The Mimic Tang resemble a variety of angelfish when juveniles. This specimen is the yellow type, mimicking the Heraldi Pygmy Angel. As adults, their coloration changes to a gray/brown with yellow fins and black accents in the face and base of dorsal/anal fins. Like other tangs, these fish are omnivores. They need plenty of algae and other greens in their diet to keep them healthy, but will also eat small bits of meaty foods. Algae can be provided in the form of Spirulina, formula foods, dried marine algae on clips as a frequent treat, or through live algae grown in the tank or in a refugium. Tangs are generally community fish and get along with most other tankmates. They do not bother corals and can actually help keep nuisance algae trimmed and under control. Tangs may get territorial and aggressive towards similar tangs, so always use caution when keeping these fish together.216650
Filed under Tangs by on Sep 2nd, 2010. Comment. 
This big and beautiful cichlid features a varying coloration. Females are the typical dull gray-brown, while males will sport anything from violet, green, and blue metallic shades with rusty-colored highlights and sometimes black spots around the head. As the common name implies, in the wild, this fish sifts through the sand for its food. Because of this behavior, provide a tank with ample bottom area and a fine, soft gravel or sand. Rock and other decor is fine, as well. A large tank is also important because of the eventual adult size. This particular cichlid is peaceful with most other large cichlids, though they can be semi-aggressive toward other Fossochromis. They may also eat smaller tankmates, so choose carefully. A diet of frozen meaty foods and a basic flake or pellet should suffice. They are a typical mouth brooder.
Filed under Freshwater Fish by on Aug 31st, 2010. Comment.
The Royal Pleco is one popular pleco sought after by hobbyists. Their pronounced forehead and striking patterns make them a striking addition to any aquarium. The color is normally a dark green with various types of black lines and/or spots running along their body in a horizontal fashion. The markings vary between individual specimens. Eye color will also vary from a dark orange to a vibrant red. Royal Plecos are quite secretive and do not move around the aquarium very often. For this reason caves or other types of hiding spaces will need to be provided. They get along with most fish and work well in community tanks. Provide driftwood for their diet along with a form of pellet food that contains both vegetative and meaty material. Frozen food can be given to them but shouid be reserved as a treat for them and not a regular food source.
Filed under Freshwater Fish by on Aug 30th, 2010. Comment.
This particular juli has many color variations, all white and black/brown in assorted horizontal/vertical/broken striped patterns. Females get larger than males. Julies require a deep, soft substrate and lots of rocks. They will stay toward the bottom of the aquarium, ususally hovering over their “territory”. Any fish that stays toward the top should be a good tankmate, as well as other Tanganyikans of similar aggression. Julies require a predominantly meaty diet of frozen brine, mysis, or other small items, though a staple flake should be acceptable as a daily diet, as well. Julies are substrate spawners. They form pairs and both will guard the eggs and fry. These pairs are very fragile and often “divorce” quite abruptly and with much quarreling.
Filed under Freshwater Fish by on Aug 26th, 2010. Comment.
Metriaclima lombardoi were previously named Pseudotropheus. They originated around Mbenji Island and Nkhomo Reef in Lake Malawi. Female and juvenile Kenyi are blue with vertical black stripes, while males are yellow to orange, and bars may appear with mood.These Mbuna are rather aggressive and should only be kept with other cichlids that can take their rowdy behavior. Try to keep one male per 2-3 females, and do not mix similar males, especially in small tanks. Lots of rocks and caves should be created in the tank to help the fish establish territory and provide cover. Be sure to feed mbuna a diet rich in greens and vegetable matter, as they are herbivores, and cannot tolerate too much protein in their diet. 208222
Filed under Freshwater Fish by on Aug 16th, 2010. Comment.
