Ram-Ashwin@cs.yale.edu (Ashwin Ram) (05/05/88)
[I'm posting this on behalf of someone who doesn't have write access to this
newsgroup. -- AR.]
Date: Wed, 4 May 88 17:11 MDT
From: MILES%USU.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU
Summary: Request for advice on small Tanganyikan cichlids,
preferably Julidochromis.
I have a question or two about small Tanganyikan cichlids. The local pet
stores just say 'Huh?' and the books don't seem to have the information that I
need. If you could point me to someone who has raised these fish I would be
very gratefull. I have tried to post to alt.aquaria. Our local net.god tells
me that we have a one way usenet feed and he doesn't intent to change it any
time soon. If you feel it is appropriate to post this to alt.aquaria, please
do so.
Environment: The tap water here comes from mountain springs. It is percolated
thru layers of limestone. It is quite hard, slightly alkaline,
and very well buffered. I am dealing with 2 tanks. One is an
old Odell 100 gal (6'x 2'x 2') the other is 50 gal (4'x13"wide x
18" high.) Both have undergravel (UG) filters topped by 2" of
foam topped by 3" of gravel topped by 5"-8" of large rocks. The
UG filters are driven by power heads. Both have healthy growths
of algae.
Background: I have raised fish for 20 years (strange... I don't feel that
old.) I love community tanks. Up till 6 years ago I was trying
some of everything. My tanks were a great lesson in 'survival
of the fittest.' My local retailer LOVED me. Six years ago,
the 100 gal tank had 1 Jack Dempsey, 1 TOUGH convict cichlid,
and a handfull of really MEAN (but pretty) Pseudotropheus
Something_or_others. I realized that there was no chance these
fish would live anything like a normal life cycle. They might
breed, but it wasn't a stable situation. I was having to input
massive amounts of attention (and money) to keep the tanks going.
So, I decided to try to make a stable, interesting, self
contained tank. I seeded my 100 gal tank with a small pleo, some
coolie loaches, 6 Lamprologus brichardi's (lyretails), and 6
Julidochromis (marleri, I think.)
Currently: Mixed results. The tank and the filtration system works well.
All I have to do is change 10% water every 3 or 4 weeks and feed
the fish. The lyretail population is stable at about 15 adults,
10 more juveniles and countless fry. The julies are a bit of a
disapointment. One breeding pair appeared. A big one (4") and
a smaller one (3"). Every 2-3 months, one or two fry appear and
grow up to 2.5" to 3". But, tho there are always 8 to 10 of
these young julies, they never pair off and breed. Sometimes,
two of them seem to be interested, but the big julie always
rushes in and breaks it up.
Questions: I believe that I haven't had as much luck with the julies because
there isn't enough room in my 100 gal tank for more than one
julie territory. Are there other julies that have smaller
territories? The ideal fish would be one where a pair claimed
a territory about 1' square. These ideal fish would also have
to be vigorous enough to claim territory away from breeding
Lyretails. They would also have to like hard water. Is there
a smaller julie that fits this description? My TFH books mention
J ornatus, but my more reputable (and older) books don't. Does
this species fit my bill? Are there other dwarf cichlids that
might do better? Also, I would like to set up my 50 gal tank to
be like my 100 gal tank. Obviously, lyretails would probably be
too big to do this in 50 gal. Does anybody have any suggestions
on SMALL (1" or less when mature) cichlids that might work?
Thanks for your attention. If you have any ideas, please let me know at one of
the addresses below or post to alt.aquaria. Our internet address is kind of
flakey. The local name server seems to come and go...
Miles Johnson
Internet: MILES@USU.USU.EDU "Filter first for substance. Filter
Bitnet: MILES@USU second for significance. These filters
Phone: (801) 750-2415 protect against advertising."
Turtle Mail: Miles Johnson -Zetetic Commentaries
Utah State Univ. UMC 4410
Logan, UTAH 84322 (From David's Sling by Marc Stiegler)