PETROCHROMIS
THOUGHTS
REVISITED
AFTER 30 MONTHS
Frank Schulterbrandt 5/21/2011
After breeding and raising the species called petrochromis, my thoughts after more than 30 months have changed. I have always used the largest tank I could get my hands on usually a 125 gallon tank (6 footer). Keeping petrochromis in small numbers in the aquarium will often produce more unsuccessful , sad endings than successful stories. I know of one gentleman in Queens, New York that breeds and raises petrochromis in tanks less than 100 gallons. To this date I don’t know in how the world he breeds these petrochromis in such small tanks but he does. This is however the exception to the rule. In my opinion , the only way this might work is if he has the tank loaded with petros and has a tremendous amount of filtration, neither is the case.
Another thought is that my article entitled “Petrochromis Stocking Level” , I would increase the petro count up by five petros in those number in the chart. By adding those additional 5 petros to the population count , you must however make sure that your filtration and aeration is adequate. This will almost eliminate any serious form of aggression in your petro tank.
Another thought on feeding your petros, feed as much as you can without polluting your water. I believe most hobbyist do not feed their petros enough. We tend to feed a lot of food in one or two feedings due to the constraints of our daily lives. Several smaller feeding is a much better solution. Food that can last in your tanks for a longer period of time will help solve this problem; spirulina discs fall into this category. Starting a growth of algae in your tanks is another way to keep those petros fed properly. If you have a small amount of tanks you can install automatic food feeders on your tanks. As mentioned in many forums by many a hobbyist and by previous articles that I have written by feeding Shrimp Mix / Raw Shrimp will quickly get your petros in tremendous breeding condition.
Petros in their natural environment are grazing fish. If in fact you decide to create algae in your tank you can sprinkle spirulina powder into your tank or use plants like Anubius Nana etc. You should keep your aquarium lights on for 12 or more hours a day. Keep this routine up until you start to get a growth of algae on your rocks in the tank.
Another though is on water changes. You will be amazed on what water changes can do for your petrochromis. First of all the growth rate in your petros is like night and day if frequent water changes are performed. A 30 percent water change that was done once a week was better than a 70 percent water change done every two weeks.
Another though on the stripping of petros;
Another thought on returning that wounded petro back into the petro group.
To be continues ….
I have been fortunate to have house many variants of Petrochromis in a short period of time.
** indicates that I have bred that petrochromis variant
Wild Caught
Longola ** Spectacular looking fish, sneaky dangerous
Moshi Yellow Sibwesa ** Should not have sold these guys
Moshi Msalaba
Texas Bulu Pt. ** Would like to get this WC petro again
Red Dorsal Rainbow Kipili (Macro) ** The most vicious petro that I have spawned
Rainbow Kasumbe IMO not really a great looking fish (only had a pair)
Kasumbe Helembe Would like to get this WC petro again (only had a Trio, male killed)
Texas Tembwe Famula ** My first famula.
Tri-Color Chimba ** Only spawn these guys one time….. I only have a pair now.
Polyodon Kachese ** In quantity very peaceful
Blue Giant Fulwe Rock I should have never sold these guys (from two different sources)
Blue Fin Famula Cameron Bay ** The WC version of this fish at 6 inches (always looking for trouble)
Red Eye Ikola (Fasciolatus) ** The first petro that I spawned
Ikola Ikola (Orthognathus) ** A group of 10 complimented with some famula, tons of babies from both.
Orthognathus Bangwe ** A very prolific petro, too many babies.
Red Fin Famula Bangwe **
Moshi Mahale ** Not a lot of babies, in most cases 12…. But only once have I gotten 19.
Famula Kambwimba **
Blue Giant Kisambala ** The hardest petro that I have spawned, found 2 babies in the tank by accident.
Yellow Famula Nkondwe
Trewevase Here is the laugher , never able to spawn these guys …… LOL
Tank Raised
Famula Blue Kaiser (PR) ** Nice but not as nice as my Cameron Bay, slight, but noticeable differences.
Famula Orange Fin Silver Streak (TR) ** One of the top 3 best looking famula.
Trewevasae (PR) Never did spawn these guys , sold them when I got my WC group of Trews.
Famula Tembwe Silver
Orthognathus Northern
Famula Gold ** Not a lot of babies, perhaps because my group is very male heavy and older
females.
Simochromis diagramma "Isanga"
The WC Petros that I presently have now are:
Moshi Msalaba
Texas Tembwe Famula
Tri-Color Chimba
Blue Fin Famula Cameron Bay
Red Eye Ikola (Fasciolatus) two groups
Ikola Ikola (Orthognathus)
Orthognathus Bangwe
Red Fin Famula Bangwe two groups
Moshi Mahale
Famula Kambwimba
Blue Giants Kisambala
Yellow Famula Nkondwe
Famula Orange Fin Silver Streak (WC male , F1 Females)
Trewevase
Longola two groups
TR Petros
Famula Gold