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Post by barbara on Feb 8, 2009 8:32:21 GMT -5
Oh, and Kagome, that was not a stupid question. It was a legitimate one, and one that I'm glad to answer. You aren't into cichlids, and you are learning, and asking smart questions. I respect that. African cichlids are different than a lot of other species, in that aggression plays such a big role in housing species together, and add Victorians, which you aren't likely to see many of in your local LFS, and even on the internet there isn't a lot of information.
Education is key in keeping any type of fish. I've asked a lot of "stupid" questions in becoming interested in Victorians, and received a lot of patient answers. I can repay that favor by doing the same. I still ask questions, and look stuff up.
Wish me luck at the auction today! I hope to get something really cool and interesting, and I have heard rumors that some really rare stuff (things not found in the US) will be there today. My husband has OKed a fairly decent budget for the auction, because this only happens twice a year.
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Post by kagome on Feb 8, 2009 11:55:36 GMT -5
Thank you for answering my questions, Barbara! I guess it can be a little intimidating to ask someone who is so knowledgeable when you are a total newb at something. I know a lot about the South American cichlids and the loaches but when it comes to the Africans I know little to nothing but am very glad to learn more. In my area all the African cichlids are from Lake Malawi. Someday I would love to have some but right now there is not the room or money to set up a tank that big. My husband has always wanted an African tank. I feel bad that so many species of the Victorian cichlids have been lost due to in introduced species. Here in Florida we suffer from many introduced species that hurt native wildlife, agriculture and sometimes just make life a pain in the arse, like the fire ant. We wouldn't have such a problem with mosquitoes if several species of introduced fish didn't eat up all of our little native Mosquito Fish. I am so glad that you and other dedicated people are trying to preserve these species, it is such a worthwhile cause and you seem to really enjoy it. Good luck at the auction! I hope you get something really cool!!
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Post by Carl on Feb 8, 2009 12:33:03 GMT -5
Do not feel bad kagome, I too follow the Victorian threads to learn and I constantly "get lost" with the names; this is where using full names with pictures would help me much since I am very bad with names, yet I have photographic memory (which is where I often have to read many abstracts over and over to get it, yet give me picture with the information attached and it "clicks")
I have kept many African Cichlids over the years, but mostly Malawi, and Tanganyika (& Tilapia), so Victorians are mostly all new to me. Being shallow lake unlike Malawi, and Tanganyika plays some role as to the susceptibility of pollution as well I suspect.
Carl
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Post by jonv on Feb 8, 2009 12:40:48 GMT -5
The article off CF here very much supports the point that Barb made. I was reading this last night myself, to try to learn even more about this. Sometimes when you think you know enough, if you back track into subjects you feel strong in, you can always pick up another point or two you didn't get the first time. In this case, I didn't realize just how deep Tangyangika is. Damn near a mile down at it's deepest point. Also in this post, which I didn't know, "Even more astonishing is that it's believed that all of these different species evolved from a single progenitor: Astatotilapia nubile" cichlid-forum.com/articles/lakes_east_africa.phpThis however just might explain how my fish, Brenda's and Barb's of different species, do seem to have a similar look, the Hap type look. I read up again about Astatotilapia latifasciata, my Zebra Obliquedins, that the females given an extended level of care on the fry, upwards of 2 months and that some people will just leave the moms in with adults because of this. However, I am going to isolate mine just to be sure. cichlid-forum.com/articles/a_latifasciata.php
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Post by barbara on Feb 8, 2009 23:26:47 GMT -5
Please don't think I am all that knowledgeable. I am still learning, and learn more every day. I can answer some questions, but there will be a lot of things that I can't answer, and I'll freely admit that. I have researched the species that I keep, and compare notes with others who keep that species, to find new tricks. I go to any and all lectures in the area that I am able to attend, and mainly, just listen and ask questions. I'm glad to have been able to answer your questions, and will always strive to do so, and if I can't, I'll look for an answer.
Well, the auction was a blast!! I got...Yssichromis sp. "Blue tipped!!" Extinct in the wild, very very rare here, as a matter of fact I think I'm the second person in the US with them!! I have 4 tiny fry, and Greg Steeves told me he'd give me 2 more. I spent a lot for them, but I hope that it's worth it in the long run...that I can do the right thing by these fish. I also got some Platytaeniodus sp. "red tail shellers," what will eventually be a colony of 8. They are different sizes, so they are growing out separately. Also got some more P. Chromogynos, to hopefully add a few more females to my colony.
Got a few other things...Some Fryeri...Electric Blue Iceburg pair...the female was holding but she spit her eggs in the bag, hopefully I can save them by putting them in an isolation tank with the mommy.
Picked up a bunch of Bristlenose cats, some albino and some regular, for fry tanks. Also a pair of Synodontis Lucipinnis (dwarf catfish) and some other neat stuff.
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Post by jonv on Feb 8, 2009 23:45:34 GMT -5
Wow Barb, those Yssichromis must have made a dent in your finances if they are that rare! I'd love to see what these guy slook like after they acclimate a few days. I picked up a couple Fryeri females to go with the male I have last week, but so far, this guy hasn't shown too much interest in that.
Darn wish I'd been able to contact you about egg spillage. I am going to look over the DIY's on egg tumblers. Had I had one today I think I'd have been in luck. One of the holding Obliquedins just dumped her eggs in the bucket and net when I tried to isolate her. I put the eggs in the bucket with her, but she wouldn't touch them at all. I put some meth blue in the bucket while I called around, and reached Vinny. Vinny mentioned that if it's about 10 mins already out of the mom, they are pretty much gone. It didn't make much sense to me, but I don't know either if that's true or not, so I didn't think it would be right to question it.
If you know differently, I'd love to know for future reference should this occur again. The second female, she started to spit them in the net when I tried to move her, so I immediately let her back in the tank. She's still carrying a few. I'll try again in 10 days. The eggs were all medium dark brown looking, but no black spots in the middle yet nor any wigglers. I got four total females and 2 males, I'm sure I'll get more broods of these.
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Post by barbara on Feb 9, 2009 0:05:09 GMT -5
Oh, yeah, they were pricey, but worth it...I hope. I'm excited to have them. They really are that rare, and Greg was glad that they stayed in the area.
I don't know about the eggs...I don't know if they will live or not, but I'm giving them a chance with the mother. Worst thing that could happen is that I lose them, which is what I am expecting. I'll try to get some picture of some of the new stuff tomorrow, but...all I can say is except for the Iceburg, nothing is showing much color as of yet. He was gorgeous in the bag, and I just had to have him...and his lady. I'll see if I can get any more females for him.
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Post by kagome on Feb 9, 2009 1:10:43 GMT -5
Ooooooooooo!! New fishies, I am excited for you.
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Post by barbara on Feb 9, 2009 12:29:00 GMT -5
I am excited too. These fish I consider a great responsibility, because they are so rare. Extinct in the wild, and only one other person to my knowledge has them in the US. I'm hoping I can keep them well, and grow them into a small colony, and be able to distribute fry. That's the goal of all my endangered stuff, but these are the first thing I have kept that I feel a weight on my shoulders with. Not that I won't enjoy them, but...it's a new challenge.
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Post by Carl on Feb 9, 2009 13:23:21 GMT -5
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Post by barbara on Feb 9, 2009 14:04:33 GMT -5
Yes, that is the fish. Mine are still little, less than 1/2 inch. According to Greg, when I asked him about this species, he said he believed that they are extinct in the wild.
Pretty cool, huh? I'm really excited for the opportunity to work with these.
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Post by murdock6701 on Feb 9, 2009 20:44:58 GMT -5
oh my God Barbara! what an exquistively beautiful fish! you must feel blessed and honored! I am very happy for you - what a great find!
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Post by barbara on Feb 9, 2009 21:22:52 GMT -5
All that and more! Scared, thrilled, and intimidated. They are still young, and so much could go wrong. Greg really didn't want to let these babies go, but he also didn't want to have all the fry, because a tank crash would mean disaster.
I'll try to photo-document their progress, but at this point, they are little silver fish. They aren't shy, and already know to beg for food. I'm feeding them Hikari First Bites, and something called Cyclop-eeze, which is also a powder form. They are alone in a 10 gallon tank for now, and I plan to do twice weekly water changes on their tank.
They ate immediately upon release from their bag into the tank, and that's always a great sign.
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Post by murdock6701 on Feb 9, 2009 21:46:09 GMT -5
do you have gravel in the tank? I'd be scared sh!tless to vacuum!!!
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Post by barbara on Feb 9, 2009 22:03:44 GMT -5
No, they are in a bare bottom tank, easier to care for. Sponge filter, and they seem like healthy little babies. They really like food...LOL. I'm trying not to over feed them, but it's hard when they are so small.
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Post by murdock6701 on Feb 9, 2009 22:07:48 GMT -5
I've inly rasied live bearer fry but they have voracious appetites - mine never preferred the powder - pulverized flake they went nuts over - at about 4 weeks I try a few bits of frozen brine shrimp - sorry to ramble - I'm sure they will thrive in you care - PICS please!?
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Post by barbara on Feb 9, 2009 22:39:02 GMT -5
My husband will try to get some pictures, but they aren't much to look at right now, just little silver fry.
These guys ate crushed flake at their last feeding...so that's good too.
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Post by barbara on Feb 9, 2009 23:17:11 GMT -5
OK, I made a huge mistake with information. I was talking to Greg after the auction last night, and we were talking about several species. They were all Yssichromis species, and I got them confused. The Yssichromis sp. "Blue Tipped" that I got are not known to be extinct in the wild. Their future is far from secure, but they are not classified as extinct now. The Yssichromis piceatus is extinct. I do apologize for bad info...I try not to do that.
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Post by brenda on Feb 9, 2009 23:21:31 GMT -5
Regardless Barabra they are still VERY rare.
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Post by barbara on Feb 9, 2009 23:25:24 GMT -5
Yes, that is still true, I don't know if anyone else besides Greg Steeves has them. It's still a big deal...to me anyway. I just try not to give bad info, and I am willing to admit when I am wrong.
I've heard rumors that the Yssichromis piceatus might be available some time this year. I really want those!!!
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