|
Post by barbara on Apr 19, 2009 14:05:41 GMT -5
A lot of people beat me...LOL It does take some work...today I'm going to try to get most of my tanks a water change. It should take about 5 hours to do them all, if I am persistant. It's worth it...mostly. I can't say that I enjoy every water change, but I do enjoy doing most of them, and the fish seem to, so that's what's important.
Once we move everything to one location, I think I could handle more tanks. But right now, I'm just flat out of room.
|
|
|
Post by jonv on Apr 19, 2009 23:38:27 GMT -5
Well to keep this on topic and not a tank race or post section which is a bit off topic and non constructive to talking about the subject....
Barb, in as far as I've seen, and I'll try to get a hold of Dr. Loiselle and narrow this down, but I can't think of a species of Madagascar cichlids that wouldn't do well in brackish conditions and basically at least a Malawi water chemistry. I also cannot think of any Madagascar mouth brooders either. If you get a book, please share that as I'd like to get a copy myself. I was looking over a book with Vin by Ad Konnings that was SO helpful I tell you.
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Apr 20, 2009 10:10:52 GMT -5
Nice pics once again Barbara! Carl beat you then. lol Once when he had more time in the aquarium business, he kept and maintained over a 100 fish tanks. I have no idea how he managed to do that. If I had 100 big tanks, I'd be working 24/7 to maintain them. lol He had quite an accomplishment, keeping that many. Not to change the coarse of this thread, I think Renee is referring to the Bahooka Restaurant where I had 100 aquariums (several over 200 gallons) in just this one location alone, I was there along with an employee 5-6 days per week. Carl
|
|
|
Post by barbara on Apr 25, 2009 18:50:36 GMT -5
It's so funny how fast fish learn. My Paretroplus maculatus were terrified when I first brought them home. They stayed in one little cluster, hiding in the rocks. Pictures were difficult. Now, they stay in one little clump, in the front of the tank, thinking I'm going to feed them whenever I walk by. I actually watched one of them flip himself (or herself) upside down to check out the underside of the filter intake.
|
|
|
Post by barbara on May 24, 2009 17:23:44 GMT -5
I'm going to be able to acquire my dream Mad...the Paretroplus kieneri! This is the one I've wanted badly, and I'm just thrilled that I'll be getting a group, probably this week.
|
|
|
Post by jonv on May 24, 2009 20:43:13 GMT -5
Sounds really good Barb and I'm interested to hear your information on this species. Until I can alter the lady's attitude on the hobbying, I'm going to have to get out of Madagascar's myself, because I clearly see, without a tank of their own, it puts too much pressure on other stock to keep a substrate spawner in with the mouthbrooders. I can only share this with you so far, but I have said it before. From the three spawns I got out of my Oligocanthus group, spawns appear to hatch within a few days of fertilization, and both parents are excellent in care unlike Mbuna. You should get a fairly large spawn, and growth in the first month appears to be equal to Mbuna, but then lags afterwards. I have no reason to suspect that all other substrate spawning types wouldn't follow this pattern.
I do have a handful just about size to donate, but I've decided Barb, I'm going to donate the parents with one extra female as well for the reason listed above. Next pay period after this one, I'll be ready to send my first group out, so I'm going to need specific instructions on what to do.
|
|
|
Post by barbara on May 26, 2009 10:46:02 GMT -5
What I do know on the Paretroplus kieneni is that they are smaller, 5 to 7 inches at full adult sizes, and less aggressive than a lot of the other Mad species. I don't have my group yet, but should be receiving them this week.
I rarely see these on order lists, and the last time I saw a group for sale was on AquaBid, where they went for over $300. My group will be younger than that, but I'm also getting a much better deal on them.
I might, and stress the might, be getting a 210 gallon tank. If that happens, I plan on getting a group of Paretroplus menarambo. A friend of mine just bred some, and I would love to have some fry. We'll have to see how that deal goes. The menarambo are quite aggressive fish, and get to at least 10 inches, so even my 125 is not suitable for them at adult sizes. I'm not sure if the 210 will be big enough, but I'd love to have these fish.
|
|
|
Post by jonv on May 26, 2009 12:13:29 GMT -5
I will continue to read and take input from NJAS (North Jersey Aquarium Society) on the subject of Madagascar fish, but until the time comes when the number and size of my tanks at home are no longer an issue, my pursuit of keeping any of these species are on hold. I have no problems adding in my observations of what I do know, and unless questions come up, I'm not going to be adding much more in this subject area for some time.
|
|