Mesonauta acora from Al!

[Discus-n00b]

Here are the Mesonauta acora I got from Al on Weds. These were taken a day after they were in the tank.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/Festivum6.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/Festivum4.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/Festivum3.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/Festivum1.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/Festivum7.jpg

[asifgy]

Amazing pics, what camera and lens you using?? sweet fish too.

[William Palumbo]

Oh Festivums!...Great shots as usual...Bill

[Discus-n00b]

Thanks. I use a Canon 5D MkII with a 100mm Macro 2.8 lens. Was tough to get a great picture of these because there is a lot of driftwood in the tank and hard to find an open spot. And I used flash on the camera instead of over the tank except for a few pictures.

Thanks again, mainly thanks to Al for sending me these awesome fish. I'm constantly watching them now....really interesting. And they eat ANYTHING that goes in the water.

[pcsb23]

... And they eat ANYTHING that goes in the water.better not put your hand in then ;)

Nice fish Matt.

[kent1963]

Man I'm outa cichlids for a decade or so and I don't know what anything is lol what happend to cichlasoma

[ashaysathe]

Very nice fish Matt. Look great. Good add to your setup. Seen these guys many times personally.

[Ryan]

These are my grandchildren! I'm glad to see other people are enjoying this unique, feisty cichlid.

[Discus-n00b]

Thanks all. Ryan, I haven't noticed them being that feisty. Are they more fiesty towards other species or towards others of their own species? Maybe it will come but so far they are calm as can be. A little back and forth in the group but nothing major.

[Ryan]

They are very stealthy. They may look passive, but watch for split fins or missing scales on tankmates. Once all my males got to the 5 - 6" mark they turned aggressive and started attacking adult discus, severums, etc. They dive-bomb from above and hit fish right on the forehead or the first few dorsal spines. It took me a while to figure out it was the festivums because they don't act that way when you're in the room. ;)

[brewmaster15]

Matt,
They look great! Glad they made the trip so well. :)

I've mostly noticed the aggression towards each other in groups and of course when protecting a batch of eggs anything is game for their aggression..... Oddly, I have 1 pair with a pair of severums and the festivums hide and shy there..

I also have a pair of festivums in a 75 gal with 2 adult discus, 4 wild angels and they are as peaceful as you could want.

2 pair festivums in a 55 with a pair of geos and they aren't a problem at all

Put a group of 10 in a 125 with some port cichlids, severums and plecos and all heck breaks loose ..its like World war 3 in there at feeding time....other than that..its pretty sedate. I think they increase their aggression when in larger numbers.

hth,
al

[Discus-n00b]

Thanks Al. Maybe I'll see more aggression once they start breeding.

Heres a few new pics of them. The colors really are nice on these, even if its subtle. Really comes out with the flash of a camera.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/Festivum8.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/Festivum9.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/Festivum10.jpg

[Jennie]

that camera is to die for

[scottthomas]

Great Pics as always. Thanks for sharing your new fish. I like them.

[brewmaster15]

Great Pics as always. Thanks for sharing your new fish. I like them.
I have more Scott! ;););););) hint hint

-al

[scottthomas]

I have more Scott! ;););););) hint hint

-al

I may take you up on that. I want to set up a show tank in my house. (another excuse for fish since my fishroom is full) Are these good tankmates for discus in a 100gal?

[Discus-n00b]

Thats what i'm doing with them Scott, in a 100gal! I put these with some discus and they don't seem to care at all, either party.

[Discus-n00b]

Al and all, I now have a pair breeding on some driftwood in the tank. Super excited. To bad I have drill this weekend and have to leave. If i'm lucky i'll return to find babies, but I don't think they'll last long. We will see! The good news is they are happy enough to spawn so they will do it again.

[brewmaster15]

Hey Matt,
I had a feeling that would happen. :).. Hopefully when you get back you'll have wigglers..These guys can be excellent parents so theres a good chance...

-al

[Discus-n00b]

Just got home from drill, wigglers on the driftwood! These fish are being great parents.

To bad Discus can't be this easy LOL.

[Discus-n00b]

Not magazine photos or anything but just wanted to show the fry on the driftwood.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/Mesonautafry1.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/Mesonautafry3.jpg

[brewmaster15]

Thats My kids Matt ;)... I knew they would be giving you wigglers! You will have fun with them!

good luck,
Al

[pcsb23]

Nice pics Matt :)

[Ryan]

Mesonauta, like angels, will have you drowning in fry in no time. I hope you're ready! :D

[Discus-n00b]

My pair of dwarf pikes won't mind a meal of fry once in a while. ;) Thanks all.

[Discus-n00b]

Some new pictures from a day ago.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/festivum1-1.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/festivum2-1.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/festivum3-1.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/festivum4-1.jpg

[kent1963]

Not magazine photos or anything but just wanted to show the fry on the driftwood.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/Mesonautafry1.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/clemmatt/Mesonautafry3.jpg

Your wrong! Those are great photos.

[scottthomas]

Your wrong! Those are great photos.

a big +1