I fed my fish quickly this morning and noticed that one of the daffodils was not out eating the food. I didn't have time to look for it, though. Hope I didn't loose a fish already.
In other news, both n. caudos were out and about this morning. The one in the shell was probably just sleeping at first (because the lights were off before I started to clean the tanks) and then stressed by the activity involved in the water change last night.
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Monday, May 10, 2004
Cleaned the 55 Gallon
This was my first cleaning of the tank since adding the new fish. Up until this point all of the fish seem healthy and to be getting along.
The two daffodils don't seem to like each other, but the aquarium is fairly large for the two of them, so they don't seem to be tearing each other apart. I'm betting they are both males. One of them was looking a little like it had a sunken stomach and a few tattered fins when it first arrived in the tank, but after a week it seems to look normal and healthy.
The j. reganis seem to like each other quite a bit. I am betting I have a male and female there and that they have probably paired up. The same holds true for the n. caudopunctatus. Tonight before the cleaning one of them was even hiding in a snail shell with the other close by. After the cleaning was complete, the caudo. in the shell still did not emerge even after all of the other fish had come out from their caves. So, I am hoping that there are eggs in there (and not that I have sick fish on my hands!).
The water before the change was nearly perfect -- pH: 8.0, GH: 7 degrees, ammonia: 0 ppm, nitrite: 0 ppm, temp: 76 degrees. I measured again after the water change and everything remained the same.
I drained about 16 gallons from the tank (using siphon and buckets) and replaced it with water using my Python. While the water filled, I added two teaspoons of stresscoat and two teaspoons of baking soda (to bring up the pH). And that's all for tonight!
The two daffodils don't seem to like each other, but the aquarium is fairly large for the two of them, so they don't seem to be tearing each other apart. I'm betting they are both males. One of them was looking a little like it had a sunken stomach and a few tattered fins when it first arrived in the tank, but after a week it seems to look normal and healthy.
The j. reganis seem to like each other quite a bit. I am betting I have a male and female there and that they have probably paired up. The same holds true for the n. caudopunctatus. Tonight before the cleaning one of them was even hiding in a snail shell with the other close by. After the cleaning was complete, the caudo. in the shell still did not emerge even after all of the other fish had come out from their caves. So, I am hoping that there are eggs in there (and not that I have sick fish on my hands!).
The water before the change was nearly perfect -- pH: 8.0, GH: 7 degrees, ammonia: 0 ppm, nitrite: 0 ppm, temp: 76 degrees. I measured again after the water change and everything remained the same.
I drained about 16 gallons from the tank (using siphon and buckets) and replaced it with water using my Python. While the water filled, I added two teaspoons of stresscoat and two teaspoons of baking soda (to bring up the pH). And that's all for tonight!
Sunday, May 02, 2004
A Cichlid Wiki
Though it doesn't use the name wiki anywhere on the site, http://www.cichlids.com/ appears to be one. There is an "edit this page" link on every species page and it bills itself as "a community-project, featuring a wealth of information about cichlids contributed by cichlid-keepers for cichlid-keepers. "
Cool idea and nice work to whoever created the site.
And I found out here that j. regani can reach 15 cm (or about 6 inches) in captivity. So, I'm starting to feel calmer about this fish. Though 6 inches is still pretty large for a 55 gallon.
Cool idea and nice work to whoever created the site.
And I found out here that j. regani can reach 15 cm (or about 6 inches) in captivity. So, I'm starting to feel calmer about this fish. Though 6 inches is still pretty large for a 55 gallon.
The new fish have arrived for the 55 Gallon
We just got back from Uncle Ned's Fish Factory with some nice looking fish. We're starting with two Neolamprologus caudopunctatus, two Julidochromis regani kipili, and two Neolamprologus "daffodils." They are all under two inches to start with, so should not put too many demands on the tank and I think they are hardy fish.
So, for the most part I am happy. I wish I had done my research a little more closely on the Julidochromis species before I went, though. I thought most species remained below 6 inches (really my maximum size for a 55 gallon -- and even that is a little large.) But according to the Baensch Atlas, J. regani can get up to 12"!! I am hoping that is a typo. If it isn't, then I am not happy. I'll have to trade them in eventually, I guess. I like to think I can accomodate a fish during it's entire lifespan. But foot long fish are far too big for a 55 gallon.
So, for the most part I am happy. I wish I had done my research a little more closely on the Julidochromis species before I went, though. I thought most species remained below 6 inches (really my maximum size for a 55 gallon -- and even that is a little large.) But according to the Baensch Atlas, J. regani can get up to 12"!! I am hoping that is a typo. If it isn't, then I am not happy. I'll have to trade them in eventually, I guess. I like to think I can accomodate a fish during it's entire lifespan. But foot long fish are far too big for a 55 gallon.
The Night before adding fish to 55 Gallon
I just did a 90% water change on the aquarium. Before the change the pH read 7.8 and the nitrite and ammonia levels were at 0. After the water change, the pH was the same, and I tested the GH which was 6 degrees GH. I think that is a little on the low side for rift lake cichlids, but I may be able to bring it up with the coral that I have added to the filter. I also added 1 teaspoon of baking power and will add more in the morning if the GH seems too low still.
So, I think all in all the tank is ready for some fish. I plan to head up to Uncle Ned's Fish Factory in Millis, MA around 11:00 AM tomorrow. My son and possibly my wife will join me. Can't wait to finally have a tank going again!!
So, I think all in all the tank is ready for some fish. I plan to head up to Uncle Ned's Fish Factory in Millis, MA around 11:00 AM tomorrow. My son and possibly my wife will join me. Can't wait to finally have a tank going again!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)