In this article I will be talking about my experiences with a West African substrate spawner, the Hemichromis bimaculatus, commonly known as the Two Spotted Jewel Cichlid. Keep in mind that not all substrate spawners will partake in these exact events from one specie of fish to another. All information contained in this article is based on my experiences with the twelve … [Read more...] about My Experiences With A Substrate Spawner Hemichromis bimaculatus, the Jewel Cichlid
How Many Fish?
They decided many years ago that four inches by four inches of surface area per inch of fish was the correct formula in a tank without aeration, and this still stands today, even with all the technology that is available. A four inch by four inch square of surface area per inch of fish is the minimum requirement, so if your fish is say four inches long, it would require … [Read more...] about How Many Fish?
Breeding the “Malawi Eye-Biter”
Dimidiochromis compressiceps has been on my list for many years, as a fish that I had wanted to keep and breed. I have observed this fish in the wild in its golden form at Chizumulu Island, Malawi and Cobwe, Mozambique. This golden form (male, female are both golden), is available to us Cichlid addicts, but the fish does not seem to keep the colour very well under aquarium … [Read more...] about Breeding the “Malawi Eye-Biter”
Getting Answers To Problems
I run a small basic project, and receive a great deal of mail each month from people with fish problems, and many are at the stage of packing the whole thing in due to their constant fish losses, or because everything they do just seems to add more problems to their ones they already have. Often the information they give is scant, to say the least, with few details of what they … [Read more...] about Getting Answers To Problems
Some Tips for Beginners
How Long Do You Wait Before Adding Fish? Opinions vary so much on this subject that it is hard to give a reasonable answer. The Americans for instance have what is known as "cycling", which is the period of time a tank has to remain empty of fish until the good bacteria have established themselves and are controlling the conditions of the water in the tank. Most aquarists in … [Read more...] about Some Tips for Beginners
Tank Set-up and Maintenance (a new concept)
I am a breeder of Lakes Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria cichlids. For a while, in my early days of breeding these cichlids, I had a problem with what I thought was overfeeding the fry. I was losing far too many to what appeared to be Malawi bloat. I had an inkling then about the cause, for I knew in my heart that I was not over-feeding. I had observed on a daily, and … [Read more...] about Tank Set-up and Maintenance (a new concept)
Cleaning Bowls & Stuff
Many times people are faced with a situation where they need to completely sterilize their bettas living environment. Some reasons could be a recent outbreak in fungus or a parasite like velvet, but sometimes a person might have recently lost a betta and is wanting to prepare the old bowl for a new betta. Whatever the reason is, proper sterilization of the bowl/tank and the … [Read more...] about Cleaning Bowls & Stuff
Cyrtocara moorii
Introduction Cyrtocara moorii, also known in the hobby as Haplochromis moorii or the Malawi Blue Dolphin, was named after the collector of the type material, J. E. S. Moore. Moorii was first described in 1902, and was first exported out of Africa in 1968. It gained the nickname "blue dolphin" due to its pronounced forehead (called a nuchal hump) and lips and overall … [Read more...] about Cyrtocara moorii
Setting Up A Tank, for Dummies
Your first tank arrives home, possibly with a bag of fish, possibly not. Possibly with a kit-type collection of assorted lights, heaters, and filters, possibly not. What are you going to do with it all? This article is intended to provide you with instructions for setting up your first tank. I assume you want your new tank to be something to admire, and that the typical … [Read more...] about Setting Up A Tank, for Dummies
Check List for Setting up a Fish Tank
Check List for Setting up a Fish Tank Pick tank wanted --Verify tank has no leaks, cracks, or any other faults that could cause tank failure. --Verify tank is clean and disease-/toxin-free (previously washed, sterilized with bleach, and rinsed). Set up tank in display location. Position tank with water, electricity, air, and drain nearby. … [Read more...] about Check List for Setting up a Fish Tank