MJN CICHLIDS

NEW TANK SETUP

2010-10-11T01:01:00.000-04:00

This is my updated African Cichlid aquarium. There are currently 3 blue spot lights in the water facing the back of the tank. They are positioned in a way to cause the current to be reflected on the wall behind the tank. As well as the blue spots, there is also a red spot light placed in the rocks pointing up with the bubbles to give the illusion of an underwater eruption.

SPOTLIGHT: HEMICHROMIS BIMACULATUS

2010-05-12T12:50:00.000-04:00

Nick Names: Jewel Cichlid, Red Jewel Cichlid, Blue Jewel Cichlid

Color: Red with glitter like specs

Type: African cichlid

Maximum Size: 5 Inches

Natural Habitat: Rivers and Streams in western Africa

Water Temperature & Type: 70-78F pH 6.5-7.5

Lets just call the Jewel Cichlid the Deceiver Cichlid. This Western African fish is as naughty as it is beautiful. If you plan on having multiple species of fish in the tank, beware, this precious jewel may not agree with your treasures. Red Jewels are known for becoming extremely territorial, specifically when they have met their partner and start raising little gems of their own.

Males generally have blue sparkling.
Females generally are darker red and have a larger girth.

South American Teacup Stingray

2010-03-28T18:33:00.000-04:00

SPOTLIGHT: PSEUDOTROPHEUS ACEI

2010-03-04T13:13:00.000-05:00

Pseudotropheus Acei, also known as the Yellow-Tailed Acei, originates from the famous African waters of Lake Malawi. Yellow-Tails are accustomed to temperatures ranging from 73-82 degrees F. Rock caves and a sandy bottom is ideal living space for this bold, purple fish. A beneficial tip is to stock your tank with similar Malawi mbuna fish. This particular cichlid is moderately aggressive, so he or she will do fairly well with other fish of the same or similar temperament.

NEW ROCK SETUP

2010-02-06T14:19:00.000-05:00

SPOTLIGHT: RED ZEBRA CICHLID FRY

2010-02-05T01:09:00.001-05:00

SPOTLIGHT: STRAWBERRY PEACOCK (YOUNG)

2010-02-05T01:05:00.001-05:00

SPOTLIGHT: ALBINO PEACOCK

2010-02-05T00:45:00.000-05:00

Beautiful Albino Peacock. This type of peacock is a hybrid.

NEW VIDEO

2009-12-26T22:30:00.000-05:00

For a bigger screen and better quality, view on youtube.com - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4LNkryZnRk

SPOTLIGHT: TROPHEUS DUBOISI

2009-12-24T18:16:00.000-05:00

Hailing from Lake Tanganyika, Tropheus Duboisi was one of the first of the Tropheus group to be brought overseas to the United States. In their natural habitat, you can find them from as shallow as 15 feet to 50 feet deep. Their desired dwelling place is found in tight rocky areas. These type conditions provide the safety and security they feel most comfortable in.

Interesting fact* - Do to the short intestinal track, Proteins cannot be part of the Duboisi diet. If consumed, sickness and death are high possibilities. With this in mind, provide this species of fish with a strict vegetable diet.

Tropheus Duboisi are colony fish. They develop groups and once they are established, don't incorporate other outside Tropheus fish. When putting together a tank, buy in bulk, which will be very expensive. fry can cost up to $20 each, while adults can cost up to $40 each.

Black with spots- Fry (spots can range from white to bluish white)
Black body, Whitish/yellow ring around body/ blue face- adult

SPOTLIGHT: STRAWBERRY PEACOCK CICHLID

2009-12-22T00:54:00.000-05:00

Aulonocara hybrids

SPOTLIGHT: SCIAENOCHROMIS FRYERI UPDATE

2009-12-22T00:51:00.000-05:00

I bought a new Metalic Blue Cichlid today. He is about 5-6 inches long.

AURATIS CICHLID FRY

2009-12-21T01:46:00.000-05:00

About a month ago, my two Auratis Cichlids had several fry. After the mother (mouth brooder) protected the fry for about a week, the babies got out of her mouth and all were killed. Fortunately, one got away and went under the radar. For about three weeks, this little guy lived in the big rocks and navigated throughout the whole tank without ever leaving tight spaces. after spotting him, it took me about 4 days of trying to successfully get him out of the tank and in to a netted crib in the baby tank. He's getting much bigger already!

These are the parents. Yellow (female) Gray (male)

"Rocky" the survivor

SPOTLIGHT CYPHOTILAPIA FRONTOSA

2009-12-18T22:46:00.000-05:00

A FEW SPECIES OF FISH

2009-12-14T10:30:00.000-05:00

BABY PINK CONVICTS!

2009-12-11T01:23:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: 10 GALLON & 55 GALLON

2009-12-10T03:22:00.000-05:00

SPOTLIGHT: AULONOCARA STUARTGRANTI "MALERI"

2009-12-10T01:22:00.000-05:00

The Aulonocara Stuartgranti is part of the Haplochromis group. It originates from Lake Malawi where it digs in the sand for its daily food. A diver looking to locate this eye catching fish will find it by Namalenje, Nakantenga, Maleri, Mumbo, Nankoma, and Chidunga rocks. The Gold Maleri loves to be by rocks, but any observer of this species will take notice to its love of open water.

Ever wonder what sex your Gold Maleri is? Males are known to develope an amazing hue of blue on the face, slight appearance in the body, and touches on the dorsal fins as well as a yellow dominated body. Females are less flamboyant with brownish, silver, and gray coloration.

pH 7.2-8.2
Temperature 73-80 F

SPOTLIGHT: SCIAENOCHROMIS FRYERI

2009-12-10T00:36:00.000-05:00

This impressive metallic, blue cichlid is an amazing accent to any fish tank. Hailing from Lake Malawi, the carnivorous cichlid is easy to take care of. When smaller, the Electric Blue Cichlid is timid, but as it grows, so does the aggression. Once the fish has adapted to the aquarium, watch as he or she discovers and establishes his or her territory.

pH 7.8-8.6
Temperature 76-82 F

SPOTLIGHT: HAPLOCHROMIS OBLIQUIDENS

2009-12-10T00:02:00.000-05:00

This beautiful cichlid calls Lake Victoria and several satellite lakes home. In the past decade, the number of Obliquidens found in the wild has declined, causing concern among fish enthusiasts. This sought after fish is generally peaceful and adds a wonderful touch of color to any aquarium.

alkaline, moderately hard water
pH 7.5-8.5
Temperature 76-82

SPOTLIGHT: RUBIN RED PEACOCK

2009-12-05T21:36:00.000-05:00

Rubin Red Peacocks, one of the brackish water world’s most beautiful fish, reaches a length of about 5 inches. An aspect of the Red Rubin that makes it so desirable for any fish enthusiast is the fact that this particular fish adapts very quickly to any new aquarium. Though this type of fish is beautiful, the brighter red colorations are genetically altered to achieve the sharp tones. The massive inbreeding was carried out in Germany to develop the gorgeous colorations. These fish are originally from Lake Malawi.

UPDATED AQUARIUM

2009-12-05T21:09:00.000-05:00

SPOTLIGHT: LAKE VICTORIA

2009-11-19T11:01:00.001-05:00

Part of the African Great Lakes, Lake Victoria is the largest tropical lake in the world. It is the third largest fresh water lake. Lake Victoria was named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. John Hanning Speke named the lake after her when he fist located the tropical shores.
Three countries share ownership of Lake Victoria: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania. The deepest part of this lake touches down 280 ft, but has an average depth of about 66 ft.
Like Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria is a cichlid breeding ground. There are over 200 species of cichlids living in Lake Victoia. Unfortunately, the lake has not been widely explored, therefore many believe a high level of species has not been identified in the waters. Many of the cichlids found in this lake dwell along the shallow shorelines, but like Lake Tanganyika cichlids, a high percentage are enthusiastic about open waters and sandy bottoms. If you ever have the opportunity to explore this lake, you will find a dramatic array of colorful fish swimming alongside you. The cichlids of Lake Victoria have adapted to the environment they were provided.

ph 7.2-8.6
74-78 degrees

SPOTLIGHT: LAKE TANGANYIKA

2009-11-18T15:48:00.001-05:00

Lake Tanganyika, like Lake Malawi, is a record setting lake. It is accepted as the second largest freshwater lake in the world. It is the second deepest lake, ranking in just after Lake Baikal located in Siberia. Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania are all home to the waters' edge of this massive body. Water from Lake Tanganyika flows in to the Congo River, which eventually pours out in to the Atlantic Ocean. Lake Tanganyika is about 45 miles wide. It is estimated that this lake is 9-12 million years old.

Besides its size being a major contribution to its worldwide fame, Lake Tanganyika draws in may fish enthusiasts by sheltering over 250 species of cichlids. Majority of the native fish flourish in the open waters and along the shallow coastlines.

Water conditions in Lake Tanganyika:

76 to 82 degrees

pH level 7.3-8.0

SPOTLIGHT: LAKE MALAWI

2009-11-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

Lake Malawi showcases a vastly diverse amount of fish. There are more species of fish that call this lake home than any other lake in the world. Lake Malawi is located in eastern Africa in the East African Rift valley. It touches Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. The depths of Lake Malawi are remarkable! It is the second deepest lake in Africa, the third largest lake on the continent, and the eight largest lake in the entire world. Lake Malawi is approximately 40,000 years old.
What makes Lake Malawi famous? The wide variety of Cichlids bearing the most colorful arrangement found in a fresh water lake! Two well known groups of fish in Lake Malawi are the open water dwelling fish who love to swim in open sand beds and roll around in the white ground covering. the other, mbuna, are the rock dwelling fish who navigate tight tunnel systems and dig out rocky cave habitats. A distinction that can be seen in the genders of the two types of fish is the coloration. Sand dwelling fish have a very clear separation between physical characteristics in the sexes. Males display bright and bold coloration, while the female is generally a more gray tone. Mbunas share a bright coloration in both males and females.
Water in Lake Malawi consists of this:
alkaline with a pH of 7.7 – 8.6
carbonate hardness of 107 – 142 mg L^-1
temperature 24 – 29 °C (75 – 84 °F)