A LOOK AT MY 75 GALLON MALE COMMUNITY

THE LATEST ON MY LITTLE CICHLID ROOM

ODE TO OB CICHLIDS

POND PLEASURES

Yesterday it was windy here. I went out to feed my pond fish and found my pond was missing about 1/4 of the water. In the center of the pond I have a pump that sprays water into the air. Because it was so windy the water being shot into the air was blown onto the grass. Over a few hours my pond had lost a lot of water.

I pulled out the garden hose and began refilling the pond. I then got down on my knees to lower the spout of the pump so it wouldn't spray so high and let the wind steal my water. As leaned over and reached for the spout, I lost my balance and took the plunge! It was pretty cold! The days high was only 16° so the water was chilly to say the least. I'm sure I shocked the fish as well as myself.

While I was in there I adjusted the spray at little too low. Once the pond had been filled again I realized the spray was below the surface. As the pond finished filling I changed into dry clothes. Going out to turn the water off I realized I set the spout a little too low but I was warm and dry so that's how I left it.

A GREAT MOTHER'S DAY

DAILY OBSERVATIONS

Many times throughout my day I stop and take a moment to just sit and enjoy my Cichlids. I never ceases to amaze me how soothing and calming it is just watching my Cichlids swim around interacting with each other. They are therapeutic in a sense. If I'm upset, or worried about something, or just feeling alone sitting and spending time relaxing and watching them brings me such a good, peaceful feeling. I'm not sure anyone who doesn't share this fascination or hobby can really understand what I'm trying to say.

I was out getting my pond in the yard cleaned up, washed out, stones reset, pump and waterfall running all so I could bring my fish back out. They have spent the last 4 months in my basement in an algae filled tank waiting for spring. My pond fish look wonderful and happy back where they belong. I'm so happy my pond is ready for summer. There are plants sprouting around the pond but until they mature it's looking a little bare. I have a few water plants in pots that are also needing to grow but that's the wonderful thing about spring. The joy of watching life return is tremendously satisfying.

Once my yard work was done I came in to sit for a bit with a cold drink in front of my 75gl African Cichlid community tank. As I'm watching I notice my Red Zebra is really working himself up for someone. Standing up and peering behind the rock where he was in a frenzy I see one of my yellow labs doing the mating dance with him. She now has her mouth full and can hardly close it around the eggs she's holding. This will be interesting. I have not had any success with my yellow labs breeding. They breed well but always spit or lose their brood a day or two later. I'll have to wait and see. If she's still holding at 10 days in then I will move her to a brooding tank. I'm really hoping she gets it right this time.

DAILY OBSERVATIONS

I watched my Cichlid community for a long time last night. There was so much shivering and shaking going on it was weird. I did do a water change in the morning but it was long after that this behavior went on. I was watching my Yellow Labs breeding. Everytime they got in sync my male Auratus disturbed them. Then when they found a new corner and began again my blueberry OB tried fertilizing both of the Labs. It was very strange. After quite a while I turned their night light on and finally went to bed.

First thing this morning I fed my fry in my fish room. Checked on all of them and then went down to see how my adult Cichlids were doing. They looked good and my Yellow Lab was holding. I was so happy to see they were successful. I certainly hoped the Blueberry had nothing to do with it. I fed them and went to have my coffee.

WEEKLY WATER CHANGE

I had a busy day of changing water in 4 of my tanks. I began with my fry tank as it was going to be the most work because I was not only changing their water but moving them to a bigger tank. First I scooped out most of the water pouring it directly into the larger grow-out tank where they will stay now until they are either sold or traded. I moved their decor and set it up much the same as how it was in the other tank. They are going from a 20 gallon to a 40. There are 67x1" fry in this group so they are outgrowing their tank quickly. Once the tank was ready, it was catch time. What a crazy job that can be. I netted a few at a time, counting as I moved them. Yup 67 healthy fry + a bristle nose catfish as their custodian.

Next I took a gallon out of my tiny fry's tank and freshened it up a bit. This tank is perfect for them and they will be able to stay here until grown. It's a 10 gallon tank but there are only 17 tiny fry so they will have room to grow.

My 55 was next where my South American Cichlids reside. I love this tank. The fish are happy and get along really well. It's a peaceful tank to watch. I traded my three Parrot fish for African Cichlids leaving me room for a couple more South American Cichlids. I'm thinking I'd like to get a couple Green Terrors. I'll have to look and see what would be the best fit. I have 8 fish in this tank right now. A couple more will round it out nicely.

Finally my 60 was left. I really believe the bigger the tank the less work a water change is. I siphoned off about 20% of the water, replaced the filters, treated the new water and filled it back up. Looks great and took maybe an hour.

It's always a good feeling when that's accomplished and you know your fish are in a happy and healthy environment. My water tests are done the next morning.

DAILY OBSERVATIONS

Last night after supper I was watching my African Cichlid community in their new digs. They are looking quite happy. So happy in fact that my pair of M. Auratus are breeding again after only being in their new home less than 24 hours. How awesome is that?

They are showing interest in breeding but just going through the motions in this video. I hope I'll catch the actual breeding event but this is a peek at what the mating dance is like.

I am disappointed in one aspect of the new tank. I had it given to me by a friend who had a saltwater coral reef setup in there. Once I had it cleaned and ready, setup and fish in.. I noticed the front of the tank is full of tiny scratches. I didn't notice before but since the back is painted black they have really popped out and are so noticeable. It drives me crazy!! I'm going to have to replace it soon or I'll have to be committed. That's what happens with perfectionists. Little things like this drive us nuts. Hubby made me the stand and I have everything else so it's just a matter of buying a new tank. That's probably the most inexpensive part of all but with buying a new tank comes all the work involved. To my mind it will be worth it.

I do have another purpose for this tank so it won't go to waste. It will hold my pond fish over the winter months. They are quickly outgrowing the tank they are in right now. By next fall, they will need the room anyway so I would have had to do something to accommodate them.

GROWING MY FRY

Watching my fry eating and darting about brings a smile to my face. These fry are about 5 weeks old now. There are a variety of sizes among them. The biggest are noticeably darker in colour (not sure why) most are about a 1/2" but there are a few twice that size. I can already see aggression in these bitty guys. They are getting more bold each day. Now they are going up to the top to get their food instead of waiting for it to sink down to them. The funny thing is, it's the smaller ones that seem to be going up for food.

In this video you will also see my floating nursery for my latest brood of 17 M.Auratus - Golden Cichlids. They are growing quickly as well. So far they are all doing well and seem to be consistent in size.

TESTING YOUR AQUARIUM WATER

I love this video in it's simplicity. 

AFRICAN MALAWI CICHLID MATING DANCE

Stella has been back in the community tank less than a week since her last brood. She seems happy to be in with her group but Bubba is smitten again. I just hope she plays hard to get a little longer before she gives in.

This video is a perfect display of the Shiver-shake the males do to impress their ladies. Stella is showing interest but not laying eggs yet. Stella gets some rest as Bubba has is eyes on a couple other females as well.

BUILDING PINEAPPLES

This morning while watching my holding females in the African Cichlid community tank I felt they needed a place to protect their fry. I have plenty of hiding spots but I do want to give them the best chance at surviving that I can. Building them a couple little homes may be just the thing.

In the basement I found a couple clay flower pots. I grabbed hubby's drill, a hole cutter, bit attachments and went to work. I soaked the pots in water before I started drilling. I did the drilling underwater just to keep the dust down and keep it cool. It's quite a long process. You have to go slow and steady without pressing too hard or you risk breaking the pot. Once the holes were drilled it was decorating time.

I used aquarium silicone to attach small river stones all over the outside, sticking some fake plant leaves in between as well. They turned out pretty good. I affectionately call them Pineapples because of their look.

Now I just hope the holding females get to use them before some other Cichlid claims them for themselves. The entrance holes are pretty small so I don't think the bigger fish will go for them. I leave the bottom bare and wiggle them into the substrate up to the river stones. It's fun using your imagination to create sea-scapes in my tanks. I like them all to be a little different. 

STELLA - WEEK 4

Stella is displaying some aggression when I touch the tank with my finger. She lunges at the glass. Her coloring is more pronounced as well. I believe she's doing just fine. Her home is perfect, cozy and private. I'm looking forward to her letting the little ones out to eat soon.

Stella is doing great and so are her fry. She does release them for periods of time and is actually leaving them out for a bit while I watch. She still sucks them back into her mouth off and on during the day. They are growing quickly so it won't be much longer that they will fit into her mouth. As it is her face looks like it's going to explode.

Today I will separate her from her fry. She bred on January 16 and in the brooding tank for 24 days. It's time to let her recuperate. I figure after a week she should be ready to return to the community tank. I'm sure Bubba is looking forward to her return.

HOW MANY IS TOO MANY IN A 40 GALLON TANK

I have a 40 gallon tank that is home to my South American Cichlids. I have not been able to find much information on them. I've been told they are more aggressive than their African counter parts. That is definitely not the case in my experience.

In my 40 gallon tank I have:

                                             - 3 Parrot Fish

                                             - 2 Black Convicts

                                             - 2 Angels

                                             - 2 Fire Mouths

                                             - 1 Tiger Oscar

                                             - 1 Albino Oscar

                                             - 1 Pleco

                                             - 1 Bristle Nose CatFish

From what I have found online, my tank is over-stocked as they will fight for territories and be very aggressive. As I said, in my tank that is not the case at all. My South American Cichlids are doing awesome. They are not aggressive towards each other at all. If anything my big Black Convict sometimes lunges at the smaller one but doesn't even bother giving chase. They are more interested in me when I watch them and eating. 

I watch them closely so in the event that they become aggressive I have empty tanks I can move them to. Eventually they will be relocated into my 60 gallon tank but as yet it's not set up. I had it given to me so now my hubby just has to build me a cabinet to house it in. Hopefully they will be moved in the near future.

                    

55 GALLON

This is my 55 gallon community tank of African Malawi Cichlids I have 27 Cichlids.There are 3 females in brooding tanks right now and I also have 2 Plecos and 1 Bristle Nose Cat Fish. This is a harmonious community with little to no aggression. 

DAILY OBSERVATIONS

First thing I do every morning is enter my fish room and turn on all the aquarium lights. The next thing I do is I feed and then I observe. In my fish/sewing room I have 2-10 gallon brooding tanks, 2 fry grow out tanks, a 20 and a 30 gallon - and my 40 gallon South American Cichlid tank.

This morning Stella had released all her fry. There are too many to count but I'd say between 25-30 fry. They are very active and a good size for the 22 day mark. While they were out I fed her a little but she didn't eat. She was pretty quick in sucking her fry back into her mouth. It's so fascinating to see her with her young. She's very protective.

In the living room I have my 55 gallon African Cichlid tank. I have to say they are truly the most interesting to watch. The personalities, hierarchy and interactions are all what make African Cichlids so fun to watch. Watching this morning I witnessed a mating ritual and spawning between two Chipokae. 

The breeding process is quite a dance. She lays the eggs, then spins around so he can fertilize them while she's picking them up. They repeat this process over and over. I bet they were at it for an hour or so. This being day 1 I will leave her in the community tank for 7-10 days, allowing her to bond with her brood before moving her into the brooding tank. By then Stella will be moved into a recuperation tank for a week or so before I return her to the community tank - just to make sure she has gained her strength back after fasting for 20 days. Right now I have 3 holding females. At this rate I will be running out of tanks soon. When your Cichlids are breeding that's a great sign that they like their home. I have happy fish!!

DAILY OBSERVATIONS

African Cichlids have endless characteristics that make they so unique and the most entertaining of all aquarium fish. Not many fish have recognizable personalities but these do.

They are fascinating in that their colours change according to their gender, moods, stress level even the hierarchy within the tank affects what colours they display. Just knowing that they are capable of these changes is mind boggling.

Because of their ability to change their pigmentation it's difficult to discern which species they are. There are many that look so similar it's really best to send pictures to someone who has a history in Cichlids and knows how to identify this cool fish. Their colouration also makes it difficult to sex them. I am learning daily as I go along but it's crazy how much there is to know.

MY CICHLID PHOTOS

MORE OF MY 55

Sharing a passion - My African Malawi Cichlids