Change Of Setup

Xebadir

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Melbourne Australia
Well, as predicted by the wise ones, i got bitten. Having converted my tank over to african cichlid conditions and managed to safely clone the tank i added a pair (on suggestion of a LFS that I will no longer visit) of what turned out to be Melanchromis Auratus. What ensued was captivating yet awful, and I do agree my worst mistake ever. The male and female, happily cohabiting a smaller area at the LFS for the last 4 months, moved in to the tank, with many rocks and hiding places(for a 20gallon), and the male began to show his true colours....i dont know if the other fish was just a male in disguise, but two days ago the male cut loose, and shredded the poor things tail, not to mention descaling the rear flank. Not only this but on the same day he outright killed my bristlenose right before my eyes. Heartbroken, I isolated this horrible demon, and the female came out of hiding, and today I returned them both to the LFS in seperate bags, so that she would not have to suffer as i have no tank to separate them. The LFS clerk apologised profusely, saying he should have warned me, and that he didnt think that as a pair alone they would cause problems. Upon that they gave me a full refund for both Auratus, as well as the pleco. Until this my LFS had always given me good advice, it was sad to be so let down.

Having done some research since the female was injured I decided to make the hour drive to what turned out to be the best LFS ive ever seen. This LFS's tanks were spotless, quarantine signs on those with new fish or where illness was occuring. Ever species was kept in an enviroment specific to their requirements, and descriptions plus comments on habits were there for every fish. Not only this but the range of tanks, hardware, and plants(they have every species that I see on this site and more), and food were amazing to say the least. Their cichlid tanks contained pristine fish(i wouldve been proud to keep just one of their tanks), and some species I saw I know are unavailable anywhere else in Australia. They also had specialised australian species, including many of the rainbows, and the rare freshwater sole, which apparently they breed themselves. At the back of the shop they even had a Rare Murray Cod of at least 2.5 feet, in an 8ft tank, who is having a 14ft tank built specially for him. Having perused the store to determine the quality, I felt happy to look at the cichlids I had come for:

Pseudotropheus Saulosi. These specimens they had of about 1.5-2 inches, and as I had planned were beginning to show colouration. I chose an apparent Male( Alreadying showing those lovely blues and blackness on the finnage), and 6 female/unidentifiable, so as to allow the possiblity of discovering other males which will be removed.

On a side note a couple of weeks back I bought 2 Sydontis Multipunctatus, as I found them particularly cute and attractive. Now I know they grow far to significantly for this tank, and even this tank size for saulosi is insufficient at adult sizes, but I do plan to upgrade when I move into my new apartment, and will have a significantly larger and more appropriate tank at that time(within next year) prolly 4ft.

Just wondering on any tips on keeping Saulosi/ comments on my setup. I will post pics once they all settle: My tank is also partially planted with 1 Crypt, Vallensis accross the back wall and several java ferns. And im definitely going back to that LFS instead of my old one, at least for new fish etc: their even looking for Neo Brevis for me.
 
No flack but welcome to the Auratus club i got caught too, so when someone new postS " i brought a Auratus" you can jump in and say NOOOO!
 

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