I've been bitten....

[QTOFFER]

...by the cichlid bug!

Actually, I was nibbled on by my firemouth for the first time today. For two weeks, I have been trying to get him to eat from my hand. I'd hold a pinch of food underwater. He'd flare his gills, approach cautiously, and dart away. Then he would wait patiently for me to release the food, but today, he swam straight for my fingers and took that food himself! Yay! A wierd, but really neat sensation getting mouthed by a four-inch-long fish.

I can't wait for the sick green severum to get healthy so I can continue building this cichlid tank. What great personalities these fish have!

 

[xray]

It's nice to be trusted 8)

 

[Endgame319]

Welcome to the wonderful world of cichlids

 

[BrianNY]

very cool QTOFFER..........looking forward to seeing you on the 11th

 

[ferret]

I'd try this with my oscars but quite frankly I'm scared of 3 fish over 6 inches each trying to eat from my fingers. They've tried to jump out and bite my fingers before, and did it once Felt their bony little teeths

 

[TankGirl]

I don't think I will ever stop keeping cichlids, and though right now I am into Africans I know eventually I will go back to the New World - former oscar keeper from way back, and there are so many others I want to try. Sure, the tetras and barbs and livebearers come up to the glass when I approach, but cichlids are curious and have personality that is really rewarding.

 

[Menagerie]

I must admit--I don't like when my fish touch me. But I have lots of fish anyway

Now, you need a few more tanks and some different cichlids in each tank ..........looking forward to meeting you on the 11th

 

[madasafish]

Yeah. Careful when those cichlids get bigger. They do have maxillary/mandibular teeth (as well as crushing pharyngial teeth further back in the mouth) that can hurt.

That rocks, though. I'm getting the cichlid bug more and more myself nowadays. The fish are just hard not to love. I'm debating setting up this 30 gallon cube I've recently purchased from a friend with African cichlids, probably Neolamprologus shell-dwelling Tangayikans; tank's too small for anything bigger. Hmmm.... They're all so darn expensive around here, though.

QTOFFER and BrianNY, I wonder if Warren from GCAS has them in his fishroom, and if we could go there on the 11th... I'll have to see if I can get his number somehow.

 

[TankGirl]

I would definitely recommend shellies for that tank - if you could get down to the Gathering in TN Voodoo will almost definitely have some multis.

I saw a single N. oscellatus at the LFS recently but they wanted $19.99 for the little sucker - too rich for my blood.

 

[Endgame319]

Thats too expensive. Lamprologus Ocellatus are only $10 canadian at my local big al's.

 

[ferret]

Try here: http://www.neptuneaquatics.com/

Cichlid breeder, well recommended. Most of the shellies are under $8.

 

[madasafish]

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. They were $10-15 each at the best store here in NYC... Ay! That'd be $100-200 for the colony!

I think that one of the Greater City Aquarium Society ppl might have them for cheaper, but I'm not sure...

 

[Menagerie]

I can get N. multi fry for $5 CAD. Mine are dull, possibly defective. Go with a more aggressive shellie for fun and excitement!

 

[TankGirl]

I agree - I think I might have laughed out loud when I saw the tag - that little fella was so cool, though, posturing and flaring and strutting about like he was 6" long. I can't resist those shellies! (I did resist this gold-plated guy, though)