Recent content by dwarfpike

We are also in one of the few areas of the country where our tap water isn't liquid rock. A lot of hobbyists don't want to mess with their water a whole bunch, so a lot just go with what fits and our water tends to fit SA, Westies, and SE Asia tanks and yes plants.

If Jeff is helping with his contacts, this is great news.

Meander - River

Not sure if it's just the picture angle but it certainly looks like it's bowing badly in the middle there.

No, nor is it a pure Carpintis I think. Body shape and coloration/pattern seem off.

Oh no. A very sad day indeed. :(

No, while they are still super soft, without the tanins they are usually mid to low 6's for pH. As always, there are sometimes exceptions of course.

Actually, this species comes from the Tapajos and other clearwater areas vs. it's more common blackwater cousin, D. filamentosus.

Keep an eye on Wet Spot, that's where I got mine from a few years back. Pair by dwarfpike posted Apr 11, 2018 at 2:36 PM

Apistos (except the two species found in the wild with blue rams) would be a better match for the angels, temp wise. Blue rams are often kept at elevated temps that the angels would live in, but not thrive in. And the seprae fin nipping isn't just a meme, the ones I had in with my blue acaras...

Oh I agree, not something I would do either. But it would be a way to put more bang for the buck into the footprint, as it were. Westies are a good option, if you don't mind mixing fish from different areas. In addition to the Nanochromis, there are smaller Pelvicachromis that would work like...

You have good taste in cichlids, but the issue is the tank size (well more footprint). As an example, if I wanted to do a pair of blue acaras, a pair of sevs, a group of porthole catfish, and a group of high bodied tetras like bleeding hearts ... I'd be looking at a 125 gallon (72"x18") tank. I...

I've kept them with dwarf cichlids before without issues. A former member here had a regani pair in his planted tank with dwarf cichlids and all sorts of high bodied tetras without issues. They are predatory and will protect their cave, but outside of compressiceps, aren't really that...

Dwarf pikes are rarely bred, so most are wild caught thus you usually see them in spring locally. I've bought them from Bridges, Sierra in Renton, and A Place for Pets. But as long as Wet Spot has them, most of the local stores can get them in. Though probably the prettiest, I'd stay away from...

It's only a 36"x18"? Ouch. Well Sev's would be out, also they usually treat plants as a salad bar. Honestly, I'd keep the angel pair and go with either a pair of the keyholes or dwarf acaras or a trio of apistos, and a large tetra school, some oto's, and a small group of cory cats if you didn't...