- Messages
- 21
- Location
- Florida, USA
A month or two ago I purchased a couple very small Enigmatochromis lucanusi on AquaBid. They've been growing out in a 20 gallon long. I got them at roughly .75 - 1" and they're now probably 1.5 - 1.75".
These particular fish are "F-whatever" according to the seller because he's tank-bred a few generations of them and has lost track. I know that wilds really prefer the soft, acidic water for spawning but I am currently growing them out in a higher pH.
My big questions:
1. What is the maximum temperature for this species? Everything I read said to ditch a heater or set it very low, with the fish preferring the mid-70s Fahrenheit. They're probably at 76 - 78F or so now.
2. Can they be kept with South American dwarf cichlids? I am not a strict purist when it comes to mixing cichlids from different parts of the world, as long as the parameters are similar. I am growing out a group of seven Dicrossus foirni F1 in a 55 gallon and their temperature is around 80F. I was wondering if that was too high for the E. lucanusi, and if it would be possible to mix the two species? Neither seems particularly aggressive (except mildly so toward conspecifics) but I'd hate for anything to happen to my Dicrossus.
Some information I've read about the E. lucanusi suggests that you can treat them as you would kribs, while other sources seem to suggest they're less adaptable or more sensitive. I also can't seem to find anything about their aggression levels. I did see some pictures on a French site where lucanusi were being grown out with Apistos of some sort.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcomed!
These particular fish are "F-whatever" according to the seller because he's tank-bred a few generations of them and has lost track. I know that wilds really prefer the soft, acidic water for spawning but I am currently growing them out in a higher pH.
My big questions:
1. What is the maximum temperature for this species? Everything I read said to ditch a heater or set it very low, with the fish preferring the mid-70s Fahrenheit. They're probably at 76 - 78F or so now.
2. Can they be kept with South American dwarf cichlids? I am not a strict purist when it comes to mixing cichlids from different parts of the world, as long as the parameters are similar. I am growing out a group of seven Dicrossus foirni F1 in a 55 gallon and their temperature is around 80F. I was wondering if that was too high for the E. lucanusi, and if it would be possible to mix the two species? Neither seems particularly aggressive (except mildly so toward conspecifics) but I'd hate for anything to happen to my Dicrossus.
Some information I've read about the E. lucanusi suggests that you can treat them as you would kribs, while other sources seem to suggest they're less adaptable or more sensitive. I also can't seem to find anything about their aggression levels. I did see some pictures on a French site where lucanusi were being grown out with Apistos of some sort.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcomed!