.... Aquatic Plants I'm currently keeping -

                          List  

   (Scientific name) 1/20/13

Ceratopteris thalictroides

Echinodorus paniculatus

Anubias Lanceolata

Cabomba caroliniana

Egeria densa

Hygrophila difformis

Rotala rotundifolia

Lemna minor

Spirodela polyrhiza

Taxiphyllum barbieri

Nymphoides aquatica

Sagittaria subulata

Vallisneria americana gigantea

Echinodorus palaefolius var. latifolius

....WOW ... lots of FISHTANK NEWS :

Dirt & Biological Substrate for the 70g.

New plants, location and FRY !!!! for the 20g.

+ Free 10g .....

--- just an update - 

50.8 x 27.9 x 33.0 - 10g DIY background

Trying a new substrate .....anyone ever use it ?? info, experience and advise appreciated......... Thanks

http://www.microbelift.com/products/home-aquarium/planted-aqaurium-products/biologically-alive-substrate/

Trying out this NEW substrate Biologically alive for planted aquariums - MICROBLIFT.... tons of macros & micro's,,, Both the 70g and the 20g have been planted for 2 days and so far I'm excited. The initial excess nutrient overload was easily combated with Lemna minor and Hygrophila difformis... and now  the cloudiness is gone....

Spirodela polyrrhiza --- 

--- I'm truly blessed !! Since I've been back into the Aquarist hobby my family has heard nothing but aquarium talk from me . Not only have they been super tolerant but approve, encourage, and support it... so it seems every time my Moms is out doing her shopping she always ends up buying me something for the Tanks.. It's AWESOME !! I am a grown man that gets incredibly excited when (MOMS) says' "oh ya i picked you up something for the aquariums"  It doesn't even matter what it is ... and usually its close or exactly what I would have chosen. The fun and excitement on the drive to my parents house is like Christmas morn. (when your a Kid!) - oh yes I am blessed !! 

CICHLID in PLANTED TANK ??   Yes !!    The trick is to get the tank established with plants first, with a growth rate that is faster than the fish can eat them Once you get that going, you can keep almost anything in a planted tank..+ Adding juvenile cichlids helps too. They acclimate, adjust and become conditioned to live along side plants.  Keep a healthy macro & micro nutrient level so not only the plants can thrive, but to help with algae growth..... " Algae is a good thing in a cichlid tank!"

Hair Algae can be grown in both long and short forms.  It usually anchors itself to rocks and wood and can sometimes grow in clumps over 12 inches long.  African cichlids love to dine on this stuff.  Some hobbyists go as far as to transfer rocks from outdoor “kiddy pools” to their aquariums covered with this algae.  To start a culture of hair algae, attach a clump to a piece of wood or rock with a rubber band somewhere near the top of the aquarium.  In a few weeks, after it “takes root” you can remove the rubber band.  If you find at first that your fish are eating it all before it can spread, you may have to start it in another aquarium, window sill or kiddy pool.   Once you grow enough to reach critical mass, you will have a great source of constant nutrition for your fish.

CICHLIDS

There are over 160 genera and more than 900 species of Cichlids  with newly discovered species reported on a regular basis.This group offers a huge diversity of color, behavior, size, and body shape. Cichlids are widespread throughout the world, including Africa,South America,Asia, Central America, and even North America. All these Cichlids come from only one family, Cichlidae, and thus are separated by the geographical area from which they are found. Most Cichlids kept in captivity come from the Great African Rift Lakes,Lake Malawi or Lake Tanganyika; various African rivers, the Amazon Basin in South America, or Central

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

The Cichlid Family includes a huge, diverse group of fish. Thus, it is difficult to make generalizations about this family. However, it is safe to say that many cichlids have a tendency towards aggressive behavior. This conduct can be attributed to cichlids' highly developed brood care. Other cichlids are shoaling fish which are best kept in groups.

FEEDING:

Since there is such a variety of cichlid species, cichlids have a wide range of feeding habits. However most cichlids have an enormous appetite and are easily fed. 

·  Omnivorous cichlids make up the greatest majority of cichlids. In nature, these fish feed mostly on insects, crustaceans, and worms, but at times also eat plants. Thus in aquaria these species should be offered a mixed diet of live foods, flakes foods, and plant or vegetable matter. Examples of omnivorous cichlids include Cichlasomines, many West African species, Angelfish, andHerosspecies. 

·  Carnivorous cichlids are predatory species which are specialized for eating other fish.Generally these species will eat small tank mates, although not fish of a similar size. In aquaria, carnivorous cichlids can be fed live fish, worms, insects, insect larvae, and crustaceans, but also some will accept pellets, tablets, and large flakes.  Examples of carnivorous cichlids are many Haplochromines, Pike Cichlids (genusCrenicichla), andCyphotilapiaspecies.

·  Herbivorous cichlids are species that prefer to feed on plant matter. These fish will eat live aquarium plants. In aquaria, herbivorous cichlids feed on plant-based flake and pellet foods, plants, and vegetables. Some species will also feed on live foods. Examples of herbivorous cichlids include someTilapiaspecies. 

·  Some species of herbivorous cichlids feed on the thick algae that grows on rocks.Living in the algae are micro-organisms and crustaceans known as Aufwuchs. Types of cichlids

BREEDING    Cichlids have highly developed brood care and reproductive behavior. Nearly all Cichlids lay their eggs on some substrate, whether it be rocks, plants, or sand.Cichlids are now characterized into two breeding groups; Open and Shelter Brooders.

·  Shelter brooders can be divided up into two groups. Cavity brooders and mouth brooders.In general, shelter brooders lay substantially less eggs, usually not more than 300, and have larger more colorful eggs.These fish are easier to sex because males are larger and more colorful.

·  Cavity brooders lay their eggs in caves. The parents participate in brood care and may become aggressive towards other fish while caring for the eggs and the fry. Examples of cavity brooders include Apistogramma, Julidochromis,Neolamprologus, andPelvicachromis.

·  Mouth-brooders are fish that, at some point during brood care, will take their eggs or the fry into their mouths. Mouth-brooders are divided up into two further categories depending on when the parents take the eggs/fry are taken into the mouth.  

Ovophile or "egg-loving" mouth-brooders - The male makes a pit in his territory, where the eggs are laid. The eggs are sucked up into the female's mouth usually, but occasionally, during spawning. After hatching the fry remain in the safety of the mother's mouth until they can fend for themselves. The male, of some of these species, often has colorful, oval-shaped marks on its anal fin.These spots serve an important role in the fertilization of the eggs and are known as egg spots or egg dummies. After the female has laid her eggs and sucks them into her mouth. She sees the eggs spots on the males, and thinking they were eggs she missed, will try to suck them up. At this moment the male releases sperm which the female sucks up into her mouth, thus fertilizing the eggs.

Larvophile or "larvae-loving" mouth-brooders lay their eggs on a substrate.

.....just another example of why "Life" is so interesting !!!! It's the vast amount of diversity in this natural world that fascinates me ....  I've heard evolution described as "a three dimensional chess game, with all the pieces moving at once". I will only define it as "magnificently majestic- gloriously, wondrous beauty " !!

..... In the Lfs Yesterday and once again had to school the girl on some basic FACTS :  African Cichlid come from 3 Rift lakes and tributaries.

- "Cichlids aren't aggressive, they are territorial. Aggression is a response to inadequate territory for their breeding and feeding needs."

Identifying males via egg spot and Yes -- Cichlid are mouth brooders

She thanked me and said " I just learned so much in 5 min."

...... I'm beginning to respect this young women. She's always willing to hear and learn all I have to say while I'm in there. Polite, helpful and now that she knows that I am fairly knowledgeable, approaches me with interest and respect... She is cool !!!