Weird I just found a reference, overlooked by myself many times, to an another Sunshine Peacock ... grr. I wish I would have found this sooner. Things would have been a lot easier. Check out http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1409 and hit the drop down box and select maturing male.
Mystery solved ... I think
This cichlid is not a Sunshine Peacock
I learn more each time I try to confirm what I have in my tanks. The local fish store sold me a fish and called it a Aulonocara baenschi, common name as they called it a Benga Regal and I guess also called a Sunshine Peacock. Now maybe there are Sunshine Peacocks that look similar or even very similar to what i have but i do not think this is what I have at the moment. Here is a picture of what i have:
This fish for one is not yellow, or at least not a bright vibrant yellow like many of the sunshine peacocks I find online are, http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/baenschi. The previously linked page has many pictures of baenschi that vary a little but all of them have something in common. Their heads are not completely blue, my fish differs in that respect:
So I think this fish is more likely to be a Blue Neon, a Aulonocara stuartgranti (Chiwindi) the following links provide some online examples of the fish.
http://www.livefish.com.au/index.php?main_page=popup_
Same picture at another site, under the same name...
http://www.livefishdirect.com/store.php?fid=493
There is one problem with my theory the Blue Neon has blue fins, our fish does not. Maybe this is a color variant found in fish stores from selective breeding, who knows ... but I think I am not going to call our fish a Sunshine Peacock.
Here are a couple other pictures of our fish ..
http://www.livefish.com.au/index.php?main_page=popup_
Same picture at another site, under the same name...
http://www.livefishdirect.com/store.php?fid=493
There is one problem with my theory the Blue Neon has blue fins, our fish does not. Maybe this is a color variant found in fish stores from selective breeding, who knows ... but I think I am not going to call our fish a Sunshine Peacock.
Here are a couple other pictures of our fish ..
I don't know what it is... looks like an orange Sunshine with an all blue head :(
Maingano Mommy, Day 18
Our Melanchromis cyaneorhabdos spit her fry some time last night. She was promptly removed from the fry tank this morning when we noticed how hungry she really was. I noticed something was wrong when she slammed into the side of the aquarium while trying to eat one of the fry. Yep she was trying to eat them. I have to assume that she got a few, but not many, these little Cichlids can move. I estimate about 20 - 25 fry survived last night's hunt.
The fry now battle for territory and have even started eating the veggie flake I feed our adult Cichlids. There is a noticeable difference in color between them. Many are spotted, some are quite bland. A couple have a shimmer of blue on their dorsal fins. They are already quite curious add like to inspect any fingers that get too close to the aquarium's glass. I don't know how quickly they will grow but for now they are about 6 - 7mm standard. It will be interesting to see when they get their color...
Video of the little buggers...
The fry now battle for territory and have even started eating the veggie flake I feed our adult Cichlids. There is a noticeable difference in color between them. Many are spotted, some are quite bland. A couple have a shimmer of blue on their dorsal fins. They are already quite curious add like to inspect any fingers that get too close to the aquarium's glass. I don't know how quickly they will grow but for now they are about 6 - 7mm standard. It will be interesting to see when they get their color...
Video of the little buggers...
Cichlid List Update
Here is an updated Cichlid listing, just a few additions including some common names. Counts that went down are blue, counts that went up are red.
The 75:
Metriaclima lombardoi (1m)(1f) [Kenyi]
Metriaclima estherae (Orange) (1) [Orange Zebra]
Metriaclima estherae (OB Blue) (1) [Orange Blotch Zebra] [Blueberry]
Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos (10) [Electric BLue Johanni] [Maingano]
Melanochromis hybrid? Pseudotropheus ornatus? (1)
Pseudotropheus crabro (1f)(1m) [Bumblebee]
Pseudotropheus socolofi (1m) or possibly Metriaclima estherae (Blue) (1m) [Blue Zebra]
Pseudotropheus sp. "Elongatus Ruarwe" (1m) [Jewel Spot]
Pseudotropheus sp. "Elongatus Chewere" (3)
Labidochromis caeruleus (1)
The 20:
Astatotilapia nubila (1m) (2f) []
Aulonocara baenschi (1m) (TEMPORARY!!) [Benga Regal Peacock]
The 10, Grow out:
empty, but not for long
The 75:
Metriaclima lombardoi (1m)(1f) [Kenyi]
Metriaclima estherae (Orange) (1) [Orange Zebra]
Metriaclima estherae (OB Blue) (1) [Orange Blotch Zebra] [Blueberry]
Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos (10) [Electric BLue Johanni] [Maingano]
Melanochromis hybrid? Pseudotropheus ornatus? (1)
Pseudotropheus crabro (1f)(1m) [Bumblebee]
Pseudotropheus socolofi (1m) or possibly Metriaclima estherae (Blue) (1m) [Blue Zebra]
Pseudotropheus sp. "Elongatus Ruarwe" (1m) [Jewel Spot]
Pseudotropheus sp. "Elongatus Chewere" (3)
Labidochromis caeruleus (1)
The 20:
Astatotilapia nubila (1m) (2f) []
Aulonocara baenschi (1m) (TEMPORARY!!) [Benga Regal Peacock]
The 10, Grow out:
empty, but not for long
Maingano Mommy, Day 13
Nothing to say really, just a picture to post. A Melanchromis cyaneorhabdos cichlid holding at day 13. Less egg and more fish in her mouth at this point. Expecting new fish within the next few days, although some sites state it could take as long as 21 days total holding. New tank is ready, just waiting.
***
Maingano, still a mommy?
Well I am pleased to announce that our Melanchromis cyaneorhabdos, I call her Big Mama, has decided to forgo eating and carry her eggs like a good Cichlid. We are at day 11 and she still looks ok ... I expected that she would look skinny by now, but no. I can hardly notice a difference, she has plenty of energy and has no trouble clearing her niche of rock of unwanted guests. Here are a couple pictures, look close at the first one, after clicking for the larger version ...
... I think the eggs have eyes.
... I think the eggs have eyes.
... and Big Daddy
A couple non-related pictures just for fun.
Male and Female Astatotilapia nubilus
... and one of our Pseudotropheus chewere.
Well that is it for today...
***
Maingano is a Mommy, almost
Well ... time to setup another tank. One of the Mainganos is holding... I know it is not a great pick but she hides a lot now, and i am no photographer... The peach items in her mouth are eggs, in about 14 days I expect quite a few new fish. Unless of course she eats them :(
***
Sunshine Peacock
This post is just a picture of an ok looking Sunshine Peacock, well actually, it may just be the best looking Sunshine ever!!! This peacock measures in at just over four inches. It's color improves every day. In the background are my male and female Nublia. Click the following for a larger picture...
***
Cichlid, a Uganda Fire Red? No, ...
A recent LFS purchase netted me a trio, one male and two female, of Uganada Fire Red. Otherwise known as Haplochromis (Paralabidochromis) sp. "fire". Now that I have had the fish for some time I am certain, although not quite completely, that this fish is not what it was sold as. How could this have happened?
Well quite easily, the male of this species changes color more often than I do socks. It is actually hard to believe. The male if not feeling quite sure of himself will get rather bland and sad looking. Being an "aggressive" Victorian it all but turned female, buried itself in the sand and died when I dropped it in my Mbuna tank. Not as aggressive as I was told and it surely doesn't have the same diet if what I read is true. Mixed in with Mbunas his color went to something like a female with too much blush, but very similar to a lighter Uganda fire. The following link is a small picture of a Uganda fire:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1552
... This is not what I have at the moment. Here are two pictures to show what my male looks like. Two, because it hides a lot and I cant get a good picture:
Ok, this has to be what others are calling an Astatotilapia nubila. Here are links to various pictures supporting what I know to be true, so ha!
http://www.ciklid.org/artregister/image_art.php?image=A_Nubila2-Albin-Ekenberg.jpg
http://www.african-cichlid.com/Nubila8205.jpg (lips)
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1557 (This page also states it is an incectivore)
And for those who are wondering what they look like, here is one of the females:
cya
Well quite easily, the male of this species changes color more often than I do socks. It is actually hard to believe. The male if not feeling quite sure of himself will get rather bland and sad looking. Being an "aggressive" Victorian it all but turned female, buried itself in the sand and died when I dropped it in my Mbuna tank. Not as aggressive as I was told and it surely doesn't have the same diet if what I read is true. Mixed in with Mbunas his color went to something like a female with too much blush, but very similar to a lighter Uganda fire. The following link is a small picture of a Uganda fire:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1552
... This is not what I have at the moment. Here are two pictures to show what my male looks like. Two, because it hides a lot and I cant get a good picture:
Head (nice lips)
Tail
Ok, this has to be what others are calling an Astatotilapia nubila. Here are links to various pictures supporting what I know to be true, so ha!
http://www.ciklid.org/artregister/image_art.php?image=A_Nubila2-Albin-Ekenberg.jpg
http://www.african-cichlid.com/Nubila8205.jpg (lips)
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1557 (This page also states it is an incectivore)
And for those who are wondering what they look like, here is one of the females:
Well, this is actually the lighter male look, the "I'm not feeling so tough today" look, the females have less green, no red and no blue. As much as this fish can change its appearance I can understand how it could be misidentified. I am actually glad I got what I did though.
cya
Cichlid Species Listing By Tank
Here is a listing of the Cichlids I have for now. I will be adding more to the 75 soon, assuming I can find something that can take the aggression the current fish exhibit.
The 75:
Astatotilapia nubila (1m) (2f)
The 75:
- Metriaclima lombardoi (1)
- Metriaclima estherae (Orange) (1)
- Metriaclima estherae (OB Blue) (1)
- Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos (11)
- Pseudotropheus crabro (1)
- Pseudotropheus socolofi (1m) or possibly Metriaclima estherae (Blue) (1m)
- Pseudotropheus sp. "Elongatus Ruarwe" (1m)
- Pseudotropheus sp. "Elongatus Chewere" (3)
- Labidochromis caeruleus (1)
Astatotilapia nubila (1m) (2f)
Blueberry Zebra Cichlid Video
Well here goes ... trying to add a video. This is of my little Blueberry Zebra Cichlid grazing, enjoy
Purchase results
I was not able to test the water ... I was too excited and forgot. I got the quantity of fish I ordered. I in fact received not only the correct number for each species but one extra labeled freebie. Live Fish Direct really came through for me here. But, some of the 2" - 3" Premium fish we less than two inches and less than premium. Was I happy overall, I guess. Ordering a specific gender was interesting. The shipper had to have made the best guess possible, it would be problematic at best to vent a 1.5" fish. Three of the Mainganos were small and none were larger than advertised. Some fin damage is to be expected for $5.00 each and at least half of the Mainganos are really quite nice. One of the larger Mainganos was very nice, I hope a female. I have to be reasonable, I did not ask for a definition of premium before I purchased the fish and more than half were at least 2".
So first off Brutus my Scofoli went on full tilt as soon as I floated the bags, which were surprisingly small, not a complaint since the fish arrived alive, just surprising. He attacked the bags happily. Once the fish were dumped in he decided to claim half the tank to himself. This was even with the lights off for introductions. There have since been twitching displays, fights and territory disputes but no casualties. After a day things have calmed down a little ... Brutus shown first below still owns the left half of a 75 gallon tank though!
Here are some pictures and a little video of my new Blueberry Zebra, named Opal.
So first off Brutus my Scofoli went on full tilt as soon as I floated the bags, which were surprisingly small, not a complaint since the fish arrived alive, just surprising. He attacked the bags happily. Once the fish were dumped in he decided to claim half the tank to himself. This was even with the lights off for introductions. There have since been twitching displays, fights and territory disputes but no casualties. After a day things have calmed down a little ... Brutus shown first below still owns the left half of a 75 gallon tank though!
Here are some pictures and a little video of my new Blueberry Zebra, named Opal.
Oh darn i dont know how to add a video yet ... cya
My fish have arrived ...
... and yes they did arrive just before 10:30. I had the box in hand before the FedEx truck even started to move. More details to follow, pics as well. Was I happy with what was in the box? Well, more on that later.
Soon, very soon
Very soon now the Cichlids will arrive, I wonder if they will arrive before 10:30 like they say it will...
Mar 9, 2010 8:28 AM On FedEx vehicle for delivery LITTLETON, CO
Mar 9, 2010 8:28 AM On FedEx vehicle for delivery LITTLETON, CO
Online Cichlid Purchase Arrives Tomorrow!!
I placed and order for some Mbuna Cichlids last week. They should arrive tomorrow by 10:30 according to the FedEx site, they shipped out today from Utah I think. I have seen reviews of Live Fish Direct on forums and such, most were happy with what they received. So here is what i am going to do:
• Document everything with pictures for all to see
• Test the water the fish arrive in ... to the best of my ability ... just to see what I find
• Document the condition of the fish, more pictures
• Check to see if I get what I ordered (see below)
• Generally make a big event of the whole thing
• Provide a general rating of my experience ordering fish online, my first time here
I ordered the following:
I realize the links may not last long but for now this should do...
More to follow when i receive the order tomorrow!!!
• Document everything with pictures for all to see
• Test the water the fish arrive in ... to the best of my ability ... just to see what I find
• Document the condition of the fish, more pictures
• Check to see if I get what I ordered (see below)
• Generally make a big event of the whole thing
• Provide a general rating of my experience ordering fish online, my first time here
I ordered the following:
| Premium (2" - 3") - Elongatus Jewel Spot | one Male |
| Premium (2" - 3") - Blueberry OB Zebra | one Male |
| Premium (2" - 3") - Maingano | two Males |
| Premium (2" - 3") - Maingano | six Females |
I realize the links may not last long but for now this should do...
More to follow when i receive the order tomorrow!!!
Posted from my Blackberry
Well this is pretty cool. I can post photos from my blackberry... this little guy is in my 75G tank. It is a 3 inch EBJ and he likes to just chill ... anyway, more fun later, i may actually do something with this blog. Who knows.