NEW SPECIES COMING DOWN THE PIKE

[SGypsyMermaid]

take a look at these shots coming down the pike from 'african diving ltd'. in case you haven't heard, there are a lot of new fish coming out of a previously unexplored portion of lake malawi, called 'mandalawi'.

http://www.algonet.se/~cichlids/mandalawiworld_aquaria_1.html

russutslersfish.com is one of the retail distributors for african diving ltd(which is a wholesaler) check out some of these great fish in his gallery:

http://www.russutslersfish.com/fish_gallery.html

[chennes]

Wow! I'd do a species tank of the Metriaclima sp. "Deep water" -- that is one incredible fish :o: !!

Chris

[SGypsyMermaid]

i agree--that is some striking fish! i fell in love with the Mylochromis sp. "Colourflame - Mandalawi. such beautiful pastel colors. that one i would want to add to a community. your choice is better, i think, for a species tank--it would have such a dramatic effect!

[chennes]

Perhaps it's time to start aquiring the pieces for a new tank! I love the stripes and coloration. The little blurb didn't say much about what kind of environment they need... any ideas?

Chris

[SGypsyMermaid]

i would guess, typical mbuna requirements--i haven't read that that area of the lake differs from the rest of lake malawi.

[chennes]

Any idea where I can get more info on them? Especially purchasing info? :)

Chris

[SGypsyMermaid]

russutslersfish.com is one of the retailers for african diving ltd. boilermaker listed another one last time but i don't remember what it was.

[chennes]

Aargh! No one seems to be listing them yet. Alas, I will have to wait. That's OK though, since I don't even have a tank for them yet.

Chris

[SGypsyMermaid]

so you've got plenty of time to plan it--what do you think of a tank with black sand and piles of texas holey rock?--drama!

[Boilermaker]

lol. SGypsy that was the link I posted, remember that post on Senior (did I forget how to spell senior) moments :lol:

[SGypsyMermaid]

:D :D --i could have sworn you listed two!! well, one of us is definitely having a senior moment!! it was tom, last time.

[Boilermaker]

:) I listed Ltd's home page and Russustlers, Ustlers is the only one available that I know of as far as dealers with Ltd.
Maybe were both having senior moments, I know Debbie and I do all the time, :) here's the funny part we'll fight over wich one of us forgot

[jnorris]

If they are from deep waters won't they be a pain to keep in captivity?

Just curious.

Jonathan

[SGypsyMermaid]

welcome, jnorris!!--from what i understand, the deep-water fish are difficult to acclimate when they are first caught(have to be brought to the surface slowly), but no special problems after that.

[chennes]

Do they require any special lighting conditions? I don't know how clear the water is in Malawi, but all my other cichlids like it bright - can these deepwater fish take the same intensity?

Chris

[jnorris]

I actually have been talking to Russ Utsler about local contacts in Denver. Pretty cool guy, I have already gotten some good advice as far a where I can get a tank locally (I am in the market).

Once the new tank gets well established I might consider taking the risk on a really expensive investment.

I need to learn alot more however....BEFORE I go nuts.

[SGypsyMermaid]

smart thinking, jonathan!------chennes--i don't think that light intensity is that big an issue with any of the lake cichlids.

[wkwan]

African cichlids prefer subdue lighting with darker substrate. This will make them more comfortable and in return you will be treated with them looking their best.

[chennes]

I didn't realize they preferred subdued lighting - I thought that since they are mostly found in relatively shallow waters, and are so near the equator, that the lighting would need to be brighter.

Chris

[Blue Mage]

I know alot of experience fish keepers that have great looking fish and keep them in tanks with sand on the bottom, a lighter substrate.

Maybe useing a very dark substrate such as black gravel will increase contrast but it may not make your fish happier.

[hyperdive]

Chris, many species are found in the range of 10 - 40 metres (30 - 100ft) and Malawi is not crystal clear. The lighting below 10m in any body of water is significantly darker than that of the surface.

I believe too bright light make the fish feel "exposed" (everyone can see them) and having slightly duller lighting not only brings out their colors more, but enables them to swim around more as they don't feel so prominent.

Andy