herefishiefishie

I will try & find the number of a breeder who lives in Logan. Frenchy

Maybe the shubunkins, comets have been known to attack Fantails. My first thought was the shark. Frenchy

Sorry, I don't know what type of fish you have? :roll: Frenchy

ooppsss :oops: :roll: Frenchy

hello Dee, As the others said with the water changes. Also feed the fish only every other day & small amounts. Never clean the filter under tap water. Add some salt, 1 tbsp per 60 litres. What part of brissy are you from? If you have any queries I help Aquariums Alive(Gold Coast) from time to time, give them a tingle. Ammonia & Ammonium: The first stage of the nitrogen cycle, in aquarium water, begins when proteins break down into ammonia. Proteins are found in fish wastes, uneaten food, and other decaying organic matter (detritus from plants or dead fish). The conversion or decomposition of these materials begins the necessary and natural cycle of the home aquarium. However, if left unchecked, this cycle can be one of the most detrimental. Ammonia is easily and rapidly dissolved in water and can quickly cause a variety of problems. Ammonia is readily found in a pH level over 7.0 (neutral) and increases as the water’s pH and temperature increases. Ammonia produces low levels of ammonium, a relatively non-toxic chemical. Ammonium is predominantly present in lower pH environments (6.9 or less) and doesn’t carry the multitude of problems associated with the more toxic, ammonia. However, it should still be kept in check. Due to high salinity levels, ammonia is 30% less toxic in salt water. Ammonia contributes to a large number of physiological problems in fish and invertebrates. Some of these are: 1) The reduction of hemoglobin’s ability to carry oxygen to the blood. 2) An increase in respiration activity contributing to more ammonia buildup. 3) The irritation of gills caused by the deterioration of the mucus layer. This leads to swelling and in some cases the formation of new cells on the lamellae (known as hyperplasia). This further impairs the up take of oxygen. High levels of ammonia can also lead to the sloughing off of the mucus membrane on both the skin and the intestines creating lesions or external bleeding and internal bleeding of the organs. The brain and central nervous system can also be permanently damaged. Stress related illnesses accompany high levels of ammonia and poor water quality. If left unchecked, such conditions can prove fatal to your fish population. Frenchy

There are no real problems if you mix & match right. Take into account size potential, agression of species, diets, how they breed..... Alot of fish in tangy & Malawi have similar shapes, eating habits......never mix trophies with zebras, fights galore as an example. :evil: Alot of people here mix mbuna with frontosa. I have electric yellows in with Calvus...I never used to mix & match. But limited tank space, time...the yellows stay away from the Alto's when they are in the mood. Cichlids from one part of malawi would never meet some from other parts of malawi. Frenchy

Electric yellows are docile for a cichlid. Frenchy

The pic comes up here, from 2 different computers. I moved babies & parents yesterday to a 2 footer. I think there are only about 10 youngins though. At least I know I have a breeding pair. Frenchy

Finally!!!!!! I had a look in their tank today & noticed about 10 little babies hanging around the entrance of a shell. I have tried a couple of times to breed these guys over the last few years :roll: so I am stoked. One problem being that they are in with expert baby snacthers.(Comps & Calvus) & I can't save them till tomorrow, the parents are keeping them all away & I'll leave the lights on tonight. If I get time I may take pics, the way I post them up won't be able to see the babies anyway. Heres a pic of one from an internet site I lkie these guys, always on show, full of energy... Frenchy

no Frenchy

ph around 6.8 Age is a toughy in terms of age, 18 months to 2 years. Size seems to be about 30cm. I had a customer(first time I have met him) who came in the shop yesterday who mentioned amongst other things that he was trying to breed his ghosties, (caught my attention)he has a female about a foot long & a smaller male. She has droped eggs before.(got me excited) He was away for 3 weeks, flatmate left the light on whole time, he mentioned the he had lots of algae growing, did a huge water change, & the ghosties were doing the "roll", red flashes....female harassing the male, so I gave a copy of the above. Hopefully the male is old enough fingers crossed. So I am hoping he changes the subtract, as he only has sand/small pebbles as the substract. Frenchy

Here in South east Queenslland. Breeders sell Black Calvus for $15 to $20. Retail for $35 to $45. White Calvus are very hard to get, retail for $180 at 3cm. Breeders if you find one sell for $80 to $100 each. The trouble with Alto's is the length of time for them to mature to breed & fry take about 6 months just to get to 3cm. :roll: White Calvus(I have 3) they're my babies :lol: don't tell my border collie's, oh & whats her name, oohhh the misses. ps;how can I make my pictures bigger? :-? frenchy

Some more pics, was practicing again :lol: had to use smaller isze as running out of room, but I think I am getting the jist .... White Calvus Electric Yellow Albino Electric Yellow(won't put money on that yet...) Frenchy

:evil: Ring up RSPCA, or whatever it is there. How ####### cruel. So when will the fish heal?? :evil: Frenchy

Tend to do there own thing, until they are in the mood, usually the male is the more "keen" one. Sounds like humans. :lol: Frenchy

I am going to take the advice of joining photo bucket Frenchy

The pics didnt work, i seemed to do it right?? Thanks for the advice everyone, now the pictures are small :roll: :lol: Frenchy

Foreground Gold Comp, background mbita pearl comp,(dwarf) (probably the uglyist of the alto's, but i dont tell him that, I think the blue grey look is cool) :lol: Yellow Calvus with sumbu dwarf comp in the background Frenchy

Yes I suffer from Altomania :roll: Most of the altos are 1 to 2 years old. Be great viewing in another years time, once they get there full colour & adultshape. Gold Head comp at front. Spotted Comp Mutwonbwe(spelling?) Neolamprologus caudpunctatus & firefin Comp(still a juvie) Crosses fingers,lol Frenchy ps;maybe I should go to photobucket

You should have seen "all" the other pics :lol: its a hard caper trying to take photos in a tank. :-? Frenchy

Bit modest with the pics, they're great pics. Very colourful Krib too, I'd say a male too. Frenchy

Thanks for that Bill, I'm still trying to get the jist of the camera. :oops: The calvus is easy to shoot, as they hover, but for the yellows...they can't sit still. :roll: I have some fish at my mates work & more I have in diffferent tanks, so hopefully be adding pics when I get time. Frenchy

They should of advised something more hardy like mollies,platies....neons are no good for cycling a tank. Frenchy

I set up my 6 footer 2 weeks ago & bought my first digi camera the other day, virgin pic poster :oops: My White calvus, still a young fella. Some youngins, Electric yellows, albino Electric yellows, p.sp acei"white tail" A.calvus"pearly" & a couple more E.yellows. Hope it works, ps;anyone with good tips on taking photos? 8) Frenchy

Ditto, especially if they have formed as a pair. Frenchy