Friend or Foe?

[cichgirl]

Post your "Friend or Foe?" pics!

Pinchy vs. Digger

They only confront each other when Pinchy checks out Digger's house. Rarely do either get even slightly injured. They have lived together for a year now.

[crazyfishlady]

That's a really great picture!

[cichgirl]

Thanks! I finally got a good one, that's why I had to post it.... Only took 10 shots to get a good one this time! :lol:

That's been his only real tank mate (aside from danios) since I separated him from the mels. I didn't think it would work because that fish is a cichlid killer, but so far it seems to be ok and Pinchy has been through at least 3 molts.

[Glaive]

That's a cute pick though in the long run I worry for pinchy's life lol.

[cichgirl]

I have taken every precaution I can think of. I know it's a possibility. He's got his own low lying slate that only he can fit under. Digger is cautious around him, I've seen him get pinched. I think the danios have the toughest row - two have recently been beheaded, and I couldn't find the tails when cleaning & moving rocks. Pinchy has become a regular terrorist..... :twisted: He doesn't scare me though - I just see him as a big water bug. lol

My husband wanted him and brought him home. I warned him about the possibilities regarding his survival. He told me I was wrong and he wanted to take the risk, so I provided the best landscaping for him that I could. I know he'd have a hard time taking Digger, and he's the only one I'm attached to in that tank. He's lasted longer than I thought he would.

[NEO_72]

Cool! What exactly is pinchy? (variety, I mean)

You couldn't keep them with an oscar could you?

[cichgirl]

Pinchy is a crayfish picked up by my husband and named after Homer's lobster on a Simpsons episode...

No, dropping him in my oscar tank would have been the fasted route to his demise... Fry tank? No way. He's in with Digger because he's got the best chance of survival in there compared to my other tanks. He'd be a treat for all my other fish. Who knows, he still might end up as one if he lets his guard down.

[NEO_72]

I know it's true, but I still find it amazing that crayfish would get killed by cichlids - I haven't seent them in with fish, but look at those claws! How do the fish kill them?? Are they good treats then? My lfs sells small ones 3 for two bucks.

[cichgirl]

I know my dempseys & oscars would make short work of him. I've never seen how an oscar eats them but dempseys pick them up and smash them against the glass or a rock until they crack the shell open, then it's bye-bye shellfish.

Fish love them - I think it gives them something challenging to do rather than swim for pellets... Yeah, the fish might get pinched but ultimately it'll be the crayfish that gets whacked...

[NEO_72]

Do you think the pinches would cause much damage?

[cichgirl]

I've seen Digger with a dark streak, which is what happens to a wound on him when he is healing, but beyond that, nothing on him.

The danios, on the other hand will never learn. The two that he recently got looked like their heads were cut off with extremely sharp scissors. Like a surgeon.

[NEO_72]

Damn.

Think you'd have to QT them if you plan to use a few for treats?

[cichgirl]

I did, but most likely I wouldn't know if they had anything. After 3 weeks he seemed healthy enough so I threw him in. I can only tell if a crayfish is sick if he's lethargic or his eyes become cloudy or if he develops a shell disease. I really don't know that much about them....

I freaked out the first time he molted. Then I freaked out because he was sleeping on his side under his slab. I thought he was dead. Nope, just sleeping. Perked right up when I moved his home. They swim really fast too!

[cichgirl]

... oh, I'm not sure if you need to QT them if you are getting them as treats. Hopefully someone will chime in for that.

[NEO_72]

Thanks for the info Cichgirl. Not sure I'll try it - just curious. Heard the shells can leave a mess though...

[highplainsdrifter]

Sometimes, the cichlids become the treats. I've lost some smaller cichlids in the past to crayfish. My local variety has large, powerful claws... the big ones make for great box-turtle food; it's like watching a Godzilla movie of some sort...!

[NEO_72]

Hahahaha!!!

[cichgirl]

LOL!

Clawzilla vs. Boxra

[highplainsdrifter]

:D Hahhaha Boxra always won!

[cichgirl]

... of course he did! :D

[mokermania]

hi,

tks for sharing this great shot pic.
very funny too..hehe

[finz]

Neo_72 - consider buying ghost shrimp for treats - my cichlids love 'em.

Friend or Foe pics? Here's a few

http://www.cichlidforums.com/postimages/2005-07-16/104767-001.jpg
http://www.cichlidforums.com/postimages/2005-07-16/104767-002.jpg
http://www.cichlidforums.com/postimages/2005-07-16/104767-003.jpg
http://www.cichlidforums.com/postimages/2005-07-16/104767-004.jpg
http://www.cichlidforums.com/postimages/2005-07-16/104767-005.jpg

[highplainsdrifter]

Your calvus shots are always breath taking, finz!

[NEO_72]

Finz - great shots!

My gf loves little shrimps - I'd never get away with using them as feeders ;)

[cichgirl]

ditto! Love the calvus shots! I spy the little fry.....

[HornPlayer54]

Awesome shots finz! Thanks for posting!!