Hey, well done and you did a good job choosing those Bolivians - no deformities, not massively underfed, a decent size and good colours already.
I can't really see from those pics (too small) to determine sex but on a glimpse I'd say you did well sexing them too. The first fish does look to have a swollen ovipositor, if you could get me larger and closer pics of the two fish (just aim for the vent, don't worry about the head/tail etc, all I need to see is that midsection) then I could tell you for certain. With a good diet and appropriate aquascape these fish will be ready to mate and popping with colour in the not too distant future.
Just throwing it out there - would you consider switching to sand, it's a lot easier to do than you'd think and it's much less work once it's done too - I can give you my step by step method if it'd help.
Also if I could see a full tank shot so that I can advise you as to whether you need more cover/broken lines of sight for the fish.
Finally, what will you be feeding them?
If we get these few things sorted I think you'd be amazed at the increase in their colour and activity (especially over sand). The name Mikro-geo-phagus translates roughly to Small, Earth, Eater - they sift sand just like Geophagus. When spawning they also dig pits in the sand to act as fry nurseries etc so you do really see much more natural behaviour over sand.
But yeah, congrats, you did really well and I'd say come join us at the Bolivian Rams club on the Cichlid Forum, we're always after new members to share and discuss findings, problems, information and pictures with one another.
star_rider - from CF? Glad I could help!
:thm:
I can't really see from those pics (too small) to determine sex but on a glimpse I'd say you did well sexing them too. The first fish does look to have a swollen ovipositor, if you could get me larger and closer pics of the two fish (just aim for the vent, don't worry about the head/tail etc, all I need to see is that midsection) then I could tell you for certain. With a good diet and appropriate aquascape these fish will be ready to mate and popping with colour in the not too distant future.
Just throwing it out there - would you consider switching to sand, it's a lot easier to do than you'd think and it's much less work once it's done too - I can give you my step by step method if it'd help.
Also if I could see a full tank shot so that I can advise you as to whether you need more cover/broken lines of sight for the fish.
Finally, what will you be feeding them?
If we get these few things sorted I think you'd be amazed at the increase in their colour and activity (especially over sand). The name Mikro-geo-phagus translates roughly to Small, Earth, Eater - they sift sand just like Geophagus. When spawning they also dig pits in the sand to act as fry nurseries etc so you do really see much more natural behaviour over sand.
But yeah, congrats, you did really well and I'd say come join us at the Bolivian Rams club on the Cichlid Forum, we're always after new members to share and discuss findings, problems, information and pictures with one another.
star_rider - from CF? Glad I could help!
:thm:
. Good ol' Bolivians never fail to entertain (baffle and bemuse at times too). I had seen a couple of your posts, plus your picture and I did suspect it may have been you. The "Bolivians Rock" quote gave you away though, lol. Hows the business going!? Still breeding those Blues too. So how come we never see your wisdom on the CF boards any more, Ruurd was asking how you were recently, poor guy is going through some rough times at home but you know Ruurd, always on the up. You should drop by and give us an update, I know some of the new BRC members could do with meeting the Grandma of Bolivians (I learnt a lot from you and Ruurd.)
