My first ulwiles colony

[J-WS6]

Re: My first ulwiles colony

hmm...shall I buy a couple of gallons of gas for the week or some seiryu stone?? :think:

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: My first ulwiles colony

MJ,

The tank is really nice.  Ulwiles are a really nice brichardi group.

I would start saving as soon as possible for a 6ft tank.  The fish will be so much better off for it.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: My first ulwiles colony

I'm thinking soon enough they will start to kill each other off, the males that is, and then the colony size would be just about perfect for that size tank.    

[myjohnson]

Re: My first ulwiles colony

J-WS6,

   I'm down for a group buy for sure.  I'm looking for two football size rocks.  However, as EK said these rocks can go for anywhere from $4 per pound to $8 per pound.....depending on how good they look.  I got mine from this Asian dude that had no idea that they were for ADA tank. To say the less, I got them for like 35 cents a pound.  It was a steal and I couldn't pass it up!

J, you also stated, "have you found anything similar to this style of rock?" Yes there are other rocks that look like this but they still cost a lot too.  Ek actually knows a rock yard that he is hiding from me! I been tell him to take me there.  We are talking retarded prices like 15 cents a pound for rocks that are imported. Bug him about it and maybe we can all go together.

eklikewhoa,

   No I cannot play full price for these rocks!  At full price they cost more than the ulwiles! I rather save up money and get them ilangis from you or you can give them to me for free......you know, we've known each other since we was kids.....don't play!

  Ek you also said that, " I'm thinking soon enough they will start to kill each other off, the males that is, and then the colony size would be just about perfect for that size tank." As you know we have talked about this before. I actually am thinking about killing off some of the male to let the WC breed with the F1s.  As for right now its just an idea. Me and the trohpeus are just going to go with the flow (no pun intended).  

geoff_tropheus,

  Yeah, they can be monster and thats why I like them! I actually think trophs should be kept in at least a 6 footer.  I have seen Ek's and his fishes school a lot nicer than mines.  A 4 footer just does seem to make them unhappy (when fully grown).  I actually have space for a 8 footer in the dinning room.....so I might go with that.  However, as for now the 4 footer is somewhat built into the wall in my living room so I can't do anything about that...... :(  

p.s. thanks for all the kind words regarding my tank.  If there is something I need to change please feel free to tell me.  I have just been keeping trophs since Jan. 08.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: My first ulwiles colony

Dude.....you missed out! The little "special" Ulwile have have decided it was gonna test the waters with the the second in command.....they fought like no tomorrow!!!

I have fish with missing flesh on their flanks and busted lips everywhere now!

[myjohnson]

Re: My first ulwiles colony

Man! you got to get that stuff on video. Mine really haven't been fighting as much as I would like for them to.  I might have to change the rock scape to get them a little worked up again.

Always love me a good tropheus fight!

[eklikewhoa]

Re: My first ulwiles colony

By the time I get a camera out and point it at them they get stage fright..... so I stopped bothering them and just sit back and watch with my Heineken  :wink:

It's crazy to see flesh being taken from one's flank......gotta love the aggressive variants!

[myjohnson]

Re: My first ulwiles colony

I need advice guys!

   I been lovin petros for a long time now, but I always end up missing out on good deals.  :(  :(  :(  :(  I have a chance to get one wc male petro trew (that Ek is getting for me from geoff buying another trio in CS.  So the question is:

1) should I just get a trio?  I think this is unlikely because the tank is too small but I wanted to ask it anyways just to see what the experts think.

2) Should I even get the single male petro at all.  My biggest WC ulwile male is 5 inches if not a little more and this big boy runs the whole 75g tank.  How will the aggression play out? I know petros can be really hit or miss because those guys just have so many different personalities. So what do you guys think?

3) I have a goby and a block head (aka mini tank buster) as tank mates.  I actually need to post a pic of the block head.  His is really funny looking and I didn't want to flush him so I just put him in the tank and he is actually doing great.  Anyhow, assuming I get the petro male should I remove all the other tank mates?

p.s. Ek and geoff, how big will this petro male be?

Thanks in advance for the advice guys!

[eklikewhoa]

Re: My first ulwiles colony

If Geoff gets it and if they are still available....

1) I think the loner is already pushing it in your 4ft tank and the trio is really gonna disturb the Tropheus....someone is gonna have to give.
2) They will be fine...there might be some sort of bustle but that's a given. Mine finally duked it out the other day, 6" male Ulwile 1 - 4" male Trew 0. The Trew got it handed it to him...his little trailers/streamers are now gone, there is a huge chunk of meat missing from his dome but of course they are now swimming amongst each other like nothing happened.
3) The goby "might" not be a problem but I would definitely get rid of the buffalo head......just too much going on for it to look nice you know what I mean?
4) I am sure it's about the same as mine unless there are still large ones available and Mike sells just a single large one but I would go for the smaller.

You should swing by and check mine out.....he has really grown since I got him probably since he has to keep up when it comes to feeding time.

[Delock]

Re: My first ulwiles colony

ok i will call you when i get close

[eklikewhoa]

Re: My first ulwiles colony



Bring me one of the big male Ephippiums while you are at it!

[Delock]

Re: My first ulwiles colony

I may be able to do that...I have a smaller one getting trounce...not sure by who yet!

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: My first ulwiles colony

I have had my Trophs kill Petros before, the thing with PEtros is that they will fight to be top dog at all times.

It is in their genetic programing to do so.

Trewavasae get males get into the range of 8" or more.  The largest Trewavasae I ever seen is that one Alex has in the corner, but I am sure it could get bigger if it were not trapt in 40 gallon breeder.

I have seen large ones in videos, but hard to tell the length of them.

A trio of Trewavasae would be painful for the two females when they reach breeding size.

The male would be too much in the long run..

in my opinon..from what I have seen so far..

[myjohnson]

Re: My first ulwiles colony

EK,

    Thanks for the advice.  I knew a trio was going to be too much.  But I think I'm get one male if possible (pending what Geoff does).

Geoff,

   Again, thanks for the advice.  How fast will the trew grow? I hope I can keep it for a year or so before I upgrade to a bigger tank.  When you go to CS try to pick the smallest male for me If you can. Thanks.

Delock,

  You love actin up...bet you was drunk postin on HFB. LOL.    I'm going to EK's tonight bring some beer!  artyman:

[myjohnson]

Re: My first ulwiles colony

EK,

   Dude there was 5 frys in the bag.  Thanks for the extra hook-up.  I feel sorry for the rest.....you know they died by now. :( I been looking at them over two feedings and they are too scared to eat with the colony.  I dropped some .35mm NLS growth in there for them and they ate a little of that so everything is tight.