Anyone ever keep Buffalo Heads?

JMLenke · Post by **JMLenke** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:48 am

Hi all,

Got an opportunity to pick up a fish I have always been somewhat interested in, Buffalo Head Cichlids.

Anyone ever keep them or have any experience with them?

RTRJR · Post by **RTRJR** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:32 am

I kept two tanks of them for quite a while. Both 33XL, massive current, rock clumps with PVC pipe caves, some "open areas" in the lee of some of the rock clumps where fry could be brought out. Really cool fish. They were my whitewater tanks. Fascinating fish, easy to keep/breed/rear (except for catching the fry).

Spine · Post by **Spine** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:54 pm

RTRJR wrote:I kept two tanks of them for quite a while. Both 33XL, massive current, rock clumps with PVC pipe caves, some "open areas" in the lee of some of the rock clumps where fry could be brought out. Really cool fish. They were my whitewater tanks. Fascinating fish, easy to keep/breed/rear (except for catching the fry).

One other thing to remember, they do get pretty big my male was about 5inches. From what I've read they also choose a mate for life. I tend to agree with this because after losing my male I can't get my female matched up with another male I've tried several but no luck. If you plan on breeding them I would get at least 6-8 juvies and let them pair off by themselves.

RTRJR · Post by **RTRJR** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:09 pm

I had 6 juveniles in a 40-long for grow up and hopefully pairing while i set their tank. I go two pairs, so had to quick-set another (but the second was easier.

). Traded the two left-over back to the LFS, along with occasional fry/juveniles. Both pairs were still going when i traded them off several years later.

I do agree that they are not small fish. The 33XL is certainly the smallest tank I would suggest for a pair.

JMLenke · Post by **JMLenke** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:17 am

you think that a 40Br would work for a pair or two?

Spine · Post by **Spine** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:00 am

JMLenke wrote:you think that a 40Br would work for a pair or two?

Yes,
That will be fine

JMLenke · Post by **JMLenke** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:03 pm

good that was the plan all along, I was hoping I wouldnt bork it..

RTRJR · Post by **RTRJR** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:57 am

They are not small, and while not mbuna, are quite territorial. I'd keep a single pair, not two, in a 40BR. That is only 4.5 square feet, a trivial difference from a 40-long or 33XL in footprint..

JMLenke · Post by **JMLenke** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:09 am

With the current plan, I will have 4 40 br and 1 50 br for them to pair up and off in. I just need to figure out how to build the stand so that it is strong enough to handle the weight.

Currently in the 50br I have a small group of them, they are all juveniles and all the same spawn so I am hesitant to even worry about them pairing off until I get some different stock as well.

They are a cool fish, I keep seeing them popping out of the rockwork and propping up on some of the sturdier plants.

Anyone ever keep Buffalo Heads?

Anyone ever keep Buffalo Heads?

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