Mystery Pseudochromis Construction Project

violaceous · 08/05/2006, 11:27 AM

I introduced a small mystery psuedochromis into my 25g tank about a month ago and he/she has suddenly decided that all of the sand/gravel in the front corner needs to be moved.

I call it a mystery because I have been unable to find anything online for correct id. Color is like a Florida sunset (pink, purple, orange) with a dark burgandy tail and yellow rimmed eyes. Gorgeous little fish about 1 3/4" long. Not overly aggressive and somewhat timid. He spends most of its time darting between the rocks.

Tankmates are: 1 Oscellaris clown and a Midnight Angel. Also a BTA, softies (colts, mushrooms, and anthelia). Inverts: peppermint shrimp, snails, small hermits.

Anyway, he is spending all of his time now picking up gravel one piece at a time and swimming a short distance to spit it out and go back for another. Is this some sort of spawning behavior? Is it a territory marker? Just curious because all of the other fish swim up at look at the hole like 'What ARE you doing?' It doesnt seem to bother him when they swim up - he doesnt chase them at all - its almost like a special project or something. Maybe hes trying to dig a hole to China...

Anyone had a pseudo with similar behavior? I just read that often the males will guard the eggs on the ground during spawning times. Maybe thats what he's up to?

FishF00d · 08/05/2006, 01:51 PM

I have one of them. He never comes out from the rocks but has killed one hi-fin goby and has been trying to kill another one. If I could I would catch it and take it out but that is nearly impossible in a 135.

JER-Z · 08/05/2006, 02:35 PM

hard to tell from the pic...but he kind of looks like my pseudochromis elongatus...

here is a pic for comparison...
http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/pse...pseudochromis/

so far mine has shown no aggression and hasn't moved any sand...

Ironsheikh · 08/05/2006, 03:16 PM

thats the one --I instantly thought the heads are the same

violaceous · 08/05/2006, 07:07 PM

Yes, thats him exactly! Thank you for the id.

He wasn't doing anything of the sort until I added a little of the white gravel to the tank. I was having trouble seeing the Midnight Angel with the black sand. A few days after I did that he started up this digging habit... Pretty hilarious to watch really. Its a very tedious project to be sure but he's making good progress.

Hes made it down to the glass bottom now and continues to redecorate. lol

08/05/2006, 11:27 AM	#1
violaceous Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: St. Louis (loft district) Posts: 115	Mystery Pseudochromis Construction Project I introduced a small mystery psuedochromis into my 25g tank about a month ago and he/she has suddenly decided that all of the sand/gravel in the front corner needs to be moved. I call it a mystery because I have been unable to find anything online for correct id. Color is like a Florida sunset (pink, purple, orange) with a dark burgandy tail and yellow rimmed eyes. Gorgeous little fish about 1 3/4" long. Not overly aggressive and somewhat timid. He spends most of its time darting between the rocks. Tankmates are: 1 Oscellaris clown and a Midnight Angel. Also a BTA, softies (colts, mushrooms, and anthelia). Inverts: peppermint shrimp, snails, small hermits. Anyway, he is spending all of his time now picking up gravel one piece at a time and swimming a short distance to spit it out and go back for another. Is this some sort of spawning behavior? Is it a territory marker? Just curious because all of the other fish swim up at look at the hole like 'What ARE you doing?' It doesnt seem to bother him when they swim up - he doesnt chase them at all - its almost like a special project or something. Maybe hes trying to dig a hole to China... Anyone had a pseudo with similar behavior? I just read that often the males will guard the eggs on the ground during spawning times. Maybe thats what he's up to?

08/05/2006, 03:16 PM	#4
Ironsheikh Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: SYRACUSE NY Posts: 1,124	thats the one --I instantly thought the heads are the same __________________ You have been weighed... You have been measured... YOU have been found wanting! Current Tank Info: 20G fowlr some zoas

08/05/2006, 01:51 PM	#2
FishF00d Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Mobile, AL Posts: 1,406	I have one of them. He never comes out from the rocks but has killed one hi-fin goby and has been trying to kill another one. If I could I would catch it and take it out but that is nearly impossible in a 135.

08/05/2006, 02:35 PM	#3
JER-Z Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 877	hard to tell from the pic...but he kind of looks like my pseudochromis elongatus... here is a pic for comparison... http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/pse...pseudochromis/ so far mine has shown no aggression and hasn't moved any sand...

08/05/2006, 07:07 PM	#5
violaceous Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: St. Louis (loft district) Posts: 115	Yes, thats him exactly! Thank you for the id. He wasn't doing anything of the sort until I added a little of the white gravel to the tank. I was having trouble seeing the Midnight Angel with the black sand. A few days after I did that he started up this digging habit... Pretty hilarious to watch really. Its a very tedious project to be sure but he's making good progress. Hes made it down to the glass bottom now and continues to redecorate. lol