Arofanatics Fish Talk Forums - Breeding of Variabilichromis moorii

Well, this is not a very popular fish in the hobby i must say, even for Tanganyika cichlids fans. I first came across this species in the Ad Konings' Back To Nature and found that this is a rather intriguing, especially the body shape which resembles marine Damsel fish. It has a jet black body with white trimmings on all of its fins, except pectorals. The juveniles are yellow in colour, which is nice.

At that time, months after i restarted my Tanganyikan cichlids hobby which was in the late 2013, I looked back and realized that i have not seen this fish being imported locally, so i was wondering how on earth would i be able to get my hands on them.

As luck would have it, NKS aquarium texted me on some interesting import which he did not order. I quickly identified it as V. moorii, and i think a bunch of us got some the week after. I guess if it wasn't for the accidental import, this fish would never land in Singapore, haha. As time goes by, some of our stocks either died or jumped out of the tank, so in the end a couple of friends, Wildbear and gyjd passed me their fishes and consolidated them in a huge blue tub.

As i was feeding the turtle in the tub yesterday, i noticed some fry swimming and a pair of V. moorii sort of guarding the area, near a huge PVC pipe and huge brick like rock. The fact that the pair chased the other fishes and even the turtle confirmed that the fry were theirs. I suspect they bred in the pipe.

After that i scooped some fry home to monitor their development and leave some in the tub for the parents to protect. The fry are easy to raise eating on any microscopic stuff and pellets.

This is what happens underwater, enjoy.

YouTube Video

Thanks to bro Youngman for the underwater video.:)
NKS for bringing them in.
wildbear and gyjd for some of the breeding stocks.