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Post by corycatwoman on Feb 14, 2009 14:18:57 GMT -5
i just looked one of them online and yes i agree with you they are beautiful fish. the colors they have are amazing. i love how their colors are different in some of the fish! they truly are beautiful fish.
im glad to hear that you are working with experts on this fish. keep up the work with doing what you love!
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Post by eve on Feb 14, 2009 16:16:20 GMT -5
great pictures barbara, as always they're very beautiful once i have moved, and hopefully a bigger tank, i'm considering looking into victorians, but that's a bit away still as i don't know what size the tank will be
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Post by barbara on Feb 14, 2009 18:04:54 GMT -5
Eve, a 55, or even a 40 breeder would be plenty for a group, depending on what species you are looking into. The only mixed Victorian tank I have, my Kyoga Flamebacks and my Chromogynos, are in a 75 together for now. Everything else is in a 55 or smaller tank, depending on the sizes of the fish. The more aggressive the fish, the more you need to crowd them, but a bigger tank is also a good solution. I'm finding that my most crowded tank isn't breeding very well for me. I am not sure if it is because of the crowding situation, or because these fish are a little difficult to get to breed.
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Post by eve on Feb 14, 2009 18:10:53 GMT -5
well time will come where i will ask q's about it but not before i have the tank of course will make a new topic on it when time comes
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Post by goldenpuon on Feb 15, 2009 10:19:32 GMT -5
Excellent pictures! I love their coppery-yellowish color and their horizontal stripe. I wish I could see yours in person. Are these Kyoga Flamebacks friendly? I adore friendly fish and ones that nibble on fingers. lol
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Post by barbara on Feb 15, 2009 10:40:31 GMT -5
They are beggars for sure. They aren't really skittish, and tend to stay in plain sight. The dominant male has been sparring with the dominant male Chromogynos, and it's sure been a display. Every time I run for the camera to get pics of this, they stop and go back to normal coloration. I expect that I'll have fry from these guys fairly soon, at least I hope.
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Post by goldenpuon on Feb 15, 2009 17:55:49 GMT -5
That's cool Barbara. Just curious (as I have never jkept cihchlids) How do they spar? Do they flare out their gill covers and fins like bettas or do something else? Getting interested in these guys. lol
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Post by barbara on Feb 15, 2009 18:02:32 GMT -5
Even if you don't want to keep them, it's hard not to think they're pretty!
In sparring, that I've actually witnessed, they will put on their dominant coloration, flare their fins, and almost play "Chicken..."making runs at each other. I've not witnessed the lip locking in Victorians that I've seen in other Cichlids with these. I'll try to get some pictures of this...hopefully soon.
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Post by goldenpuon on Feb 15, 2009 19:27:36 GMT -5
They sound like really cool fish. I was adding a young male guppy that accidently landed in my female tank and his 1/2 brother was flaring and dancing in front of him trying to get him to breed through the plastic bag. He even looked like he was dancing to a rythm. XDD I wish I could have video taped it but I had a heap of work to do for my bettas at the time so I didn't get the chance. Thanks for sharing about Victorians. I'm enjoying talkng about fish antics.
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Post by barbara on Feb 19, 2009 18:51:35 GMT -5
I was checking out my 75 gallon, and something caught my eye. My holding female Chromogynos had released fry, and was defending them! We scrambled to catch them, and I think we got between 7-10 rescued and into an isolation tank. This is the first time we've had fry out of this species. We pulled the other holding female into her own isolation tank as well.
I also split up my colony of "Kyoga Flamebacks." I had 4 males and 8 females, and some of the females were a lot smaller, so I wanted to give them a chance to bulk up a little bit before being in the colony. I pulled the two smallest males as well.
I think I have a problem with what was my dominant male Neochromis. I think he's lost his title, and seems to be losing weight. I'm going to pull him from the colony tonight, and let him have some recovery time. I think he's been beat up a little, and just isn't himself.
I've started answering emails for the CARES program, and I have to say I love it! Getting a chance to talk to people about fish and helping them procure them is just an amazing job. I'm hoping to get working with AquaHaven soon.
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Post by jonv on Feb 19, 2009 19:14:13 GMT -5
In my limited time keeping Victorians Barb, and while the Zebra Obliquedins aren't true Vics, I feel female Vics are outstanding defenders of broods. The report on those Zebras indicated they will give care over broods for up to 2 months. The colors one often sees on the female Vics is usually more then the typical female Malawi's and Tangs too. I don't know for sure what it is, but I think the female Vics do a better job on broods then Malawi's and Tangs.
Either way, way to go on getting a spawn in Barb, and quick acting to isolate them. I've been considering Dayglows as well as this species you found that spit, but I think I'm trying to get too many at once. I'm enjoying watching these Fulu's grow out and seeing a male start coloring up as well as the Yellow Bellies too. The wife don't know it yet, but I'll be adding on some more tanks during the year ha ha.
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Post by barbara on Feb 19, 2009 19:37:29 GMT -5
Victorians are addicting! I'm now keeping 10 species, and am in dire need of more tanks! I'm watching for deals on 55's and 75's now, because I will need them in the near future. I'd like to stay with species tanks if I can, and I have one mixed tank now...my Chromogynos and my "Kyoga Flamebacks." I don't fear cross breeding from this mix, but I'd still just rather keep one species per tank. It's fine for now, but when the colonies grow up a little more, it will be overcrowded.
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Post by barbara on Feb 23, 2009 0:46:23 GMT -5
Success! I have a little "Kenya Gold" holding! She's 1.25 inches, if that. I always am surprised how small they can hold.
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Post by eve on Feb 23, 2009 1:03:45 GMT -5
that's awesome, hope we get to see some pics
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Post by goldenpuon on Feb 23, 2009 6:20:36 GMT -5
That's really cool. I am also looking forward to pictures. By the way, I figured out what was upw ith my camera, poor lighting. Put a T-2 light by the tank and the pictures and video i take ar much improved! I'll try to upload when I can. I had a nervous breakdown yesetrday from so much stress (I have a stress disorder). I will upload when I can and hopefully when I am not so stressed out.
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Post by brenda on Feb 26, 2009 23:26:07 GMT -5
Do you still have 2 of these babies holding?
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Post by barbara on Feb 28, 2009 9:15:31 GMT -5
Um, no, I now have 3!! Walt and I are very excited! There seems to be a demand for this species, and knowing that, this is just awesome! My colony still shows at 3 males and 9 females at this point, but I could have a few "sleeper" males.
I've learned my lesson about giving out my first batch of fry. I did that with my Neochromis Omnicaeruleus, and haven't been able to get another spawn that survived. I am planning on moving some fish around this weekend, to give the NO's a bigger tank. I'd love to split that group into 2 colonies, but I just don't have the tanks available for this at this point.
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Post by barbara on Apr 26, 2009 0:01:18 GMT -5
Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long since I updated this.
I'll go through tanks, since I've made major changes.
OK, the Xystichromis sp. "Kyoga Flamebacks" now are in a 75 gallon with Brenda's peacocks. This seems to be working well for the time being. The "Kyoga Flamebacks" aren't spawing yet, but I think this is just a matter of time. I lost a couple of these to the Columnaris I had.
Paralabidochromis sp. Fire: lost a couple of these, had my first successful spawn. Had to strip the female...must have had 25 fry! They were good sized. The mother, unfortunately, defended the fry too long, and I lost her. I'm going to cut back the size of this colony, to 2 males and 3 females, and move them to my 42 gallon corner tank. Since they aren't at risk, I'd like to use the 60 gallon for something more rare.
The "Kenya Golds:" awesome. I have rehomed my first set of fry, although it won't hit the breeder program until early next month. I needed the tank space, and they were big enough to go to a good home, which they got. I have another set that are tiny, and I'm thrilled about that.
The Neochromis Omnicaeruleus: Got their bigger tank. I found that the male I had wasn't dominant enough, so I added 2 more. Bingo! I'm still having problems getting the females to hold to completion, but at least they are holding.
Mbipia cf. Lutea: Have babies growing out. Made the mistake of being given a pair...male killed the female within 24 hours. I honestly knew better, and that was my mistake. I had hoped that I could grow out the babies before the evilness started, but I was wrong.
P. Salmons: nothing. Had one holding female, and she was killed really fast. I need to separate the colored male, and wait for the next in line to color, to find out my ratio. I think I have all males at this point.
125 Planted: doing great after being replanted and all fish back in it. Looking good. Just common species: Angels, tetras, cories, but it's pretty.
Paretroplus maculatus: Too cute. I love those little guys! Still small, and growing out with P. grandidieri.
P. "red tail sheller": in a 55 grow out. Doing fine, but still little.
Yssichromis sp. "blue tipped": Growing out, slowly.
Paralabidochromis chromogynos: gave away my adult colony. Have lots of babies growing out. I needed better numbers, as males were dying daily. Had 4 males, 2 females when they left...kept males, but will be giving them away.
Xystichromis phytophagus: gave away my adults. had a friend that needed females, and I had 1 male, 6 females, and overloaded on fry. Gave about 40 or so away, to various causes. Still have a bunch, maybe 50-75, plus the ones I'm growing out for my own smaller colony.
New additions:
Haplochromis sp. "ruby": a gift from a friend. Tiny, growing out in a 20L
Xystichromis sp. "Dayglow": another gift. Growing out in a 10 gallon, but they will be moving to a 20L. Of these 2 species, I'm only planning on keeping a couple, 2 males, 4 females.
125 cichlid tank: Doing great. I have found eventual new homes for my dolphins (sob). I love those fish, but my P. maculatus are going to need that tank, and if I can't get another 6 foot tank, I'll need that one.
Paratilipia sp. "Marolambo"; 90 gallon, doing great.
Oh yeah, another new one Astatotilapia aeneocolor: 6 in a 29 gallon. Breeding like crazy.
Whew! I have more tanks, but that's a start!
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Post by eve on Apr 26, 2009 0:07:13 GMT -5
holy crap how are you able to keep track of all of your fish??? and then with scientific names too???
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Post by barbara on Apr 26, 2009 0:10:40 GMT -5
holy crap how are you able to keep track of all of your fish??? and then with scientific names too??? Honestly, I try not to get anything I don't know anything about. When talking to Brenda in email, I'll just say my NO (Neochromis omnicaeruleus) or my "Dayglows" cause she knows what they are. I try to keep my posts informative, and spelled correctly, so if someone wanted to look one up, they can copy and paste them. It's important to me to know the scientific names...it's for most of them the only name they have.
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