Complexity's 90g Planted Tank Journal

[jughead]

staying by the rocks=secure.paracyprichromis are a structure oriented fish.cliffs,caves etc. vertical surfaces

[Complexity]

Got my new lights in, and OMG, what a difference! I tried to get pics of the fish earlier, but it was impossible with such poor lighting. Now, if I can get the fish to stop hiding behind the rocks when I come up close, I can get some pics.

I really need to get some more fish in there for these guys. I think they're a bit stressed being the only fish in the tank. They have selected that one stack of rocks and have stayed there all day long. I'll be getting two more (1m/1f) from Tim this Monday which will give me 7. That might help them feel more secure, as well.

[Complexity]

I added more rocks to the larger pile on the right, but it's not much taller, just more dense. That leaves the entire 1/2 top of the tank without rocks. I think that will work okay for the cyps from what I'm reading.

I sold all my vals, but I have a large amount of needle leaf java fern that I think will work well for the tank. If I find that I need more plant coverage for fry, I'll add it later.

Tim's been busy these last couple of days, but I'll see about getting the rest of his paras from him. How many do you think would make a good shoal size? I don't think he has very many left, but I can always add more from others, if needed.

[Zulaab]

If you like the Para's you got from Tim, I would recommend getting more.
Here is the deal. Cyps are like the sardines of the lake. They will school in HUGE numbers tightly together. They are open area fish, so the more rock work you put in the less they are going to school. One of the things I told Tim was when I have a job again and money is in excess again, I am going to move my cyps and xeno's into a 180/210 (depending on lenght of tank) and I am going to only have a little bit of a rock formation because this is where my ABN's will over-day (oppesite of overnight).
The one thing I want to add beyond that is areas of Val (plants) which reaches up into the water column where the smaller fish can hide and grow up for a few weeks until they get to the size where they will not be attacked or eaten by anyone else in my tank.

[Complexity]

I woke up to find only 4 of the 5 Paras. I looked everywhere, but couldn't find a live or dead 5th fish. So I put some frozen baby brine shrimp in the tank, and sure enough, the 5th para appeared. One of the males has found a cave that he likes to hide in part of the time. I can only see the tips of his tail when he's in it. I need to get some Cyps for this tank so the Paras aren't all by themselves.

Jesper, I can get more of the Paras from Tim. Not sure how many more he has nor the m/f ratio. If there's a little variance between the ones from Tim and any others I might add, it'll be okay. Actually, there will be some variance because the ones from Tim are mature adults while I expect to only get juvies from a store.

No pics yet. Sorry, I was so tired, I took a nap. Only 4 full days left before I start school again so I'm going to enjoy them while I can!

[Zulaab]

The name I got from Tim is Paracyprichromis nigripinnis as he posted above. Is there more I should know? I've been looking up info on them and haven't ran across named variants of them.

There is not much beyond that except for a catch point (which is where the variations lie in) Tim might not know and its not totally important if you are deciding on getting more.. Getting others from the same catch point might be easier said than done.

BTW, does anyone know what their preferred diet is as far as high/low protein or veggies or anything? I didn't have time to check yesterday.

I feed mine (cyps) NLS 1mm cichlid formula. They all take it.
If you want to feed them something different, they feed on zooplankton and others small things that floats in the water column.
Because they have the big eyes they can see small items. Word is that baby brine shrimp are fun to feed to them because unlike most other fish they are simply considered to small while the cyps will see them and eat them.

I hope this helps
Jesper

[cichlid1409]

nigripinnis and a tek fixture ...baller

[Complexity]

The name I got from Tim is Paracyprichromis nigripinnis as he posted above. Is there more I should know? I've been looking up info on them and haven't ran across named variants of them.

BTW, does anyone know what their preferred diet is as far as high/low protein or veggies or anything? I didn't have time to check yesterday.

I'll try to get some pics today. I took my daughter to get her driver's license yesterday (she passed the time on her 1st try!). We ended up in line for 4 hours! It was maddening! And then we got her enrolled into her college classes (first semester for college). That ended up taking the whole day. By the time we were done, I was exhausted. So no pics last night. Hopefully, I can get some today.

My TEK light fixture arrived yesterday. As soon as the bulbs arrive, I can get some real light on the tank which should make a big difference in how it looks.

[Zulaab]

I cannot wait to see pictures.. Vicki did you get the complete name from Tim so if you want to add to your colony you can get more ?

[DUHK]

Post pictures of your tank with your fish! We'd all love to see your new tank!

[Complexity]

I couldn't wait any longer so I turned on the light at 8AM. An hour earlier than normal for my tanks, but you know how it is.

They're eating daphnia right now. They're funny eaters. Not aggressive at all, rather gentle. But they do seem to be enjoying themselves! At first, they didn't quite seem to get it, but then one took a bite, then another, and now all 5 are swimming all around, eating all over. Tim said they might be shy, but so far, they seem to be pretty happy. They're swimming in open water to eat.

I'll try to get some pics later today. I have some errands to run, but I should be able to get some pics after that.

[Mzungu]

How exciting! Glad you got your first fish in there! Take pictures when you can. :)

[Complexity]

They're from Tim's collection! My first Tang cichlids! I dripped them to get the adjusted, and then put them in. They were so calm when I was dripping them and netting them. The last two, the males, were so easy that I just picked them up in my hand and placed them in the tank.

They started exploring all over! I think the current was a little strong for them so I turned the output heads a different direction which calmed down the center of the tank. I'll put the flow controls on this morning to help with that. I hated turning off the light last night, but I knew it was best for them. I can't wait to see them this morning and feed them for the first time! I was reading about them last night, and it seems they have small mouths and like small food so I thought I might try some frozen daphnia just to get them started.

[Zulaab]

There are now 2m/3f Paracyprichromis nigripinnis in the tank.

Did they come from your collection or somewhere else ? Para's are awesome little fish :)

[Darbex]

Looks awesome