Featherfins

[DiscusnAfricans]

So most Africans I keep are Malawi, but there are a FEW Tangs that interest me. I've always been curious about featherfins, but never really knew much about them. There were quite a few available at the ECC auction, which started to peak my interest again.

My Mpimbwe gibbs are starting to outgrow the 90g growout they're in, and I don't have the 6' foot tank I was hoping to have and it may not be available any time soon. I'm thinking about selling or trading them to get some featherfins or tropheus. I'm starting to read the books and do the online research, but I figure I'd get opinions from people I trust.

It seems there are at least 3 different genus (Callochromis, Ophthalmotilapia, Cyathopharynx) of fish that comprise the group known as featherfins. Most seem to have a very similar body shape and size, as well as diet and habitat conditions. What makes the groups different? Are some easier to keep than others? What are suitable tankmates?

Anyone keep them before and not like them? I'm just trying to weigh my options before jumping into something. These guys are relatively peaceful, aren't they?

Thanks for any and all advice.

 

[Jumbie]

I was in your position a while back Mike and I jumped in to featerfins headfirst lol. I paid more than an arm and a leg for a group of Cyathopharynx Foae from Kampampa Congo (Dave’s Rare Fish needless to say lol). They were really nice fish took a long time for them to show there beautiful display. The best info/help that I got was from are very own.... Sarah lol. Good luck bro.

 

[longstocking]

First, Callochromis are not feather fins.... they are sand sifters

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/category.php?cat=8

Now, the above link isn't really accurate either :lol: Benthochromis is not really a feather fin.


Feather Fins :

Aulonocranus dewindti
Cyathopharynx foai
Cyathopharynx furcifer
Ophthalmotilapia boops
Ophthalmotilapia nasuta
Ophthalmotilapia ventralis

Some are peaceful some are not so ...

If you want the iridescent coloration that you see in pics go for the Foai or Furcifer.

The Ophthalmotilapia are typically quite a bit more aggressive.

Always shoot for two males in the tank as they will show off better for you.

Tank mates.... Paracyps or Cyps. are your best choices. 4 foot min on any of these fish... 6 foot prefered. I'd start with a group of at least 8 young ones and grow them up in your 4 footer and you will get better results. Adults you might have problems since you are using a 4 footer.

 

[Charlutz]

IME, you should not do cyathopharynx as your first featherfin, and not in a 4 footer. They are a little more fragile than the opthalmos in my experience. Likewise I wouldn't do boops in a four footer. They are psychotic aggressive. A group of ventralis would be the place to start and as Sarah said, tankmates would best be cyps or paracyps. Lamps would nip off the ventral lappets. Shellies might work if they were confined to an area. As long as you don't give the featherfins protein too often and give them open space and sand, they are reasonable to keep.

 

[DiscusnAfricans]

First, Callochromis are not feather fins.... they are sand sifters

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/category.php?cat=8

Now, the above link isn't really accurate either :lol: Benthochromis is not really a feather fin.

Thanks Sarah, I trust your opinion over a book any day. I'm still a Tang novice trying to get my feet wet without falling in.

Thanks for the advice Charlie. Thats the kind of stuff that is invaluable to someone who doesn't know any better.

Featherfins are great looking and it sounds like with the right conditions they aren't too bad to keep. I think I still may be trying to tackle more than I need to, but I'll have to figure that out for myself. I may still go with tropheus if I decide to change my whole setup, but I'm trying to get all the advice I can so I don't make a hasty choice.

 

[longstocking]

OOps I forgot the first feather fin I kept...

Cunningtonia longiventralis

Not that great looking but I never got them to spawn.

Feather Fins aren't that hard to keep.... just keep the water clean and stable and you should get young.

 

[cmcpart0422]

You should get some Tropheus they are awesome.

 

[RIFT_LAKES_RULE]

I'm thinkin after Saturday's meeting that 90 will be full of Troph's, and imo it's a better sized tank for the trophs than the featherfins. I'm still waiting to get a 6 footer so I can get some boops.

Whichever you decide, you're gonna love em... win win situation