A researcher's fish tank

[Tifftastic]

In case you've ever wondered what a cichlid researcher's fish tank looked like, I snapped some pics today. I just moved my Labeotropheus fuelleborni and my Dimidiochromis compressiceps to 90 gallon tanks (4' x 2' x 1.5').
The decor looks like this because every time they spawn I have to usually take it all out to catch them. It's not pretty, but it's functional.

 

[Rbishop]

Function often trumps visual appeal.....

 

[Tifftastic]

Exactly! I wish it was prettier sometimes, but then I think of how hard it is to catch them even in this and have to let it go. . .

 

[tanker]

Tiff:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

But, yes. That is an ugly tank. LOL.

 

[Tifftastic]

Haha ya, they're quite the eye sore! They don't even have a full bed of gravel/sand in there. . . Can't wait to get something in my flat that actually looks pretty

 

[tanker]

LOL, yes Those pics are just so sad.

 

[SnakeIce]

Looks like a very effective breeding and living quarters for fish such as those. If it allows you to see more of the behavior all the better.

 

[fishorama]

I've seen much more Spartan (& ugly) breeding tanks, Tiff. Like Bob said, function over aesthetics.

 

[Tifftastic]

They seem to be much happier. Less squabbling between the males, so I'm happy with it. I just wish these eye biters would spawn. Its been about a year and a half since we had a good spawn on them. We've started doing a high protein, home made food for them (white fish and prawn, with some peas and garlic) and its made the Tropheops, Metriaclima, and Labeotropheus spawn pretty regularly. But these eye biters are stubborn as all get out (I sound like I grew up somewhere else or in a different era when I try not to curse) and haven't been in the mood. Might have bust out some Barry White for them. . .

 

[SnakeIce]

Wonder if they have some environmental trigger for spawning. The light duration, moon phase, and or temperature variation or some other thing could be what is missing.