who turned on the lights?

[GaryofMontreal]

I posted a picture I thought was nice last week. It was a female P taeniatus from Muyuka, wild-caught. Tonight, she turned on the colours and started courting the male. The flash actually ate some of the intensity of her colours, but I thought people might like to see what I'm seeing...2971

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[Montreal Apisto]

Looks great.Let me know when you have some for sale

George

[CACAdmin]

She's a beauty. Love the colors. I'm sure the male will be unable to resist :wink: ... which means there ought to be a bunch of fry to look after before long.

[GaryofMontreal]

It's interesting because there is very little variation among individuals in these wild location importations, but in a region the collector gets the fish, there are 'sub-localities'. Moliwe is a well known taeniatus, from down the road from these Muyukas. I've seen three different Moliwes in the 18 years I've chased after these fish. They've all bred true. The differences are minor, but present.
My last foray into Muyuka gave me the same fish, but I don't recall the intensity of black on the back.
I really need to win a lottery and set up a high-tech, self running fish-palace. You know, central filtration, easy water changing, unlimited space, unlimited learning.
I went to the last Montreal Aquarium Society meeting and met a forestry engineer who cheerily offered me contacts in Cameroon so I could get permission to collect in commercialized forest areas. That's a gifts from the gods type thing, except I'm not sure I can afford a trip to the airport, let alone a plane ticket. Oh well. I can always shovel out the car and go to the dollar store.:eek:

[MDahms]

Beautiful fish Gary. The male is pretty darn colourful himself, love the markings on his cadual fin.

Mike

[vince0]

What i wouldn't give to have your water Gary....

Very nice pics!

[CACAdmin]

I went to the last Montreal Aquarium Society meeting and met a forestry engineer who cheerily offered me contacts in Cameroon so I could get permission to collect in commercialized forest areas. That's a gifts from the gods type thing, except I'm not sure I can afford a trip to the airport, let alone a plane ticket. Oh well. I can always shovel out the car and go to the dollar store.:eek:
Some day, maybe some day, Gary. People do apparently win the lottery, so there's always a remote chance. I keep hoping for that lottery win too but my luck seems to go in the opposite direction is you know what I mean.:frown:

[Pamelajo]

Very nice colour!!

[Dandee]

Beautiful fish, wonderful colors.

[GaryofMontreal]

Between kribs (pulcher), taeniatus and a bunch of other Pelvicachromis, I've gotten to see a lot of broodcare over my years of keeping them. And you know what? I never get sick of it.
It's always a wonder to see it again.
Here, the courtship display at the start of the thread has paid off.3008

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[sass]

Wonderful, watching fish take care of their fry is so amazing.
I could watch them forever.

[GaryofMontreal]

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The second pair - here, the broodcare is different. I have five Epiplatys in the tank, and they are a known quality to every West African cichlid. They are an insect eater, but they will seize the opportunity and dive-bomb gaggles of fry for a meal.
The parents are much closer, and never lead the fry alone. Both hang within an inch of the fry in movement, and they gather them up in a clump when they aren't feeding. Notice Dad's position, face out, behind the fry gaggle. He had advanced to challenge the camera, but you can still see the plan. Just try dropping down into those fry and see what he'll do....
Meanwhile, the well-fed Epiplatys seem totally uninterested.

[CACAdmin]

Cool photo. I don't think I'd want to challenge Dad... he looks like he means business.

[MDahms]

Wow they really are keeping the fry in a tight group, good parenting skills.

Mike

[mdfa.ca]

That is an awesome photo, Gary! And I love how the babies already have pretty much the same look as the adult, just much smaller.