Phyllonemus Typus tank

[Phyllonemus]

I've bought las week 4 pc of Wild Caught Phyllonemus Typus, probably 2 male and 2 female
They are housed in a 60 cm tank to pair off.

When a Pair has formed, the other 2 will be moved to an Tanganyikan Cichlid Tank

[Birger]

Keep in mind they will not form a permanent pair

Do a search ,there is already some good information on these, and have you read the cotm on this species.
http://www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/cotm. ... cle_id=365

Birger

[Phyllonemus]

@Birger,
In your CotM Article you wrote that you've kept them in a group of 6.
How big was that tank they where in ?
Was it a Catfish species tank ?

Greets, Riny

[Birger]

@Birger,
In your CotM Article you wrote that you've kept them in a group of 6.
How big was that tank they where in ?
Was it a Catfish species tank ?

That very first group I had was in quarantine by themselves in a 90cm x 45cm x 40cm high, there were ten fish with many many caves.

Now I have a group of six in the same size foot print but 45 cm high together with synodontis lucipinnis set up as described in the cotm. I have had various cichlids and also synodontis grandiops through this tank as well with no problems but never any large number of cichlids. Usually once a month I will pull out all the stones and check the typus for young.

I also have another group of six in a larger tank which has my syno. angelica and congo tetra's and they do just fine as there is a large amount of rockwork in this tank as well, I just do not collect any young out of that one as it would be a lot of trouble to break it down monthly.

Birger

[Phyllonemus]

Birger,
Does the Typus getting enough food with also Synodontis in the same tank ?
This is what someone told me, so That's wy I thought that a Combi with Typus and Syno's would'nt work.

Greets, Riny

[Birger]

Does the Typus getting enough food with also Synodontis in the same tank ?
This is what someone told me, so That's wy I thought that a Combi with Typus and Syno's would'nt work.

Mine do and they also breed regularly...

I would think the amount of rockwork that I use makes a difference, I generally use sinking pellets and bloodworms for mine and it sinks among the stones for those that are shy...but really the typus come to the forefront of the tank quite often and mingle with the lucipinnis syno's at feeding time(even with a light on). The amount of stones I use makes them feel more at ease knowing they can dash back in if needed.

Even in the larger tank, where there are no stones or wood there are plants so the typus are actually more visible knowing they can dash in at anytime, and these ones seem to be in great shape as well and I see them feeding regularly.

If kept in a bare tank with minimum caves you will most likely see them less.

If breeding them is the goal and space allows then I would suggest a species only tank as you could tailor the amount of caves and food specifically for them.Once you are used to them then combine as you like.

I would also like to say again six would be minimum for me, I actually would feel better if there were a couple more in the tank with the lucipinnis due to their possible violent ways http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... 83&start=0. I have had up to twenty in this tank but no breeding went on at that time.

Hope this helps.

Birger

[Richard B]

I agree with Birger that the more cover you provide, the more secure they feel & the more you actually see them! This goes against inexperinced logic a little.

Also mine gets plenty food even with the mix of synos i keep, with the vast majority being much larger, more robust & quicker to respond to food entering the tank.

[Phyllonemus]

Birger and Richard,
Thanx for the info !

[Phyllonemus]

It has happen't two times already last monththat a male & female where together in the same cave for about two days, and later on they where in there own hole again.
In this two times this happened (in a 3 weeks period), it was the same male with the same female.

Are they trying to mating up ?

[Birger]

I am not sure what you are feeding yours but try to change up their food maybe...if you can do it a treat of young cichlids(up to 10 mm) might just be enough to get them going...I would say if they are hanging out together the possibility is there for a spawn.

Birger

[Phyllonemus]

Birger, about the food
I'm giving them Schrimp mix, Catfish pellets, Mysis, Cichlid pellets, Mysis.
I Think I'm going to try to feed them young guppys.

Greets, Riny

[Birger]

I Think I'm going to try to feed them young guppys

I am sure they will not mind the guppies to snack on...the only thing is young cichlids tend to stay closer to the bottom, especially at night and may be more readily available to the typus.
It has been so long since I have had guppies I am not sure if they sink down at night.

Birger

[sidguppy]

they don't

Phyllonemus go up to catch them

few things lure them off the substrate, but feeders do

this is how I accidentically first bred mine. I had guppies as dithers and 1 day all the guppies were gone, even the large females
the cats bred within the week.....


about the Phyllonemus synodontis issue, that's mine.
they do fine with a moderate number of small or mediumsized Syno's (lucipinnis etc), but i did loose a few to foodcompetition when I moved them into a tank with 4 adult granulosus , Giant Petricola and 5 fully grown polli (the real ones).

they simply couldn't get to the food and there was way too much rowdy business going on

with a group of petricola or lucipinnis or multipunctatus they'll be fine; just don't add 10-15 or more synodontis.
that's where I screwed up.

[Phyllonemus]

I like to share a picture of my Phyllonemus tank

[DutchFry]

looks sufficient, i hope they will thrive and breed there!

did you manage to get a close up of one of the typus?

[Phyllonemus]

Dutchfry, I did'nt manage to take a close up from them.
I shall give it a try when I feed them.
A few times the same man with the same female are staying together for about 2 days.
This is happening repeatedly.
Ther are at least 6 holes for 4 fish in this tank.

Dutchfry, can I send you a PM ?

[DutchFry]

of course you can, just click on the PM button under my avatar, i will answer asap

[Phyllonemus]

As promised some pics of my Cat's
Pictures are taken during a feeding frenzy

[DutchFry]

nice pics!

it's difficult to take proper pics of catfish racing around, uh?

[Phyllonemus]

it's difficult to take proper pics of catfish racing around, uh?

Yess

[Richard B]

Gotta say these are real good lookin' phyllonemus - mine aint that good

[Phyllonemus]

Richard, these are Wildcaught Cats
What's wrong with yours ?

[Phyllonemus]

Here are 2 pics from my biggest male.

[Phyllonemus]

My first Phyllonemus are breeding for the first time
after being 4/5 month in my tank.

[Birger]

Excellent...your research and questions must have worked.

Birger

[Richard B]

Good news on the breeding - well done

Mine are lighter brown - & i just think yours look better

[Phyllonemus]

When I bought them from the LFS, they did'nt had a overall nice brown colour.
After a period of not eating for 4,5 weeks after introducing them in this tank, they began getting used on aquarium food, the colour, was getting better from that moment.

[Phyllonemus]

Last night I discovered one of my Phyllonemus is mouthbrooding .

[MatsP]

Last night I discovered one of my Phyllonemus is mouthbrooding .

That's great! Congratulations.

--
Mats

[Phyllonemus]

How long is the mouthbrooding period, before they will release the young ?