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..

1000/378: 04 March 2011: Crispy Tangy Fish

Crispy Tangy Fish is a recipe from a Sainsbury’s cookbook we’ve had for pushing 30 years, and now has the honour of being a family favourite. Basically its white fish covered in a roux flavoured with salad cream or mustard,  topped with bacon rashers, cheese and breadcrumbs and baked. Easy, delicious and colourful – what more can you ask?

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.

365/276: 22 November 2010: Fish Tank

Hmmm! Photographing shiny spherical objects with a single flash is an interesting challenge. In the end I used a long shutter speed on the camera and fired off the flash with my other hand while pointing it at the wall. Not perfect, by any means, but about as good as I could manage with the resources at hand.

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.