Touch tanks are shallow tanks of water, usually raised so public does not have to bend over, that contain animals and plants from an aquatic environment (usually local) that the public can touch and/or pick up to examine. Touch tanks can be found at various aquariums, nature centers, zoos, pet stores, pet supply places, and even the Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball field (their … [Read more...] about Touch Tanks
Spawning Stomatepia pindu (Barombi Mbo)
Down in Western Africa in the country of Cameroon there are many volcanoes that are now occupied by crater lakes. One of these lakes is Barombi Mbo. Barombi Mbo is home to over a dozen cichlid species, including 11 endemic species, which evolved from a single species over the last 10,000 years. The cichlid species in Barombi Mbo include Stomatepia pindu, Stomatepia mariae, … [Read more...] about Spawning Stomatepia pindu (Barombi Mbo)
Spawning Chalinochromis brichardi ‘Masked’
I have been keeping Lake Tanganyikan cichlids as long as I have been a hobbyist, which I guess is over 20 years now. But for whatever reason I have not kept any species from the genus Chalinochromis until recently. I am now working with wild pairs of Chalinochromis brichardi 'Masked' and Chalinochromis sp. 'Streaked Masked Mabilibili'. I have recently been able to successfully … [Read more...] about Spawning Chalinochromis brichardi ‘Masked’
Pseudotropheus saulosi
The first thing that I have to point out is that I'm not an expert on cichlids by anyone's definition, but I do consider myself to be an enthusiastic hobbyist who is lucky enough to be having my fair share of success. I first started keeping cichlids about two years ago after about two years of keeping tropicals. I also joined the Cichlid Society about two years ago. My … [Read more...] about Pseudotropheus saulosi
Pseudotropheus flavus
Pseudotropheus flavus also known by the trade name of dinghani comes from only two remote islands in Lake Malawi. These two locations are Chinyamwezi Rocks and Chinyankwazi Island. From Kambiri Point this is about a 2 hour boat ride in one of Stuart Grant's boats. The water is extremely clear here, because these islands are far from the mainland. On a perfectly clear day the … [Read more...] about Pseudotropheus flavus
Astatotilapia brownae
Endemic to Lake Victoria, and formerly known as Haplochromis brownae, Astatotilapia brownaeis an insectivore occurring in shallow waters along the sandy shores. It grows to 12 cm and is one of the few species from Lake Victoria available in Australia. Others include Haplochromis nigricans, Haplochromis limax, Haplochromis burtoni and Haplochromis nyererei. The aquarium … [Read more...] about Astatotilapia brownae
Plants in the African Cichlid Aquarium: They’re Not Just For Breakfast Anymore
I have seen a few people show surprise, shock, or just plain disbelief after I told them my African cichlid tanks have plants in them. Yes, real plants. And quite a few of them, too. Maybe they arent the green explosions some CAS members manage to produce, but my plants have at least grown to the point where its a trifle difficult to see all the way to the tanks back. I now … [Read more...] about Plants in the African Cichlid Aquarium: They’re Not Just For Breakfast Anymore
Photographing Your Betta – 35mm with autofocus
I have been receiving questions from a few folks wanting to know how I take pictures of my bettas and what kind of camera that I am using. As a help, I will share what I have found to work for me. Taking pictures of your betta can be tricky but once you find a way to make it work for you it is a lot of fun! I am by no means a pro when it comes to picture taking, not at all. … [Read more...] about Photographing Your Betta – 35mm with autofocus
Pacu – A Giant Characin of the Amazon
Background In recent times a large number of dramatically written press reports, originating both in Europe and North America, have spoken of large pirhana species which uncaring pet keepers have deliberately released into various waterways once these fish have outgrown their aquaria. Many of these stories have turned out not to relate to the various pirhana species but to … [Read more...] about Pacu – A Giant Characin of the Amazon
Finally I Made It – Cardinal Tetras
Visiting Jem Aquatics shop I saw some pretty young Cardinal Tetras from a recent shipment. The fish were in excellent condition, of good shape and young, just ready and promising. In the past I have bought, tried to breed and wasted probably well over 300 dollars on Cardinals. The visit to the shop tempted me once more. With Bob's (the owner) permission I was able to … [Read more...] about Finally I Made It – Cardinal Tetras