Bandi

I have read a little about the use of hormones in raising fish. Everything I have read up 'til now indicates the only benefit is for the breeder that in fact the use of hormones stunts growth, causes deformities and infertility in the fry. I bought a pair of severums from LFS in Calgary and they were the same size when purchased (probably siblings). I bought a male and female. I bought them because they showed great color. The two of have grown, but VERY slowly and the female I would have to say is stunted. I dare say her eyes seems a little enlarged as well. I have posted pictures to show the size difference of these two fish. Both raised in the same tank, same food, same conditions. I know females are likely to be smaller but after 6 months, this females is still only a fraction bigger than a loonie coin. The male, as you can see is not big, but considerably bigger than the female. Can I suspect hormones? Does this mean my female (and possibly male are infertile?) Are hormones to be expected when I buy from LFS or is this practice frowned upon? Should I tell the LFS my suspicions? I just would like to hear your thoughts on this.

Thanks, I will have fun with them, I am having fun with them. I guess making mistakes is all part of the process. Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'll keep a close watch on them and move them in a week or so.

thanks

Thanks for the advice. Right now the parents are guarding the fry fiercely and taking active interest in keep them fed. They don't SEEM to be eating them. But I am not sure. The fry swim out in the open and make no effort to hide in the nooks and caves. The species in question here are Nicaragua Cichlids. I don't even know if they are worth keeping. David at Gold Aquarium tells me there is no market for them. Should I even waste my time?

I had a pair of fish spawn in their 75 Gallon tank. They are along in there except for their 60 or so offspring. The fry are about .5 inch. Do I just leave them in there with the parents until they are big enough to sell, or should I set up my 20 gallon tank as a grow out? And, if I move them...how do I move them? With a net? they seem so frigile...will catching them in a net harm them?

I have had this pair together for about two months in a 75 gallon tank at 82 degrees. They looked to me like they were bonding. The male EBJD displays and flars to the other. Today I noticed lip locking. Wondering if it is aggression or courting. I am not 100% sure the regular JD is indeed a female. If it is a male...I will feel stupid but it will explain why they haven't spawned. Can anyone tell me for sure if she is indeed a female?

admitedly I am not 100% sure she is a female. I am pretty sure, but not entirely sure. That might explain why they haven't spawned (ha ha). Only time will tell I guess.

Hey, is lip locking a good thing? My two started doing that today...are they fighting or courting?

I'll keep your females in mind...where are you again? I have been feeding them lots of maggots (high protien) they love 'em. I guess only time will tell. Thanks for the help.

I have them in a 75 G tank, lots of nooks and cave like places. Temp is about 82, water changes once a week. Male is displaying (shaking at the female) and hanging out with female (she is larger than the male by about 30%). About four days ago I put in a young JD female who is about 50% smaller than the male. My thought was that would give him choices or spur competition between the females and one might just choose to lay. However the smaller female is picked on and lays in hiding most of the time. She is stressed so I might have to removed her. I have a couple of electric yellows I could put in there...what do you think?

Now I am jealous, one of my JDs died suddenly without warning. My other one is not spawning with the female I have for him.

Do you have snails in your tank? I heard that they can stink because they multiply so fast and you never know when one dies and just rots there. I have five big tanks, they all have lids but I don't put snails in for just that reason. But there are probably some snail people out there who might disagree with me on this.

Do post a photo of your find.

I was planning on doing some digging. I was thinking about 2000-3000 gallon pond with waterfall. I got all the pumps, filters and deicers I need. But everything is still just a figment of my imagination at this time. Will probably wait until spring to start digging.

:welcome:

HI, and welcome. I haven't been here long either but there sure are nice people here who are very knowledgable.

:welcome:

Hi, I am new to ponds. Don't have one yet, only contemplating one at this time. But can someone tell me why all the pre-formed plastic ponds and all the pond liners I see for sale in the shops are always black? Doesn't that make the pond look darker then needed? Why not pool blue? Wouldn't that look more cheery and show fish better? I am asking because there is probably and very good reason for the black color...I just can't figure it out

absolutely amazing! Drooling over here! :drool:

They look quite big. Shipping larger sized fish like that...is it more complicated and risky then shipping fry? Nice fish however. Best of luck with them. I love the Fronts as well!

A fellow was selling off his fish to move his tank and I got a real deal! Two red gold serverums about 5-6 inches each. Lovely color. Some photos are with flash and some are without flash (the blurry ones of course).

I saw those loaches on Kijiji and would have snapped them up if I had the room. Good find!!

Fantastic, love your choice of fish. Since you have the datnoids, do you ad salt to the water? If so, how many table spoons per gallon?

At first I thought maybe one of my cichlids ripped his lip...the wound looked minor and he was still eating. A few days later I noticed it didn't seem to be healing and in a few more days it the wound was definately larger. So I moved him to a quarentine tank. He has been there over a week and the wound got worse still. I think he is still eating, but he is mostly sulking at the bottom of the tank. He does come to the front when I put my face close (as if he is trying to be social). But there is no improvement in his condition. I fear that even if I can stop what ever it is that has caused his lip to fall off...he is going to be severely deformed for life. The thing you see hanging off the side is part of his upper lip. Sorry for the photos quality...I am hating my camera more each day!

:welcome: I am reletively new here also, but have found this site to be full of friendly, helpfull people. Fish people are just plain nice!!!