Breeding Telmatochromis dhonti

Breeding Dhont's Telmatochromis (Telmatochromis dhonti): a Tanganyikan cave-brooder forming temporary pairs and laying up to 500 eggs, with the female tending the brood.

Overview

Telmatochromis dhonti is a slender bottom-dwelling Lamprologine endemic to Lake Tanganyika, reaching about 12 cm total length. According to FishBase it is a cave-brooder that forms temporary pair bonds and inhabits many types of rock substrate, even in very muddy water. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and appears in the aquarium trade.

Sexing

External sexing is difficult. As with related Lamprologines, males tend to reach a larger size, but reliable pairing is usually achieved by raising a group and allowing a bond to form naturally.

Conditioning

Maintain the hard, alkaline conditions of the lake. FishBase lists a pH range of 8.5-9.0, hardness of 10-15 dH and a temperature of 24-26 C for the species. A varied diet suited to its omnivorous, microorganism-based feeding supports spawning condition.

Breeding Setup

Provide a spacious aquarium with sand and abundant rockwork forming caves and crevices. Empty shells are also used facultatively, as the species occurs both in shell beds and on sand and rock; offering both shells and rock holes gives a bonded pair a defensible brood site.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Pairs are temporary and bond around a spawning site. The female lays the eggs within a cave or crevice, with FishBase reporting clutches of up to 500 eggs. Mature, stable lake-type water with a suitable brooding cavity is the principal trigger.

Egg & Fry Care

Care is divided between the parents: the female tends the eggs and offspring inside the cave while the male defends the surrounding territory. Once the fry are free swimming they can be offered small live and powdered foods appropriate to their size.

Common Challenges

Because the pair bond is temporary, the male may become intolerant of the female between broods, so a large tank with visual barriers reduces aggression. Free-swimming fry in a community can be predated, so monitor the brood closely.