Cichlasoma Ornatum Journal

[mattlee]

Great set of pictures!!!

Really coloring up nicely at the end!

how are yours doing DRE?

why not post a few pics on here to compare? i would love to see them again.....

 

[mattlee]

just added 3 Pimelodus pictus to this tank thanks to James

they have settled in quite well and are eating and whizzing about like lunatics....... just what i wanted

lets hope the ornatums and other fish accept them!

 

[Verminator89]

Not a problem matt Glad they seem to have settled quickly Just walked in from my outing now. Took somewhat longer than expected seeing as i stopped to talk alot longer than expected. Unfortunately that meant i left minnnt sat in Longcliffe Golf Centre car park a little longer than planned. Sorry David!

 

[minnnt]

Not a problem matt Glad they seem to have settled quickly Just walked in from my outing now. Took somewhat longer than expected seeing as i stopped to talk alot longer than expected. Unfortunately that meant i left minnnt sat in Longcliffe Golf Centre car park a little longer than planned. Sorry David!

It's ok mate.

 

[mattlee]

sorry minnnt.....

just to add the pictus seem to have settled very well and look stunning on the dark substrate. i have noticed however that 1 of the cats has had a barble bitten in half im not sure who the culprit was but i hope it will grow back as its very short now....

final stocking (for now) is -

6 x ornatum cichlids
2 x rainbow cichlids
15 x colombian tetras
1 x firemouth cichlid
1 x megaladoras catfish
2 x pim pictus catfish

 

[mattlee]

just purchased some new life spectrum cichlasoma food for the ornatums so ill report back here how it does compared to hikari gold

 

[mattlee]

ive managed to get a few more pics that although are very blurred actually show the ornatums true colours a bit better. you might need to squint otherwise they might hurt your eyes.......

and one of the new pictus.....

 

[minnnt]

The Ornatums are beautiful Matt. Their colouration has dramatically improved!!

 

[mattlee]

The Ornatums are beautiful Matt. Their colouration has dramatically improved!!

if im being honest they have got slightly better over the last 2 months but they have had great colouration for a while now but the camera never picks it up. hence the reason ive posted terrible pics of the fish just to show the colours. it still doesnt show them 100% but then a camera never does for me.....

i think another 2 or 3 inches and they will be gorgeous its a shame that i will have to end up selling 2 or maybe even 4 of these when they get too big for a 5ft tank

 

[minnnt]

Are you hoping for a pair then? Pity the Rainbows and Columbians if they do... They look mean!!!!!!!

 

[mattlee]

Are you hoping for a pair then? Pity the Rainbows and Columbians if they do... They look mean!!!!!!!

if a pair develop then happy days but 6 possible 12 inch fish in a 5ft tank just wont happen i dont think.....

i think im going to have to have a tank/fish change/swap too because as soon as Frank gets a bit bigger then he will have to go in the bigger of the 2 tanks with Keith, the megaladoras and the banded headstander. everything else will have to be put in the other tank or sold on etc.

i have noticed that 2 of the ornatums have been unseperable over the last few days with a bit of displaying, side swiping and a bit of lip locking it was the ornatum that got beat up bad a few weeks ago and the other smallest ornatum. i had these both down as females due to their smaller size......! ill keep an eye on them.

 

[minnnt]

Thats great news mate! Quite funny it was the one that was battered a few weeks backs. Typical eh?

 

[england]

Oh mate, they are looking stunning Glad you happy with these guys, hmmm getting shot of some soon? keep me in mind

 

[mattlee]

Oh mate, they are looking stunning Glad you happy with these guys, hmmm getting shot of some soon? keep me in mind

thanks nelly yeah im really happy with them mate. they are growing into some stunning fish.

i think postage to Colombia might be a bit expensive though.... might be cheaper/easier for you to catch your own

hows thing going over there anyway dude?

 

[mattlee]

i dont know if its a mind trick or if the new life spectrum food has actually given the fish a new blast of colour.....

they seem to look more colourfull as does Keith who is also eating this food at the minute. they certainly do seem to like it too.....