merlyn2221
08-18-2003, 11:01 PM
Ok, so I go to a lfs that used to really stink on Friday. Took "Ye Olde Fishmeister" (aka my father) and we browsed.
I saw an F0 A. Calvus black "Congo Inkfin" and a Tropheus moori "Kachese" male. Now recently I got a female Kachese, so I'm thinking...maybe. Anyway I go back on Saturday with my husband to look at the fish. Why didn't I get them on Friday, you're wondering? Because I couldn't believe the fish were marked what they were and I couldn't take them home right away on Friday.
So we go back. The Calvus is a beauty, and the Kachese is...well...a monster (as most tropheus males are in my experience). I'm talking to the owner there and I ask the usual questions about what buffers he uses, what salts, what filters, what food, etc. Are you ready? Here's what he tells me:
1) he doesn't use buffer (so what's the pH? Out of the tap there it's 7.2, I tested it) just uses dechlorinator.
2) he doesn't add salt (well that would make sense if he doesn't use buffers).
3) he uses the old fashioned corner filters with carbon and floss hooked to an air supply. (Ok, it worked in the past...).
4) he feeds them Omega One with about 48% protein (now that might be ok for the Calvus, but the Tropheus?)
After I get over my shock and concern,
I buy the Kachese anyway, since he's only had it a few days, so how much damage can be done, right? I get the Calvus, too. Both look great and are swimming happily. The Kachese is bullying every other fish in the tank, like tropheus do.
I come home with my $44.99 Calvus and my $39.99 Kachese worried, but happy for the bargain. The last Calvus I lost cost $200! I figure if this one dies, well, it's not THAT much money...anyway...
I spend 5 hours slowly pouring tank water into their very tiny, non-double bagged bags (he doesn't even double bag them!) and pray to every saint who ever had an animal that the transition wouldn't kill them. This was the first time I ever changed a fish's pH, et al in that short of a time. The least amount of time I ever took to do this was a week, and in that time the fish stressed greatly. It's now nearly 1:30 A.M. and I'm stressed and ready for bed, so I check on them again. They're hanging out, not even breathing heavily, and looking at me like, "You NEED to let us out of here NOW!" So I test their water and the tank water; miraculously they are finally the same! I dump them in.
I should also mention that when I got them home, I tested their pH and it was 6.8. They both began rooting through the sand for food when I let them free, so I threw in a few crushed flakes. They gobbled them! I was totally amazed. They are still gobbling. Let's hope it stays that way.
I don't always agree with the way people keep their cichlids, but this place was unbelievable. I know I'll go back for the cheap deals, but I still can't get over how everything is alive in his place. Granted his fish aren't thriving like mine, but I thought such extreme conditions would easily kill fish as delicate as A. Calvus and Tropheus.
I saw an F0 A. Calvus black "Congo Inkfin" and a Tropheus moori "Kachese" male. Now recently I got a female Kachese, so I'm thinking...maybe. Anyway I go back on Saturday with my husband to look at the fish. Why didn't I get them on Friday, you're wondering? Because I couldn't believe the fish were marked what they were and I couldn't take them home right away on Friday.
So we go back. The Calvus is a beauty, and the Kachese is...well...a monster (as most tropheus males are in my experience). I'm talking to the owner there and I ask the usual questions about what buffers he uses, what salts, what filters, what food, etc. Are you ready? Here's what he tells me:
1) he doesn't use buffer (so what's the pH? Out of the tap there it's 7.2, I tested it) just uses dechlorinator.
2) he doesn't add salt (well that would make sense if he doesn't use buffers).
3) he uses the old fashioned corner filters with carbon and floss hooked to an air supply. (Ok, it worked in the past...).
4) he feeds them Omega One with about 48% protein (now that might be ok for the Calvus, but the Tropheus?)
After I get over my shock and concern,
I buy the Kachese anyway, since he's only had it a few days, so how much damage can be done, right? I get the Calvus, too. Both look great and are swimming happily. The Kachese is bullying every other fish in the tank, like tropheus do.
I come home with my $44.99 Calvus and my $39.99 Kachese worried, but happy for the bargain. The last Calvus I lost cost $200! I figure if this one dies, well, it's not THAT much money...anyway...
I spend 5 hours slowly pouring tank water into their very tiny, non-double bagged bags (he doesn't even double bag them!) and pray to every saint who ever had an animal that the transition wouldn't kill them. This was the first time I ever changed a fish's pH, et al in that short of a time. The least amount of time I ever took to do this was a week, and in that time the fish stressed greatly. It's now nearly 1:30 A.M. and I'm stressed and ready for bed, so I check on them again. They're hanging out, not even breathing heavily, and looking at me like, "You NEED to let us out of here NOW!" So I test their water and the tank water; miraculously they are finally the same! I dump them in.
I should also mention that when I got them home, I tested their pH and it was 6.8. They both began rooting through the sand for food when I let them free, so I threw in a few crushed flakes. They gobbled them! I was totally amazed. They are still gobbling. Let's hope it stays that way.
I don't always agree with the way people keep their cichlids, but this place was unbelievable. I know I'll go back for the cheap deals, but I still can't get over how everything is alive in his place. Granted his fish aren't thriving like mine, but I thought such extreme conditions would easily kill fish as delicate as A. Calvus and Tropheus.