April 2009 - Kitchener Waterloo Aquarium Society

A P R I L 2 0 0 9
March Name That Fish
Submitted by Zenin Skomorowski, KWAS (zenin@golden.net). All photos by the author.
Dwarf Flag Cichlids ( Laetacara curviceps ) Family of Brevis ( Neolamprologus brevis )
This month’s first “Name That Fish” was a group of four
Dwarf Flag Cichlids guessed by Jamie McDougall.
They originally come from slow moving tributaries in the
Amazon basin. Most of these fish seen in the hobby are captive
bred on commercial farms or by hobbyists. They are
omnivores, so part of their diet should contain meaty high
protein foods like pellets, flakes and occasionally live and
frozen foods. Vegetable flake, spirulina and shelled frozen peas
should also be given. Sexing is difficult, but you may notice the
typical longer dorsal, ventral and anal fins in males. Adult
males can grow to 7.5 cm (3 inches), females will grow to 6.5 cm
(2.5 inches). Females may be stockier when carrying eggs.
They form monogamous pairs and are substrate spawners,
usually depositing eggs on a flat rock. They are diligent parents
and will chase away much larger fish when protecting eggs and
fry.
A minimum of 20 gallons should be provided with driftwood,
floating plants and a dark substrate. The water should have
minimal movement and be in the acidic range of pH from 5.5 to
7.0. Temperature range is 24 to 29C ( 75 to 84F ). Companions
can be tetras, and
pencil fish. In larger
tanks, they can be
with other relatively
peaceful cichlids such
as angels, discus and
rams. Corys and
dwarf plecos may eat
the eggs.
This month’s second “Name That Fish” was a pair of
Neolamprologus brevis guessed by Ryan Barton. The fish along
with the conch shell were donated by Geoff Money.
These shell dwelling dwarf cichlids originally come from the
Rift Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. Most of these fish
available in the hobby come from local breeders. These fish are
easy to breed. Provide a shell and a devoted pair will take up
residence and you will have fry very soon. Males grow to
about 6 cm (2.25 inches), females are smaller at 4 cm (1.5
inches). They have a brown body and slightly yellow belly
with 9 tan vertical bars on their sides. There is usually a
florescent blue line under the eye. A dark fringe on the tail is
preceded by a lighter colour band. They are not picky eaters.
Give them flake, micro pellets, frozen bloodworms and brine
shrimp.
They rarely go more than a few inches from their shell. If you
provide small shells, make sure there is a sand substrate so they
can rearrange the sand and the shell to their liking. Water
parameters should be hard with a high pH, Kitchener-Waterloo
tap water is ideal. Temperature should be 25-27C ( 77-80F ). A
10 gallon tank is
plenty for a pair. If
kept in a larger tank,
try them with White
Cloud Mountain
Minnows, or other
small fish that will not
compete for territory
along the bottom of
the tank.
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