My 140 gallon Misc African tank (Update 12-27-13)

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Ken,  Very nice tank and fish selection.  Question:  is that pea gravel as the substrate ?

[four_by_ken]

Ken,  Very nice tank and fish selection.  Question:  is that pea gravel as the substrate ?

Yup, straight from a landscaping place.  With tax, it was $9 for the entire tanks worth.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

You know it makes for a very nice looking substrate and you can't beat the price...

[Steve]

Nice selection of fish Ken. I really like the dolphins, I plan to get some of those myself once I get the new tank set up, they are a good looking fish

[four_by_ken]

Nice selection of fish Ken. I really like the dolphins, I plan to get some of those myself once I get the new tank set up, they are a good looking fish

Thanks.  I hope everyone continues to get along.

I think I am going to have to take the little Placidochromis Phenochilus out.  It is getting its fins nipped.  I was hoping to get it to grow faster in this tank than the 85 gallon.

[Steve]

How are the blue dolphins far as aggression goes? I want to end up with some this summer but I haven't really done a whole lot of reading up on them at all yet. Are they pretty peaceful fish at all?

[four_by_ken]

How are the blue dolphins far as aggression goes? I want to end up with some this summer but I haven't really done a whole lot of reading up on them at all yet. Are they pretty peaceful fish at all?

They are very active and very peaceful.  Dont seem to stress out anyone else and no one seems to stress them out.

[jcunningham0295]

How are the blue dolphins far as aggression goes? I want to end up with some this summer but I haven't really done a whole lot of reading up on them at all yet. Are they pretty peaceful fish at all?

It depends on the environment and tank setup.  They can be pretty aggressive towards one another.  I have breed this species for many years.  My first quad wasn't too bad, but this group of eight I got in a 125 now can take it out on one another from time to time.  They are very active swimmers.

[Michael Zebrowski]

How are the blue dolphins far as aggression goes? I want to end up with some this summer but I haven't really done a whole lot of reading up on them at all yet. Are they pretty peaceful fish at all?

It depends on the environment and tank setup.  They can be pretty aggressive towards one another.  I have breed this species for many years.  My first quad wasn't two bad, but this group of eight I got in a 125 now can take it out on one another from time to time.  They are very active swimmers.

Yeah, the Blue Dolphins can be unpredictable.  I've had a pair that stayed compatible for years, others that couldn't stand each other, and everything in between.  However, my current young group from Stanrocks is doing great as they start to sex out.  I'm holding on to this group.

[gannmann101]

Looks good ken. Gotta love it when its all fresh and the holly rock is still brite white still.    How's the eureka jake doin?

[four_by_ken]

Looks good ken. Gotta love it when its all fresh and the holly rock is still brite white still.    How's the eureka jake doin?

There's actually a lot of algae staring on the rocks.  I don't mind though.

The Jake's are doing good.  They are in the 85gal tank.

[four_by_ken]

As I was feeding last night, I saw some movement deep down in the middle of the large piece of holy rock, the one with a lot of little holes. 

Looks like one of the fry from the Rusty actually made it!  No idea who the father is, so I was just letting them become fish food.  One little fella didnt want to be eaten!

[four_by_ken]

Just a couple more pictures.

Ahli
Albino Mbuna
Albino and Hongi facing off.  Best shot I could get of them competing for the Rusty's attention.  Even though she is already holding... again.

All cell phone pictures.  I really need to get the real camera out.

[Steve]

Nice Ahli Ken. I just recently go one myself and it's fast becoming one of my favorites. Man you guys are killing me with these iridescent/whitish cichlids. First Blair with the white knight and now you with that cool looking albino. I can never seem to find fish those colors anywhere.

[four_by_ken]

When I brought the Ahli home it was beautiful.  It got picked on when I first put it in the tank.  I was just about to take it out to heal up (just fin damage) and it seemed to subside.

It healed up, but was pale blue.  I regretted getting it for a little while.  Now, the past week it has colored up again great and seems to be right in the middle of everything and not getting picked on at all.

So, hopefully it stays this way.  Its really cool looking.