Brevis Color

[dixaisy930]

The two brevis that I have were labeled as sun-spot brevis, but when I looked them up, most of the pictures showed them with some orange/yellow coloring. Mine, however, are just a grey color. Is the water in poor condition? My water is on the hard side, but I don't think the pH is high enough. They are active, and eat fine. It's not a washed out grey. I can't quite explain it, but it looks like it's "actual" color.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Tanganyikans in general need very good conditions to show the best color, one of the reasons they are more of a hobbiest fish. This is a combination of clean water, the right water, and good food.

Don't skimp on food -you get what you pay for and Big Bob's budget food is not going to cut it. Get the good stuff.

Do water changes very regularly to keep it as clean as possible, and keep good maintenance on all aspects of the tank.

Keep in mind that these are not boldly colored fish, photos on the internet are often retouched, and they color may very well improve as they get settled and comfortable.

What is your KH and PH?

 

[dixaisy930]

After looking closer at the brevis today, I noticed they have a little more color than I thought. The tip of the dorsal fin and is an orange color, and there bellies are showing some blueish and yellow (faint, though) colors. And the blue half moon beneath their eyes is more obvious than when I got them.

The pH is 7.8, and I am not sure about the kH, since I don't have a test kit for it. I don't know of this means anything, but there are hard water stains in all of my aquariums, althouhg I'm sure that could show up with any water.

They are eating tropical flakes (NutraMax), Cichlid pellets (small Bio-Blend), live brine shrimp, frozen bloodworms, and mysis shrimp. They get a small amount of one two or three times a day (just a tiny pinch).

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Sound good dixaisy.

I would:

-Make the cichlid pellets the largest portion of the diet
-remove bloodwormds entirely from the diet
-test the KH, as this is very important for buffering the water

Good luck, these fish are small in size but big in character

 

[dixaisy930]

Thanks so much for the guidance...

Bloodworms are out of the diet (they didn't get them often anyway), and they are getting the pellets most often.

What range of KH should I be aiming for?

I completely agree about the character. They have quickly become a favorite of mine. I love watching them redecorate the tank.

 

[Adrinal]

STOP STOP.
Your making me jealous

I saw some pics of these tank rearanging fellows and I am going mad!!!!

Fortunatly my pa has every tool known to man... I'm going to start beating holes out of my 10 g till I figure out how to use a dremmel (all I know is thats the tool for cutting glass... gonna get some gloves, glasses and learn the hard way how to use it
why... so I can start making 10g species tanks hooked up to a larger sump man shell dwellers look keen!!!

 

[thecichlidaddict]

What range of KH should I be aiming for?

Keeping it above 10° is ideal, and up to about 16°.