Rusty Cichlid Care and Breeding: A Mellow Mbuna Cichlid!

Hello Everyone,
In this video we take a closer look at the Rusty Cichlid (Iodotropheus sprengerae). We talk about how to care for this wonderful fish and how to breed it.
Looking for tankmates for Rusty Cichlids? Check out these species profiles!
Pseudotropheus acei: • Pseudotropheus acei Ca...
Metriaclima estherae (Red Zebra): • Red Zebra Cichlid Bree...
Pseudotropheus saulosi: • Pseudotropheus saulosi...
Here's how to setup an mbuna tank: • How to Set Up an Mbuna...
Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimea...
For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics
We would like to thank our channel sponsors for 2020: Flip Aquatics and Fritz Aquatics. For 2020 our fish are being fed Northfin Foods from flipaquatics.com! They help make what we do here possible and are worth checking out!
Thanks for watching!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Looking for tankmates for Rusty Cichlids? Check out these species profiles! Pseudotropheus acei: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2LIaJJmrtF7rNk Metriaclima estherae (Red Zebra): kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKrWn2tnqt-artk Pseudotropheus saulosi: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKiTYaR7hZdmi7c Here's how to setup an mbuna tank: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoiXXqmppaZoiLc Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics

[@MrLoaded21]

Hey guys! Loving the rusty cichlid going to make them my next tank mates, anyway we can get an update video on these guys?? Would love to see the new rock work

[@Noel-k4e]

Kept mine along with yellow labs,both groups went into together when juveniles and never really had any problems.Six years on and still few left of each group and still together.

[@joshszooofanimals5416]

Awesome video and information 😎👍🏻 I’ve seen a group of them at a Petco but didn’t know much about them lol, now that I got information about them I might go get a few 😂

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

They are cool!

[@rebeccaseeley9053]

I've watched this video a number of times and really appreciated all the info! I've had a Rusty colony for a couple years now and finally got them from a four foot 65 into the six foot 125 and they are really loving it. I took your advice and went with lighter sand in the 125 and I am seeing more purple. They are beautiful no matter what, though. Thanks!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That is so awesome!

[@FishTankBarn]

Beautiful fish PrimeTime! Great fish and information.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

The Fish Tank Barn thanks man!

[@FishTankBarn]

Prime Time Aquatics your welcome

[@greyloveralways]

great looking colony, thanks for the video

[@philipramsden4975]

I had an amazing rusty about 10 years ago. He was the alpha in my tank and had this really nice purplish color along with the rust color. Really making me want to get another one, but they aren't very common around me

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

So cool!

[@SarahsPets2004]

I got mine from quins fins super nice

[@scotp6362]

Questions about the sponge filters in this tank: How did you get the algae to grow on the sponge filters? Once they get like that do you (how do you) clean them? Does the algae help process the waste? If so, does it do it better or worse? I have seen this at my local fish store and think it actually looks really nice, like a giant moss ball, but wondered how it happened and how effective it would be. Perhaps this could be a video topic.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Mine just kind of do that. Haha. In theory it would help process nitrates, but I don't think it does so at a noticeable level. I clean them all the same - nothing seems to happen to the algae.

[@beatap6250]

Very nice 😆😉🙋

[@jackstraw1756]

Would love to see how this turned out? Do y’all still have a Rusty only tank

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

We moved them to a 75 gallon with Pseudotropheus saulosi and that has worked out well.

[@jackstraw1756]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics you mentioned how a lighter substrate would bring out the lavender in their colors. I have a 40 breeder and want to do either a Rusty colony or possibly add another more peaceful mbuna that would also benefit color wise to a light substrate. I have to admit more I see of Rusties, the more I love them. Great channel and I really enjoy the content and education y’all provide.

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

amazing mbuna

[@74mouseman]

Do you feel that locally raised (Chicago area) yellow labs and/or rustys can be housed with giant danios or 5 inch blood parrots? I'm thinking about water parameters. 55 gallon tank

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

The danios usually aren’t a problem. The parrot cichlid could be an issue?

[@poopyturbo]

I keep mine with a fire eel and 3 different types of gourami and an dwarf African frog and a few clown loache in a planted aquascap tank and he is super happy in all levels of the tank from top to bottom

[@SarahsPets2004]

Mine are pretty aggressive tbh even dominating my Auratus cic

[@pricklymagoo1293]

Hey Jason i got a holding rusty female. Can i put her in a 40b and let her spit the fry so i dont have to keep moving the fry to bigger tanks as they grow or does it have to be a 10g then move them up as they grow?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

The 40 works just fine.

[@cihangiraltner5259]

hi "white princess" and "acei" would it be compatible?

[@distortedfox6561]

Could I put these in with neolamprologus lelupie

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Possibly but I’d want at least a 40 breeder.

[@distortedfox6561]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics thanks so much for answering and yes it is a 40 breeder just don’t want any issues as I do not have a free backup tank

[@shanek8126]

Just bought a colony of 10, were hard to get hold of in Australia

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Hope you enjoy them!

[@MotörheadMickey]

Black bottom. Niiice.... Stay classy San Diego 😁

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

When in Rome....haha

[@sharronmiller451]

Really pretty!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I think so. : -)

[@jojiepeczon02]

What substrate did you use here? Is it a blasting abrasive/sand?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I believe this tank had top fin sand?

[@aarongonzalez4458]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics I have a fish that has the same shape and appearance as this fish but is black in color with a little bit of yellow around the tail. Do you happen to know what kind of fish it is? I've been looking in the internet and cant find it.

[@joeyblankenburgh9545]

Heeee, i have bougt also a 33gallon long and want also Malawi cichlids. But what is the best option ? I want multiple spiecis

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

A rusty cichlid/Pseudotropheus saulosi combo might look nice.

[@cichlidguru1163]

I like rusty mbuna . way back I find out about this from KG tropical . great video sir as always

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@jameswhitejr5291]

What type of plant is that floating in the tank?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I usually have hornwort in most of my tanks. Mbuna will eat it though. :-)

[@andreashessler838]

Could you keep these with other small cichlids like HRBs, convicts and kribs in a community?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I would try to keep african cichlids and south american cichlids separate for the most part.

[@fantom5894]

Cynolebias would be ok tankmates

[@Rick-fs9wc]

No luck for me with peacocks. Rusty Killed my best ones.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That stinks!

[@medwardbell]

Nice to see a profile of a more non aggressive cichlid

[@aquaticbeast1621]

WOW!! I have to get me some of those, I'm hooked!! DAM I love this hobby great stuff "Prime"!

[@AnthonysFishyFriends]

My rusty is one of my favorites. Good video

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Anthony's Fishy Friends thank you!

[@bagariusyarrelli7142]

Two were sold to me as "Rainbow Ciclids". Two quickly multiplied into 24 to my surprise and delight. Original male has 5 (eggs) spots on anal fin. They don't bother the few other tank dwellers and are enthusiastic eaters. Currently in 37 gal tank but I intend to upgrade. Great smallish ciclid ,hearty fish. Easy care. Good vid ;-{)

[@darrylmoore5847]

Absolutely beautiful fish. Thank you for the great information.

[@KaveManAquatics]

Great video, can’t wait to get into breeding myself!

[@PalJoey-on1yi]

I kept mine peacefully with auratus, zebras, peacocks, and labidochromis. See my comment on a breeding conformation rockwork landscape within a community mbuna tank in "Fish Room Tour 2020: Part 6 - 33 Gallon Long" from 2/5/20. P.S. I prefer the dark background for the Rusty because their bodies will appear richer, whereas the light backgrounds wash them out.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I had with white sand and black background and liked that combo a lot!

[@danielbarrett6026]

Nice video! I was told they were very peaceful. I am sure that most are. However, all fish are not created equal. I think I had the exception. My rusty terrorized the tank chasing others without letting up, even chasing them into and around their hiding spots, nipping fins, and biting the sides of other fish. I finally rehomed him. It was too bad since It was a very nice fish. My remaining rusties are relatively peaceful. 😀

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Daniel Barrett It’s always so crazy how some fish can be so mean while others seem to chill out!

[@Flavio18376]

Hallo Jason! Do you use this sponge filtration because, dont suck or hurts the babys ??

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That is true - the fry will not be hurt by sponge filters.

[@ranjeetsingh-kl2vp]

👌👌👌

[@cyruslopez5765]

Hey, I have a 40 gallon, how much of the rustys can I have in a 40 and how much saulosi in a separate tank (40)

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I would start with a couple males and 4-6 females?

[@brooklyneasternstandard6124]

What kind of substrate is in your tank and is it magnetic? Great informative profile content!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I believe that was just whatever Petsmart was selling at the time?

[@melaniebaumeister7886]

can pseudotropheus elongatus chewere be house with rusty cichlids?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I had rustys and elongatus together in my 75 gallon. It worked in that tank with the over-crowding.

[@markhunter2244]

A very nice looking Cichlid 🤓

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Mark Hunter I agree! 😀

[@MrAndradejm12]

Hi Jason. I know this video is over 4 years old, but what would you recommend for a colony in a 55? I am moving to a location that has hard water and would love to have these guys! Tha ks so much for all the great content you create!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You could certainly do two males and 5-6 females?

[@MrAndradejm12]

@PrimeTimeAquatics if I wanted to add pseudotropheus saulosi would that be to many fish for the tank. Same amount as rustys, say 2 males 5-6 female?

[@adeelshaikh2129]

Beautiful color fish

[@countryboycharlie9793]

Looks like a peacock 👍

[@jamesgreen9372]

Thanks for introducing me to a new fish. I also appreciated the information on plants for this Cichlid. Jim

[@suegracey3893]

I must have the only 2 rustys that are aggressive 😂 I am only guessing that 1 is female and the other male and I understand about their mating ritual but 1 is super aggressive so my question is I have a mbuna tank with 3 other females in there but who do I keep male or female (at this point I have put one in a quarantine tank

[@stacieel1668]

I've just managed to find these and they are in my tank now cant wait for their colour to come through they are my favourites

[@litoloco4fish]

Those are some beautiful fish brother. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👊🏼 very beautiful color

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Lito Loco 4 Fish thank you! They look even better on white sand!

[@smile1234happy]

Hi Jason could you mixed them shell dwellers?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I generally don’t mix shell dwellers together to limit the potential for hybridization.

[@smile1234happy]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you jason for replying what would be a good dither fish for shellies

[@ericgebara6359]

Can You Help me Find A Place To purchase a t bar cichlid

[@trancealot]

Love the color of the rusty's

[@caewalker9276]

They're really pretty.

[@Pyro_Who]

Are these fish good for beginners and how many gallons per fish because I might be getting a 50 gallon or 75 gallon tank

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If set up correctly they can be ok. They are more aggressive than community fish, but if you had a large colony of these in a 75 gallon (fully cycled 75 gallon) they usually work out well. Maybe 20 juveniles in a 75 gallon with a couple bristlenose plecos could work.

[@anthonyragan2696]

I'm not a great fan of African cichlids, but these are really pretty. What max size do they reach?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

They top out at around 4". Really cool fish!

[@RCortez1986]

is a 10 gallon too small to put a single 3" holding pundamilia cichlid temporarily until the fry are spit out?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Not at all - I use 10 gallon tanks for that purpose all the time!

[@jenniferlong5957]

I had a mild mbuna tank and they still got beat up, I really loved them, I hated to have to re-home them.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It's always hard when it doesn't work out. I have the best luck in either species only tanks of 40 gallons or mixed tanks 75 gallons or greater.

[@kimbassett2770]

Nice looking setup. Beautiful active tank.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Kim Bassett thank you! Love these fish!

[@masongt6546]

Can I put them with guppies?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Probably not - these guys would most likely bully them.

[@masongt6546]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics wow a KZbinr with over 100k subs actually responded! You sir just got a new subscriber 🤘🤘

[@ironwolph]

Well now i need some of these since my name is Rusty. Are they shifting the gravel, so gravel size will matter?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Sounds like a good match. :-) Ya, sand is the best for these guys. They will dig a little.

[@ironwolph]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics Awesome thanks for the information, looks like i found the fish for my new 2nd tank.