My new altolamps have arrived :)

[Razzo]

Whelp, my new wc altolamps arrived yesterday. I got the following:
6 A. calvus (black congo white pearl) - 2/4f
2 A. compressicpes (Muzi gold head) - 1m/f

All were in good shape.

The calvus are similar to an Inkfin but not quite as dark on the fins but these guys have the largest spots (which I really like). I knew what I was getting with the calvus but the gold head were an experiment or a trial kit (if you will). The guy who sold them to me (who I trust) really loves them and they are one of his favorites. Picture taking is not his strong suit and the pics of them were not very attractive - so, I took a gamble on a trial group and was not sure what I would be getting. Let me say, when I pulled the Muzi male bag from the box I was impressed. This guy just traveled across country, was stressed, and he looked great. He had nice dark bars which was a pleasant suprise. I can't wait for him to get in his "happy place" and really start showing off that gold head. I was VERY pleased with them.

So, here are a few pics. Of course, all of the fish were hidding and stressed so they are not really showing their beauty yet (but that is to be expected). Anywho, this is a 55 gallon tank.

Gold Head Muzi Male
Not sure what that goofy looking squiggle is on the glass (thought I had it clean)
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/ts13b41/55%20Gallon%20Altolamp%20Aquarium/GoldHeadMuziMale.jpg

Calvus Black Congo White Pearl
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/ts13b41/55%20Gallon%20Altolamp%20Aquarium/Calvus1.jpg
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/ts13b41/55%20Gallon%20Altolamp%20Aquarium/Calvus2.jpg

Full Tank Shot
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/ts13b41/55%20Gallon%20Altolamp%20Aquarium/FullTankShot.jpg

Right side of the tank
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/ts13b41/55%20Gallon%20Altolamp%20Aquarium/Right.jpg

Left side
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/ts13b41/55%20Gallon%20Altolamp%20Aquarium/Left2.jpg

[Rbishop]

Congrats on the new arrivals. Great looking!

[myswtsins]

OOooo, very nice! I am excited to see those calvus color up, they are awesome!

[efors]

Amazing Altolamps, Razzo! I can't wait to see them after they settle down.

[jpappy789]

I love the pearls! Good luck with them Razzo!

[snoopy65]

Absolutely beautiful! I can't wait to see them once they have settled.

[AfroCichlid]

Great looking Altos and clean tank. Love it.

[Razzo]

Thanks :)

LOL - they are all hidding. My wife walked up to the tank and asked where my new fish are?

[Pittbull]

Sweet...

[Arturo]

Very nice!!!

[rich_one]

wow dude... those are nice!

[Razzo]

Got an update on the new altos... Photos are gonna be hard to come by for a while. They hide out in the back of the tank behind the rocks just out of sight. They came out a little bit more today at feeding time.

These first two pics were at feeding time:

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/ts13b41/55%20Gallon%20Altolamp%20Aquarium/DSCF0141.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/ts13b41/55%20Gallon%20Altolamp%20Aquarium/DSCF0138.jpg

Here is what you see at non feeding times. They hide behind the rocks until tempers flare from being in close quarters and one of them gets pushed out into the open. Most of the time you can get a peak at the calvus but a good look at the two gold heads is rare. You see the female gold head below the calvus.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/ts13b41/55%20Gallon%20Altolamp%20Aquarium/Altolamps018.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/ts13b41/55%20Gallon%20Altolamp%20Aquarium/Altolamps019.jpg

Go Irish ;)
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/ts13b41/55%20Gallon%20Altolamp%20Aquarium/Altolamps012.jpg

They are feeding and working out hieracrhy so I guess those are good signs of healthy fish. I like the spots on the calvus. One of the things that I liked best about my orange fin where the sparkles on the males. The black congo white pearl have amazing spots. I am very happy with my choices - I just look forward to seeing them more.

[noodles62]

so beautiful! I am sooo jealous! ;)

[Pearl]

Those are some beautiful fish.

[Pittbull]

coolness buddy..

[efors]

Stunning fishes!!!

[Razzo]

Thanks for the kind words guys :) I am really liking these guys. I can't wait till they stop being so darn shy. Here is today's update...

My shy, new, altolamps are begining to warm up, just a little bit. The calvus were quicker to come out to eat and stay out. My large male calvus hid during most of today's feeding time but the rest of them all came out. My Gold Head Muzi were no where in sight until it was time for me to leave,... my big male came out in plain sight for a few seconds before retreating to his hidding place. The two Gold Head Muzi and the large male calvus should be getting pretty hungry soon. Soon hunger pains and noticing the other calvus are surving in the open tank will lure them out http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

It just takes time. here's a couple pics from tonight...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/ts13b41/55%20Gallon%20Altolamp%20Aquarium/CaveAmbush005E.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/ts13b41/55%20Gallon%20Altolamp%20Aquarium/CaveAmbush011E.jpg