American Cichlid Association Forums - Blogs http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php en Thu, 17 May 2012 10:07:57 GMT vBulletin 1 http://www.cichlid.org/forums/images/cobalt/misc/rss.jpg American Cichlid Association Forums - Blogs http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php 2012 Spring and Summer projects http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=223 Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:45:58 GMT This is my out side project for the spring and summer 2012: About a year and a half ago I was given this plastic molded pond. It became a fixture... This is my out side project for the spring and summer 2012:

About a year and a half ago I was given this plastic molded pond. It became a fixture in the back yard.




The pond was free but had a crack in it, which is why it was free. I managed to fix it with Aquarium sealant and tested it for leaks before putting it in the ground. My Welsh corgi ( Carwyn ) pointing at the crack.



This is what the pond looks like now with water in it.









I used a power head with a filter on it too lift the water up to the water fall. Last Saturday the March the 17th, I went collecting along the Hillsborough River. I was looking to collect some mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) to go in it before the mosquito's take over!!



The Next pictures is something you might avoid if you collecting in Florida.




This is me with a net along the bank of the river. I caught a lot of Gambusia and some nice sailfin mollies. This was at a small park.








I still to need to work on it some more around the waterfall. I plan on adding aquatic plants to it, still undecided about what type of cichlids to put in it. ]]> DogFish http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=223 12 17 2011 spawns http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=222 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:29:35 GMT This is not a brag by any means, just trying to contain my amazement and good fortune, wishing to share and encourage everyone to keep doing what we... This is not a brag by any means, just trying to contain my amazement and good fortune, wishing to share and encourage everyone to keep doing what we are doing. Those involved in conservation efforts deserve a special encouragement IMHO.
My fish room has it's ups and downs, like everything in life and with living creatures most dramatically. Not everything is a success and if you have a large collection, death is an accepted reality each and every day. To offset that sadness, this week has been particularly rewarding and today has been a special day: fry were pulled from two peacocks, a frontosa, Lithochromis Xanopteryx and Stomatopia Mariae. This week's rewards have also included Tilapia Snyderae, Pytochochromis Oliganthus, Astatatilapia Latifasciata, Stomatopia Pindu, Kyoga Flamebacks, F1 Synspillum, F2 Melanurum from Rio Yaxha, Hemichromis Christatus, Amphilophus Saggitae and Pytochochromis Grandidieri. There were also a couple of spawns that were not retrieved due to space constraints. Nine of the fry species that were retrieved this week are in the C.A.R.E.S. conservation program, five were not.
The conversion from PVC spray rails to 1, 2 and 4 GPH drip heads in the fish room is over half complete. The old system was functional but inconsistent, a tank at the beginning of a row could have a 20 GPH replacement while the far end's tank might have only received 2 GPH. This new 10 PSI system controls the flow per the installed drip head's rating and will add a level of consistency to the fish room that has not been experienced before.
I've begun posting poor quality videos on youtube under my channel just to try to document what's here and to thwart the "if no pics, it didn't happen" doubt. Again, not a brag or a vie for attention, recognition or applause. Just a humble observation of God's bounty, wonder and discovery that blesses my collection.
This beats Christmas shopping with the lemmings!:cool: ]]> paddysdaddy http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=222 upload warning http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=221 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:00:02 GMT For a shockingly flagrant waste of bandwidth, see the pics below. This represents a bit over half of my collection of C.A.R.E.S. cichlid species. ... For a shockingly flagrant waste of bandwidth, see the pics below. This represents a bit over half of my collection of C.A.R.E.S. cichlid species. My laziness impedes taking pics of the rest but if you have a burning desire to see this or that, I will re-affirm my status as the worst photographer in the ACA and share more eye-straining pics of species in the fish room.
My old favorites like Frontosas (5 colonies now!), Theraps, Tilapians and Malawians are spared from this posting so the villiagers will not break out the pitchforks and torches.
I think the species names will appear if you single click on the pic, but what I know of web info will fit with room to spare on the head of a pin. If you have questions, please ask. If you have complaints, bring 'em and I'll offer what paltry excuses I can muster.
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]]> paddysdaddy http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=221 information frustration http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=220 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:06:44 GMT Particularly in my newbie days as a fishkeeper, I felt there was a wealth of information available from more experienced aquarists and that vein... Particularly in my newbie days as a fishkeeper, I felt there was a wealth of information available from more experienced aquarists and that vein continues today. Back then I was timid and wouldn't approach strangers with questions or observations and still am reluctant when it comes to the Paul V.s and Juans of our world. Being reluctant is a waste of time! When it comes to cichlids, ask early and often, if you contact someone and they don't reply back, move on and try again. In cichlids I have NEVER had someone tell me "How I keep or breed this species is a secret, go away". I was actually told this many years ago in the reptile world and told that more than once. In fact, I had to ply a fellow with his preferred alcohol once to get info on hatching iguana eggs; a few drinks in, he revealed his method for humidity management within the incubator and this led to a successful batch of lil greenies. He later said he regretted sharing this info. Pretty sad, IMHO. I am not "in business" with fish or reptiles any more and believe sharing info quickly results in greater satisfaction and a greater pool of animals available to us all. Nowhere is this more timely and crucial than with our at-risk fish! Ask and I'll share any and all info, observations and speculations, while the value of this info is questionable, you can take from it what you like and proceed in your own direction. Thus, we blunder and stumble our way into new territory. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. The "Thomas Edison" approach is my preference-he experimented tirelessly in his quest to build a light bulb and failed over 2,000 times with different versions. He plainly succeeded eventually and didn't quit. When asked about his failures, he said "I didn't fail, I developed over 2,000 methods how NOT to build a light bulb."
So if you have questions-ASK. If you have potential information-SHARE. Be bold, grow thick skin and jump in: do what your Momma told you not to do and talk to strangers-at least in the fish world.
And then, the part everyone forgets...SHARE info, backwards and forwards. Forget your inhibitions and peck out an article. Some club somewhere will be happy to consider it for their newsletter. Call other cichla-holics, approach them at fish stores, club functions and even conventions. When you have a statement or issue with some posting/blog/pic somewhere-ASK!
No lurking!
We don't bite. Our fish do. ]]> paddysdaddy http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=220 Nov 24 2011 C.A.R.E.S. update http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=219 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:39:34 GMT I've been very blessed in my quest for more C.A.R.E.S. species, specifically our dwindling friends from Victoria. Last evening's fish room fun included finding some viable fry from my murderous pair of Islantums! This is a huge victory as they've only had two spawns in the past 6 months and are in a completely divided 55-hardly conducive to the lovey-touchey-feeley intimacy that generates most of the world's baby creatures! Lovey-touchey-feeley for many cichlids is quickly followed by kissey-nippy-CHOMP and these contentious beauties are eager to proceed on this bloody path. Fingers crossed and methylene blue in hand. Time will tell whether they will swim or fungus into nothingness.
This list is published so that anyone may contact me regarding these species and if you desire fry or have other C.A.R.E.S. species to trade/sell/rent, message me right away!
Amphilophus lyonsi

Archocentrus myrnae

Archocentrus Nanoluteus

Astatotilapia aeneocolor “Lake Albert Yellow Belly”

Astatotilapia latifasciata Lake Kyoga Zebra

Benitochromis nigrodorsalis

Cichlasoma istlanum
Enigmatochromis lucanusi AKA Blue fire fin

Haplochromis obliquidens

Haplochromis sp. 'Kenya gold'

Haplochromis sp. 'ruby' ALSO HAVE ALBINOS

Harpagochromis sp “Golden Duck"

Konia eisentrauti

Lipochromis sp. 'Matumbi hunter'
Lithochromis xanthopteryx

Mbipia lutea
Neochromis greenwoodi

Neochromis Rufocaudilis

Paralabidochromis chromogynos
Paralabidochromis sauvagei

Paralabidochromis sp. 'red fin piebald'
Paratilapia polleni
Paretroplus dambabe

Paretroplus kieneri

Paretroplus maculatus

Paretroplus menarambo

Platytaeniodus “Red Tail Sheller"

Posammochromis Riponianus

Ptychochromis grandidieri

Ptychochromis oligacanthus

Pundamilia “Blue Bar”

Pundamilia igneopinnis

Pundamilia nyererei

Pundamilia Pundamilia

Pytochomis sp “Salmon”

Stomatepia mariae*

Stomatepia pindu

Tilapia bythobathes

Tilapia Snyderae

Xystichromis Phytophagus

Xystichromis sp. 'day glow'
Xystichromis sp. 'Kyoga flameback'

Hap sp 44

Hap sp 35

Hap sp Red Flanks

Paralabochromis “Fire” Uganda

hap “Blue Obliquidens”
Hap. Sp “Blue Bar”
Hap sp Piebald “Flourescent Pink”
P Nyereri sp “Ruti Island”
Paralabidochromis Sauvergii “MKOBE”
Mbipia Lutea “MKOBE” ]]> paddysdaddy http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=219 Masi Swap Meet http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=218 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:26:21 GMT Hello everyone, I just wanted you all to know that the Missouri Aquarium soceity will be hosting a swap meet on October 2nd from noon to 3pm at the... Hello everyone, I just wanted you all to know that the Missouri Aquarium soceity
will be hosting a swap meet on October 2nd from noon to 3pm at the Gardenville
Masonic Hall, 8230 Gravois Road,
Affton, MO 63123

You are welcome to get a table if you have things to sell,full tables $20 and
half table $10. If you want to come up and enjoy a day with fishheads you can do
that too!

if you need any info please email me the swap chairman at jamdwalk at msn.com

thanks
Derek Walker

also if you want to find out more info on the club join our forum,
this is the link to the swap meet.
http://www.missouriaquariumsociety.com/FishHeads_Forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7 22 ]]> derekw http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=218 Koi update http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=217 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 22:08:42 GMT Last fall, I bought several breeder sized koi, overwintered them in water troughs for livestock using large air-driven sponge filters for life... Last fall, I bought several breeder sized koi, overwintered them in water troughs for livestock using large air-driven sponge filters for life support. Moved many of them to the dirt ponds where they'd hopefully spawn, but retained 2.1 of the best ones to a 250 gallon tub n the fishroom where if disaster struck outdoors, at least there would be a reverse trio of breeders.
One of the 250G tubs has been a problem in that it had quite a bit of yeast remaining from the previous owner and is not easily cleaned out. I'd siphon water from other tubs and tanks, then in turn siphon it out and suck up as much of the gunk as possible. So this disgusting tub has had 10+ 95% water cnhanges, including water from the tub with koi. Last night I saw several small fish swimming around, yellow in color and said "&$&@ those Yellow Labidochromis, they breed so well their fry travel through air to other tanks. Rather than salt them to sleep, I hoped they were Kenya Golds that had jumped from a tank above the tub. Caught them and saw NO cichlid features and from above, even some KOI patterning. Magnifying glass showed whiskers on the largest one. Wonder how many were in there before the mega-water change regimen?
Got motivated and seined the dirt ponds today to examine the breeders. Instead, brought up quite a few more baby Koi, from 2" down to small enough for the 1/8" net mesh to allow escape.
So, having done nothing correctly, not even feeding the adults regularly, providing no attention or effort expended: KOI. Like keeping some cichlids, the best results come from much less attention or perhaps no attention whatsoever. ]]> paddysdaddy http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=217 C.A.R.E.S. listing as of 4 27 2011 http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=216 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:17:29 GMT This is a current listing of C.A.R.E.S. cichlids maintained. Current focus is on Lake Victorians but I pray that the Americas' dwindling populations of cichlids come into focus VERY soon. Going into habitat, political and weather changes would be a droll debate, the fact that our world's environment is less hospitable for cichlids every day cannot be debated.
I've kept cichlids for 25+ years and I carried the torch for the Victorian plight in the early 90's, importing then selling these fish at cost in my retail store, pleading with friends and strangers alike to help save these fish and speaking at our local aquarium society. A couple of these species are now GONE FOR GOOD. Sure, I take responsibility for some of this loss but life's choices are fleeting opportunities and we must now focus upon what is currently possible. Estimates are that Victoria's cichlid population was ~600 species when originally catalogued in the 60's, this number is now ~200. Yet we only have ~60 on the "at risk" lists? This is a problem for the experts to solve. As private aquarists, the problem we can solve is to procreate these and distribute the fry to similarly dedicated peers.
Thus, here is listing of the species I am working with, those with asterisks have produced fry.
p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } PARETROPLUS KEINERI CALICO DAMBA

PARETROPLUS MACULATUS

PARETROPLUS MENARAMBO

PTYCHOCROMIS GRANDIDIERI

PTYCHOCHROMIS OLIGANTHUS

HAPLOCHROMIS SP “KENYA GOLD”*

ASTAT. LATIFACIATA-OBLIQUIDENS* ARCHOCENTRUS MYRNAE

PUNDMILIA NYEREI AMPHILOPHUS LYONSI

HAPLOCHROMIS sp "RUBY" *
PARATROPLUS DAMBABE

HAP sp “BLUE OBLIQUIDENS”
LITHOCHROMIS XANOPTERYX
HAP sp 35 “TOMATO”
HAP sp 44 “THICKSKIN”
HAPLOCHOMIS LATIFACIATA sp “RED FLANKS”
HAP sp “HIPPO POINT SALMON”*
HAP sp “UGANDA FIRE”
PARALABIDOCHROMIS sp “RED FIN PIEBALD”
PUNDAMILIA sp “BLUE BAR”, “HIPPO POINT”
PARALAB. SAUVEGI sp “MWANZA GULF”
STOMATEPIA MARIAE*
BENITOCHROMIS NIGRODORSALIS “MOLIWE”
STOMATEPIA PINDU
KONIA EISENTRAUTI*


Any C.A.R.E.S. species not on this list that you may have available are desired. Please contact me via PM.
 ]]> paddysdaddy http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=216 TBAS Fish Farm Tour part (6) http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=105 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 07:34:53 GMT Image: http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/dogfish4/Copy2ofgames098.jpg After the snails hatch they are left in the vats to grow. Image:...
After the snails hatch they are left in the vats to grow.

Apistogramma cacatuoides

German Blue Rams

Apisto's

A Catfish breeding in clear glass




The End six parts
 ]]> DogFish http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=105 TBAS Fish Farm Tour part (5) http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=104 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 07:26:01 GMT Looking down the green house at the Vats, Image: http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/dogfish4/Copy2ofgames091-1.jpg Image:... Looking down the green house at the Vats,


In this green house there are pools growing out Corys

In this green house he had Snails


The snails lay eggs on the walls of the Vats and the hatch out.
]]> DogFish http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=104 TBAS Fish Farm Tour Part (4) http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=103 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:29:41 GMT Sorry about the quilty of pictures. What you are looking at are blue rams (Microgeophagus ramirezi ). The farm has started breeding them. They lay... Sorry about the quilty of pictures. What you are looking at are blue rams (Microgeophagus ramirezi ). The farm has started breeding them. They lay eggs in the small clay pots










Lawnmower


Suckermouth catfish breeding in pipe.
]]> DogFish http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=103 TBAS Fish Farm Tour Part 3 http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=102 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 08:15:13 GMT The farm is about 15 miles south of Tampa Florida in the Ruskin area. The club members had a great time visiting a working fish farm. A lot of the... The farm is about 15 miles south of Tampa Florida in the Ruskin area. The club members had a great time visiting a working fish farm. A lot of the newer members of the TBAS have never seen a working fish farm. I thought I would share the pictures with the ACA, one of the neat things about a local club is being able to do this type of outing.









]]> DogFish http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=102 TBAS Fish Farm Tour Part 2 http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=101 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 08:06:05 GMT One of the members showing Daphnia, there is no circulation in the tanks. Daphnia is used as a food for fry. Image:... One of the members showing Daphnia, there is no circulation in the tanks. Daphnia is used as a food for fry.



]]> DogFish http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=101 TBAS Fish Farm Tour Part 1 http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=100 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 07:58:00 GMT TBAS Fish Farm Tour

by Dogfish » Sun Nov 14, 2010 11:41 am
Saturday the 13th, the Tampa Bay Aquarium Society had a tour of one of our members fish farm. After we toured his farm in the after noon we toured a small wholesaler. I have a lot of pictures will add more later.



Most of the ponds held Barbs that are growing out.








One of the many green house's

The round tanks hold Daphnia ]]> DogFish http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=100 random pics http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=84 Sun, 05 Dec 2010 16:45:14 GMT This is a test and only a test...one of the following pics does not belong. If you fail this, sell your tanks.
Or it's a test to see if I can sneak in one non-fish pic. Just couldn't resist, she's so sweet and spoiled rotten. My "day job" is producing/raising/marketing miniature cattle so that's an important part of our lives here.
And the koi are just a new tangent for our 5 ponds (totalling 3 acres) on the farm.
The rest are just....cichlids.
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]]> paddysdaddy http://www.cichlid.org/forums/blog.php?b=84