|
Post by brenda on Feb 9, 2009 23:35:22 GMT -5
I still want this one....Prognathochromis perrieri . Oh, maybe someday my dream will come true!!!
|
|
|
Post by barbara on Feb 9, 2009 23:42:20 GMT -5
I've been keeping my eye out for those. There are quite a few species I'd like, that I may never see. I'll keep hoping tho.
|
|
|
Post by barbara on Feb 10, 2009 12:43:14 GMT -5
So interesting, all the cichlids I got from the auction are doing well, but most of the bristlenose plecos I got have died. I've heard that the bns are supposed to be quite hardy, but I have a tendency to kill them with regularity. I can keep Vics going pretty well...I wonder what I'm doing with these plecos that isn't right.
|
|
|
Post by jonv on Feb 10, 2009 13:27:10 GMT -5
Barb, for what it's worth, 8 mentioned to me last year when he had been breeding BN's that mixing them with my stock, he was worried they'd get killed or even eaten. I guess there's something about the BN's that cause issues with being kept with Africans? I've got a couple of clown plecos in my 100 gallon, but you hardly ever see them out and active.
|
|
|
Post by barbara on Feb 10, 2009 14:27:19 GMT -5
Jon, thanks, but they all went into fry tanks, where nothing was big enough to hurt them. They were baby bristlenose, but still bigger than the fry I put them with. Some people have problems with some fish...I have a friend that can't keep a yellow lab alive...and I think bns are my problem fish. I've lost a ton of them...some people say they keep them in fry tanks to help with any over feeding, but I'm not able to keep them alive.
|
|
|
Post by barbara on Feb 13, 2009 11:34:50 GMT -5
I talked to a few people, and what I've been told about the bristlenose is...they were bagged for at least 24 hours, and stressed. I tend to keep my fry tanks warmer than my regular tanks...around 80. Helps increase their metabolism, and they tend to eat better, and grow faster. This might have been too warm for the stressed bns.
On a different note, I wanted to let you all know that I've accepted a position with the ACA, one that is near and dear to my heart. I'm now the Introduction Coordinator for the CARES program. If you send an inquiry to the ACA about the CARES program, there is a good chance that it will be me guiding you.
Also, I've accepted a role helping with the AquaHavens project. This is a school in Maryland that has a program for endangered cichlids...education and caregiving. I'll be helping with that program, and the disbursal of fry from the main school to outreach schools.
I'm really excited to be a part of this. I decided to step up, and do something about a cause I feel is important.
|
|
|
Post by jonv on Feb 13, 2009 12:55:53 GMT -5
Very happy to hear that Barb, they picked a good person for this. Maybe you can give everyone a brief synopsis on what CARES is too. Best of luck with things and hope it works out well.
|
|
|
Post by barbara on Feb 13, 2009 13:19:12 GMT -5
Oh, OK, yes. CARES is an endangered species program, started by the ACA. The program is basically encouraging people around the world to set aside one tank for an at risk species, and to facilitate communication between those people. People are encouraged to list their species with the CARES program, and to distribute fry to other interested parties, that will also be caretakers of these fish.
CARES is about the long term. It isn't a "let's breed this fish and get something else" type of program. Long term maintenance of an endangered species is important, if some of these species are to exist at all.
AquaHavens is a school in Maryland that has started a program of teaching the kids about conservation. They keep tanks of endangered fish, and are responsible for maintaining these fish. The next generation of caretakers...so to speak. They are breeding some fish now, and there are becoming some other schools in an outreach program. Fry from AquaHaven will be disbursed to other schools, and other programs.
Pretty neat thing to be involved with.
|
|
|
Post by eve on Feb 13, 2009 15:01:34 GMT -5
that is absolutely awesome barbara, congrats on that
|
|
|
Post by babygeige on Feb 13, 2009 15:37:53 GMT -5
Congratulations! That is exciting! What will you do for the school in Maryland? Will you be mentoring over the internet or phone? You're in texas, right?
|
|
|
Post by barbara on Feb 13, 2009 17:14:05 GMT -5
Congratulations! That is exciting! What will you do for the school in Maryland? Will you be mentoring over the internet or phone? You're in texas, right? Yes, I am in San Antonio. My job will be to facilitate communication between the outreach schools and the AquaHavens facility. I'll also help with disbursal of fry to these outreach schools. Thanks a lot for your good wishes. I'm really excited, and scared, to be doing something like this. I've been complaining on another forum that no one wants to discuss anything positive, it's all negative. I decided to step up and do something about a cause I believe in. Hopefully, I can do good work for these programs.
|
|
|
Post by goldenpuon on Feb 13, 2009 18:22:27 GMT -5
You're working for a great cause Barbra! I'm glad that they have a program to save endangered fish. Congratulations on being a part of it! And don't worry, you'll do fine!
|
|
|
Post by brenda on Feb 13, 2009 19:22:15 GMT -5
Yeah, your going to be awesome!!!
|
|
|
Post by barbara on Feb 13, 2009 20:52:28 GMT -5
Thanks all. I'm really excited, and hopefully won't be overwhelmed. It's really a program I've gotten very involved in, and I'm now keeping...8 species that are endangered. 10 Victorian species total, so I wouldn't count on the other two staying off the list for long.
|
|
|
Post by brenda on Feb 13, 2009 21:06:41 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by barbara on Feb 14, 2009 2:14:32 GMT -5
One other little note...Greg Steeves decided that he wanted to split his colony of Yssichromis sp. "Blue tipped" with me...so he gave me 4 more fry. This brings my colony up to 8. They are doing well, although since I added the 4 today they are a bit more skittish. I was also able to buy some Xystichromis sp Kyoga Flamebacks. I took some from Dave's to try to help ID them properly. They don't color as well very crowded in a store tank. My dominant male colored almost immediately upon release into the tank. They have been identified as true Kyoga flamebacks, so I now have a colony of 13. I'd like to get the numbers right, and keep a colony of these beautiful fish. I actually like these better than the Xmas Fulus. They are a little calmer in temperament, and I feel they are just as beautiful. These fish are endangered. My ID photos...and this isn't at full color. This is his standard coloring.
|
|
|
Post by corycatwoman on Feb 14, 2009 11:43:13 GMT -5
he's pretty fish! great job!
|
|
|
Post by barbara on Feb 14, 2009 12:51:11 GMT -5
Thanks. These are one of my favorite Vic species, and I've had no luck thus far with them. I'm hoping this group will change my luck.
|
|
|
Post by corycatwoman on Feb 14, 2009 13:41:15 GMT -5
well i hope all goes well with you and your fav fish!
|
|
|
Post by barbara on Feb 14, 2009 13:48:43 GMT -5
Thanks again! I've been fortunate to be able to locate some of (in my opinion) the most beautiful fish in the hobby. Victorian cichlids are my passion, and I'm delighted to be working with some real experts in this field.
I'll try to take some pictures of this guy in his dominant coloration, he's just brilliant. The reds and greens are just amazing.
|
|