Raven

Looking for more ideas to change my tanks aquascape. It's currently planted with 2 kinds of Anubis (regular and narrow leaf), 2 kinds of Crypt (??? red leaf???), and some type of Val. Substrate is a gravel sand mix, no additives, tank is low light with no CO2 or anything special. There 3 pieces of drift wood, lots of rocks and terra cotta pots, some with plants in them some for hides. I'll add a picture below. New plants I'd like to add are more narrow leaf/drawf Anubis, Java fern, Java moss (if the fish will leave it alone), and I'd like to try to have a carpet or something, Drawf Sag? I'd also like to change the levels of the substrate, but not sure how to make it stay the way I want. Even with using rocks or wood to hold it in place it always seems to settle to one level. Once I have a plan of action, I'll post any updates here.

Guppies worked real well. There's a thread about it

Got some pictures of all the fish. Here they are:

Out of my group of 5 I am seeing a fairly large size difference, even with my best efforts to make sure everyone gets enough food to grow up. 3 of the 5 (the larger ones) seemed to have staked a claim to a cave of their own, 2 are in close vicinity to one another. I suspect 1 is M, the other is F, but I don't know, and sexing information is nill. The remaining fish is in its own isolated cave in a corner (near my recently paired and spawning Kribs). The remaining 2 (the smaller ones) do not have their own cave, the others (and the kribs) won't let them. So they hang out with the Tetras and other rejected male Kribs, in the upper-mid areas of the tank. With the limited amount of Information I have been able to find, I have no idea if the difference is sex related, or not, but I suspect they are still being out competed. My apartment ( and husband) limit the amount (and/or number) of tanks I have, so I don't have the room for all of them to live comfortably. I would like to share the experience of keeping these rare fish with someone else. For free, since they where given to me for free. If you are more experienced with breeding (especially with other Benitochromis spp, or African River Cichilds) I would be willing to re-home the 2 larger ones, that seem comfortable in sharing their space with one another. I hope that they would have a better eye in telling who's male or female, or just a better understanding of their behavior in general, as they act quite differently from other mouth-brooders I have kept in the past. Or if you are an experienced keeper, and African River Cichlids are new to you, and/or you have space to fill, I will share the smaller 2. I hope that they will be able to regain their growth and start looking like their larger counterparts. I hope then we will start to understand them more, and be able to more accurately predict their sexes in hopes of successful pairs. Since there are 5, I understand their maybe at least 1 oddball. If no pairs can be made..... I might have to try and contract the people at where I got them from. Something I will look into anyways, in case I can trade for (hopefully) better matches. Also, if you know anything about these fish, or the conditions they prefer for breeding, let me know, Please! Currently, I have no pictures, sorry.

it that critter cage in the tank?? What their behavior like?

See below, only clashes with the Amecas every once in a while and the new Benitos.

The fish were moved to a 10 or 20 G tank in the garage as the pond is emptied in the fall and refilled in the spring.

The fish were moved to a 10 or 20 G tank in the garage as the pond is emptied in the fall and refilled in the spring.

Looking for information on these guys. I just got 6 and I'm not sure what to expect. Other then knowing they're bi - parental mouth brooders, not sure how to sex them, or about their behavior. Been a while since I've kept a mouth brooder and I feel rusty. Diet seems simple enough, pellets, flakes, worms. Nothing I've seen says when they mature, or about what size they are. Not sure if I'll keep them all, but i'm waiting for them to form their pairs. Anyone know anything?

Looking for information on these guys. I just got 6 and I'm not sure what to expect. Other then knowing they're bi - parental mouth brooders, not sure how to sex them, or about their behavior. Been a while since I've kept a mouth brooder and I feel rusty. Diet seems simple enough, pellets, flakes, worms. Nothing I've seen says when they mature, or about what size they are. Not sure if I'll keep them all, but i'm waiting for them to form their pairs. Anyone know anything?

I don't see how it can swim properly....

Here are some pics(HEAVY) from this summer: June: End of Month: July: August: That Last one is my Fav. The ones for August where taken last week. I went out and removed roughly 35-40 younger ones that where about an inch. A few i am going to add the their cousins in my 10 G. I left over 60 there. Grandma says she would like to Overwiner some in the garage. Most i have seen are males, and the colour on them is amazing. The rest that i have need new homes.

And They're out there! Moved at least 10 guppies a few days ago. New pond plants Grandma got was a red parrots feather and some sort of grass. I took some Java fern, and moss, anubis, and 2 others that i can't remember what they are. So far no losses, not ever the 3 older ones from last year (siblings to those that went out last time). Next time I go out I'll have to get pictures.

Would the 24 inch pond freeze solid??

Warmer weather is a coming, still have a buch of guppies ready to go. New floating plants to be added first, inlcuding some from the tanks to see how it will do out side. Maybe I'll put some Terra Cotta pots in the bottom....