tc51

Nice shots, I love the zoo, even though it still has some internal problems I get just like a kid again when I go. I could spend hours in the gorilla enclosure, just watching. A fun day for sure. Tom

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I have once again changed around my 90 gal, I think this is the way I will leave it for a while I like the way it looks now, what do you guys think. Please let me know. Thanks for looking Tom.

That’s interesting Kyle, I have my f1 yellows in a 30 gal by themselves and boy are they skittish, even the larger 2" males I have in there run and hide whenever anyone goes near the tank, they will even grab the food and run. What would you guys suggest I could use for dithers in this tank, sounds like the rainbows you have in your tank may work out just fine Kyle were they pricey and how many did you use. Thanks Tom Sorry, only on my 3rd cup of coffee I will be all right.

Well arrived home safely, great time had by both, quite a few dollars poorer very expensive place. Check out the few pics. Persuaded Cathy to go up in the gondola, in the pic she looks terrified no pretending here, she was. Thanks for looking. Tom Banff

Thank's so much for your kind words, Karen I have made a lot of changes to the 90 gal maybe I will leave it alone for a while. Tom

Info and pic as requested. Not the best pics in the world, can't get the hang of this photo stuff 185 Gal 72x30x20 Filters 1 Eheim 2250 1 fluval 404 2 AC 500 Substrate cichlid gravel Red lava rock. Plain blue background. Lifestock 6 juvie zare blue kapampa frontosa 4 very lonley female otopharynx tetraspilus yellow princess 6 met estherae [orange] 1 f1 met estherae blue male. 6 blue dolphin 4 electric blue [fryeri] 1 male 3 female 1 striped rafael cat 2 sailfin plec. 90 gal 48x24x18 Filters 2 AC 500 Substrate crushed coral silica sand Texas holey rock plain blue background Lifestock C. Azureus [electric blue] 3 female 2 male Mel. Cyanedrhabos [8, not sure of the sex] 2 white calvus 1 male 1 female [wild] [had another female but lost her soon after i got them :cry: ] 15 or so middle of the road yellow labs [ not up to RD standards, but not as bad has some I have seen in Calgary and Red deer stores. :mad: Just a side note if anyone id looking for some average labs, give me a shout.] 6 Synodonitis Petricola [ I think] 44 gal 48x18x12 Community Tank Filter Marineland Penguin 330 bio-wheel AC 200 Substrate cichlid mix gravel A bunch of community fish, rainbows, bolivian rams, tetras, etc. 33 gal 36x18x12 grow out tank Filter Eheim 2217 Marineland Penguin 330 bio-wheel Very ugly gravel substrate, slate and river rocks Fake plants. I have 10 f1 yellow lab juvies and 3 sub adult 2 of which are spectacular looking males [Watch out Neil I am comming quickly -roll- ] The f1's are going to be something the colour is fantastic. Shellie Tank Rahim kindly gave a link. Sorry to go on so long and bore you guys, but I thought I would list what I had to relate the pics to. Thanks For looking. Tom. P.S. Oh by the way any constructive criticism, suggestions, would be greatfuly appreciated. My Tanks

Awesome set up, Karen. I would pay to see you dance with your fishes. Love the tank. Tom

Hi again Jake Here are a couple of sites that deal with shellies of different type's may help in your research. They are an enjoyable set-up to watch. Good Luck Tom Shelie #1 Shelie #2 shellie #3

Hi jakel2k I have a 29 gal with 3 proven breading groups of N multifasciatus. breading like rabbits. The whole system is for sale check out this link let me know what you think. The total number of fish is now at about 20 just spawned again. Shellie Tank

Anyone know were in Calgary these may be found. Thanks Tom.

Hi Jenn Nice to hear from you again, Get those pic up soon, sounds like a nice setup. Tom

Thanks Kyle, The only estherae I will be keeping from the one's I have is my f1 male I will be ordering wilds for the 125, if the mix with the polit will work. I really like the Polit so the focus will be on them and what would both look good and will be ok from an aggression point. Tom

Could you guys suggest what fish mix well with sp polit I have heard they are cranky little buggers. How would metriaclima estherae do with polit?? So what do you think will mix well with these guys in a 120 gal, if you could suggest a good mix and in what ratios. I plan on 2 male and 4 female of the polit [ wilds ] Thanks for looking guys. Tom

I think in his own little way he is letting you know he can "Be your hero baby" Cute little guy though.

Nice set-up Garrett, were did you get the black substrate, looks really good :thumbs: Tom

Russty, I have been feeding all my africans, yes I did say all my africans on nothing but N.L.S for the past month or so, with amazing results. Check out the link on R.D. reply to his website you won’t be sorry. Also here is a link discussion on NLS good reading with lots of info. N.L.S.

:welcome: to a great Forum Becky people and info here is second to none. We have the best and most knowledgeable members anywere. [i.M.O.] Tom

Ok guys , thanks. So it is possible I have all males, and they are not mutts after all. Just really orange Here are a couple of pic, not the best, but you get what I am talking about. Believe me Dunl It don’t take to much to confuse me, So given that the blue, orange sexing method is out, how do you, [other than venting] sex the orange morph. Really nice fish, malawi_luver and Jods2518. Thanks again guys Tom. Estherrae

Ok can someone explain to a dummy like me, all I have read tells me that Metriaclima estherrae males are blue and female are orange. I have 5 that I assumed were female, I now believe that I was wrong and I have 5 orange males, is this possable. Maybe line bred mutts. Thanks for the help guys. Will try to get a pic up as soon as I can. Tom.

The vampire fish of Brazil Order: Siluriformes Family: Trichomycteridae Genus & Species: Vandellia cirrhosa APPEARANCE The candiru, also called the carnero fish, is a tiny parasitic catfish that inhabits the waters of South America. They can reach lengths of 1-2.5 in (2.5-6 cm) with a width of 3.5 mm. Their diminutive size and nearly transparent body makes them very hard to locate (not that you would want to). The candiru has sharp bones with a series of spines located around the head used while feeding. HABITAT The candiru is found only in the Amazon and Oranoco Rivers of South America. They do not like the sun and tend to burry themselves in the mud and sand of the river bottom underneath logs and rocks. FOOD The candiru has a voracious appetite for blood and will parasitize fish, mammals, and humans. One scientist, while holding a candiru, accidently let it enter a small cut on his hand. It could be seen writhing under the skin towards the vein. To find a fish, the candiru first tastes the water, trying to locate a water stream that is coming from the gills of a fish. Once such a stream is detected, the candiru follows the stream to its new host and inserts itself inside the gill flap. Spines around its head then pierce the scales of the fish and draws blood while anchoring the candiru in place. The candiru then feeds on the blood by using its mouth as a slurping apparatus and while rasping the long teeth on its top jaw. When candirus parasitize humans, it is usually only when they are skinny-dipping while urinating in the water. The candiru tastes the urine stream and follows it back to the human. It then swims up the anus and lodges itself somewhere in the urinary tract with its spines. Blood is drawn, and the candiru gorges itself on both the blood and body tissue, its body sometimes expanding due to the amount of blood. This is all said to be very painful for the poor person who has this happen to him or her. Unfortunately, they are almost impossible to remove due to the spines. Amputation of the private areas is the cheapest, and most life-changing, way to remove the fish. Actual surgery is extremely expensive and involves inserting the Xagua plant and the Buitach apple up the urethra. These two plants kill and even dissolve the parasitic fish. If surgery is not done in time, the blockage of the urinary tract will prove fatal. The candiru is the only known vertebrate to parasitize humans. ENEMIES The candiru has few, if any, enemies at all, as they are feared throughout their geographic range and are given a worse reputation than the pirhana. BREEDING Little is known about their breeding habits, at least as far as I can tell. RELATIVES Candirus are a species of catfish and have six other species in their genus. A smaller Amazonian fish, dubbed the vampire fish, was recently discovered in the Araguaia River of the Amazon Basin. It too parasitized animals and is transparent and may be a close relative of the candiru.

Hi Kyle, I am feeding this to my labs exclusively with great results. These are the labs I picked up from you, I feed small amounts three to four times per day. They have grown quite a bit even in the short time I have had them. Tom

Awesome Ty amazing difference, I should look into getting the t5 for my 90. Tom.

I feed my fronts on nothing but NLS they love it, I throw in some brine shrimp once a week. My fish are spectacular, great color, and very active. My recomendation would be use NLS large fish pellets and just watch the change. If you do go with NLS, please keep us informed how your fish progress. Hope this helps. Tom.

Hi guys Anyone know were I can get my hands on any of these guys. I am re-doing my 185 gal to a Lake Tanganyika tank with fronts and Benthochromis Tricoti. Dont seem to be any around anywere at the moment, so if anyone knows were I may get my hands on some of these beauties please let me know. Thanks Tom.