1000/391: 17 March 2011: Golden Ram Cichlid

1000/391 a photo by nmonckton on Flickr.

Some new fish to show off - although not for the best of reasons. I suffered a total tank collapse a couple of months back and virtually everything died. Not sure of the reasons - I checked the water chemistry basics like ammoinia and nitrite and they seemed fine. My best guess is that my gravel hoover was not working properly, and that during a major water change I stirred up enough muck to deplete the oxygen supply, becaue almost everythiugn keeled over simultaneously - the only survivors being a siamese figher (betta splendens) and a dwarf gourami - both of whch have the ability to nreath air from the surface. The betta died a couple of days later, probably of stress.

So - start again. Nice clean tank, introduce the fish slowly, keep the numbers low. This is the end of that process (I hope) - a Golden Ram Cichlid. This is the male - I have a female as well to keep him company. Very colourful and mild mannered..

365/322: 07 January 2011: Fighting Fish

A new addition to my tank this week – been struggling to get a half decent photo, but finally managed it. He seems to have settled in well – no aggro with the other inhabitants – and you have to admit that even in a relatively poor photo he does look rather gorgeous.

365/318: 03 January 2011: Axolotl

Went to visit Marion’s sister today. Daughter has just got a pet axolotl in a lurid pink-topped fish tank (classy – very classy ). Forgotten its name already – old age I guess – but it was quite fascinating to watch.

365/80: 10 May 2010: Every home should have one

Time to introduce another of my pets – Colin the Crayfish. More accurately, it should be Coleen the Crayfish as she produced about 50 young 3 weeks after I got her – but she was already Colin by that time and it stuck.
Currently she’s about 3 inches long, and appears to have stopped moulting for a while.  She certainly adds a bit of personality to my tank – its fascinating watching her walk about on her 6 back legs while feeding with the front 4. Probably not ideal if you’ve got spider-phobia though.
Not really sure what variety she is – but the fish-shop guy assures me that this is about as big as she’ll get. According to the books I may have her for 20 years.

PS – She does have two fairly hefty claws at the front, but doesn’t appear to want to use them.

365/69: 29 April 2010: Black Widow Tetras

I love these little guys – I bought 3 a couple of weeks ago and they’re solid entertainment in the fish tank. Put a pinch of food in and they tie themselves in knots trying to eat everything before the other fish get there. (OK – I probably need to get out more).
Hadn’t realised quite how scratched my Biorb was until I saw this photo – looks like I’ll have to add a polishing kit to the shopping list

365 Challenge – Day 5 – 24 Feb 2010

Thought I’d have a stab at photographing one of my other hobbies today – which provides a whole set of challenges of its own.