gobies.php

Three pair (proven happy w/each other) seem like the perfect population for this size tank and my likes. Saving fry will be an issue but I'll be prepared to move them out when necessary. All but the comps are mouthbrooders so will have that added protection. I just want to make the tank as natural a habitat as possible and let breeding take it's course. But I can't bear to wait longer than necessary for them to pair off though I know getting a young group is cheaper. And if I get 3 pairs at the same time there won't be more tank dominance issues.

Check out
http://www.ohiexchange.com/armke/list.htm. Know anything about this company? They seem to know their fish. Check out the pix of the burundi too, they're a hoot! They are $35.50 for a mated pair. Not bad for rare. The comps are way high considering you can get 8 juvs for $35 on aquabid. Prices are crazy so gonna keep doing more homework.

Caves yes, and rocks, and rock caves... Is holey rock good or are the holes to small, besides it's not native to them? I read daffodils breed like crazy. Do you think an easy to breed pair would setoff the others to breed? Sorry to ramble on like this, just jazzed...

[span class="edited"][Edited by June 2004-09-08 21:38][/span]

I'm a bit confused! Please correct me if I am wrong, but do you have a 29g tank in which you want to breed one pair of Gobies, one pair of Compressiceps and a pair of N.Helianthus together?

If this is so, ideally, each species needs the 29g to themselves for a successful and happy/peaceful breeding chance.

N.Helianthus are of the brichardi complex, they will attempt (and likely succeed) to destroy any other occupants in the tank when spawning.

Compressiceps need a few together to hope for a pairing (unless of course you buy an already mated pair) which would rule out others living in the tank.

A proven pair of Comps, with a pair of Gobies might be the tightest you could manage it.

Yep, that's what I've been finding out, the neolamps, esp daffodil and helianthus types will destroy anyone else in their tank while breeding. But so far it's been thumbs up from various sources re the alto comps and burundi coexisting peaceably, even while breeding. Biggest concern would be timely removal of the fry. Maybe I'm being greedy trying to get different types of fish in the same tank. That's why I'm asking, trying to avoid a disasterous situation. One "expert" said 4 compatible pairs would breed easily in 29g spacewise! I don't want them crowded! Just trying to get a little variety, yet harmony, in a certain amt of space. Perhaps two types of comps would be better in the same tank. Then put brain to work on more tank space in the house for the other lil guys.

Yeah, I'm an addict.

Don't mix different types of the same species, especially ones like the Altolamprologus, as there is a very high chance they will interbreed and hybridize.

In a 3' tank, if you stand and look at it, split it in two, with one side for one pair of fish and the other side for the second.. where do any other other fish go?

Let us know how you get on! Sounds like you'll get some nice fish in there.

x

I agree with malaikah, The neolamprologus/altolamprologus really easily interbreed. Usually you can tell the species fromt he cheek sign.

Brichardi has a --l, Daffodils )), helianthus V, Olivaceous \\.

I would start with 6 compressiceps, let them pair, and rid of the others. Then add the gobies. Daffodils and brichardi are more peaceful than helianthus, and can live with other fish, so I would reccomend them instead.

Good point Malaikah. Would want to keep purity of the species. Even w/2 bonded pairs who knows what would happen. Really want to play it safe so gonna stick with comps and gobi. Does anyone know how long til maturity if I got 1" juvs? One year? Two? More? Man! Having a tough time deciding which color to get!!! They're all so dang pretty. Thank you guys for all your thoughts.

So many fish, so little everything else...

It usually takes them two - three years before they're sexually mature, and in some cases, four - five years.
I'd personally leave the gobi cichlids out. They do much better in a species tank.

[span class="edited"][Edited by Dave. 2004-09-10 05:02][/span]