Most people know this fish as the "Red Top Cobalt Zebra" or the "Mbenji Zebra". It is a beautifully coloured mbuna (rock dwelling fish) from the Mbenji Islands in Lake Malawi. Coloured males are an overall light cobalt blue with red dorsal, caudal and pectoral fins. Females tend to show more brownish tones with some hints of blue. The female also retains some red in the … [Read more...] about Metriaclima mbenji (Mbenji Zebra)
Other fish
The Search for the Elusive “Marmalade Cat”
The search for the elusive "Marmalade Cat"! That term, "marmalade cat" is applied to several Malawi cichlid species that have special markings: OB (originally "orange blotched" but now, any 'blotched' mbuna), an orange dorsal fin, and 'calico-like' body colors (i.e. blue or blue hued). You'll generally not see two OB fish with similar markings the pattern develops randomly. … [Read more...] about The Search for the Elusive “Marmalade Cat”
Oscar FAQ
Why get an oscar? What sized aquarium should I use? What kind of heater should I use? What kind of filter should I use? What about lighting? Does my oscar tank need a lid? What substrate can I use in my oscar tank? What decorations can be used? Can plants be used? What sort of water does my oscar need? What diet does my oscar need? Should my … [Read more...] about Oscar FAQ
Melanochromis johanni
I have two thirty gallon tanks in which I keep my "Africans" and I keep a variety of these cichlids. Among them were two pairs of Melanochromis johanni. The males were separated but the females were kept together. Since I had raised these pairs from half a dozen small fry given to me by a friend, I was wondering when they might spawn. The males changed colour after about one … [Read more...] about Melanochromis johanni
Goldfish FAQ
What are goldfish? How long do goldfish live? Goldfish are all the same, right? Is it still a goldfish if it isn't gold? Why has my goldfish changed colors? What is that growth on my goldfish's head? What are the names of my goldfish's fins? What does the inside of my goldfish look like? Is my goldfish male or female? Why can't I keep my goldfish in a bowl? What kind … [Read more...] about Goldfish FAQ
Shell Dweller Sampler
My interest in shell dwellers started when I began exploring the smaller species of theLamprologus genus. These fish initially caught my fancy because of the limited amount of tank space that I have. I started out keeping Lamprologus like L. leleupi, L. cygnus, and L. brichardi.These are roughly three to four inch fish and are quite adaptable in medium sized community setups … [Read more...] about Shell Dweller Sampler
The Fish Speak: Labeotropheus Fuelleborni
"Look out Fran! To the right! Faster! No get behind that pipe! That green thing is still after you, faster Fran, Keep going! Oh no it’s got her." Hello there, my name is Fred Fuelleborni and I am an African Cichlid. That was my mate Fran I was just shouting at. I was trying to save her from that green thing but I guess it’s too late now. It got her. She was my favourite … [Read more...] about The Fish Speak: Labeotropheus Fuelleborni
Cyprichromis leptosoma
If there is such a thing as an underrated Rift Lake Cichlid, the Cyprichromis leptosoma is it. C. leptosoma, is sometimes known as the "cyp" (pronounced "sip") and sometimes as the "blue flash", although the latter is more often used to identify a particular variety of cyp. Sometimes it is also referred to as a "sardine cichlid", which is a reference to its streamlined shape. … [Read more...] about Cyprichromis leptosoma
Keeping and Spawning Cyprichromis leptosoma
The genus Cyprichromis contains four species that were previously considered to be in the genus Limnochromis. The four species are C. nigripinnis, C. brieni, C. leptosoma and C. microlepidotus.Cyprichromis species are endemic to Lake Tanganyika, so they obviously like hard alkaline water. Most of the dissolved salts in Lake Tanganyika are derived from carbonates of calcium, … [Read more...] about Keeping and Spawning Cyprichromis leptosoma
Breeding & Raising Triops
I decided to attempt to raise Triops, a very interesting invertebrate, as an additional source of food for my ocsars. Triops were around during the Triassic Period and haven't changed much if any since then. They lived in small water puddles that would form during the rains. They evolved to grow quickly and have a short lifespan to be able to lay their eggs before the puddle … [Read more...] about Breeding & Raising Triops