Gecko's dwarf cichlid setups

**Gecko** · 16th May 2008, 15:06

Just recently set up a two tiered two feet tanks for dwarfs. Metal Frame, tanks, soil, overhang filters by GEX. I had a lot of fun setting up. Hope you guys enjoy the pictures.

Top tank: a pair of Ap. Liz. No mirror no skill, hence updates only in the future. Male's body base color is black with blood red cheeks and tummy (sorry, have to take my word for it for now

).

Bottom tank: Cardinals + ....

4 Juvenile Adoketa (Breeder credit: Crazy Dragon)

10 Dicrossus filamentosus

**Samuel2618** · 16th May 2008, 15:13

Bro.. Nice Dicrossus filamentosus you have there.. I also love checkerbox.. You bought all yours from C328 right?

**Ah_ZhaN** · 16th May 2008, 17:09

Wah lau Jeremy, no wonder I can't find Dicrossus filamentosus anymore~~

If got plans to release a few pairs please let me know~~

Both setups look good for the dwarf cichilds, but try lower the water level or cover the tank to prevent them from jumping, out of no reasons sometimes.

**Gecko** · 16th May 2008, 17:50

Thanks, will do. Yes from C328.... I no Jeremy

**Ah_ZhaN** · 16th May 2008, 17:53

Sorry Lawrence . ..

Hope your cichlids all breed soon~~~

**mobile2007** · 16th May 2008, 20:38

Looks pretty comfy nest for the cichlids and fauna for both tanks.

Is that a rectangle cave ( pleco cave?) in middle of top tank ?

**Gecko** · 16th May 2008, 20:42

There are 2 actually, the other one hidden under the round pebble...

**Samuel2618** · 17th May 2008, 00:42

Haha.. Now the mystery is solved.. No wonder all the C328's D. filamentosus were gone out of a sudden.. Had been there for some times actually.. Intended to get one or two more one of the days to add on to my current population.. Suddenly realised it was all gone.. By the way Gecko.. Are they all females as stated by uncle that time?

**doppelbanddwarf** · 17th May 2008, 08:31

Really nice and neat setup. And great fishes too. I love the D.filamentosus. B the looks of it they are still quite young and have not developed yet, so I think it'll be quite hard to tell them apart for now. When they grow older it is much easier.

**Gecko** · 17th May 2008, 09:35

Right very young and less than 3 cm. Also I have read that a female will "transform" to become a male if there isnt one in a colony of females only. I actually saw only 4 or 5 in the small betta tank and told the guy to pack all for me, then he counted 10 when I was paying up

**Samuel2618** · 17th May 2008, 10:51

Haha.. Ya.. Correct.. Indeed I was told by one friend in the past before that a female will turn to a male if there isn't a single male in the group.. However I do not know if it is true or not.. To tell whether it is a male or female when young.. Actually you try looking carefully at the tail area.. If there are two pointed edges at the tail area.. It is confirmed to be a male.. If the tail has got no pointed edges.. It means a female..

**Gecko** · 17th May 2008, 12:24

Here you go, it has been documented:

http://www.cichlidae.com/article.php?id=91

**illumnae** · 17th May 2008, 12:37

could it just be a sneaker male returning to its true colouration once the alpha male is gone?

**Panut** · 17th May 2008, 12:42

would the dicros jump out?

**doppelbanddwarf** · 17th May 2008, 17:30

I believe it could be a case of a young/sneaker male maturing, since all fishes in the group were young adults. But I too can't be sure. Meanwhile I've kept them in small batches and have sometimes ended up with all same sex fishes, without any changing sex.
Also I remember Biotope had a tank of males when it was at Bukit Merah still for quite some time, without any of them turning female.
They're pretty easy to sex when they are mature. Males will have the trademark lyretail and blue+red ventrals. Meanwhile females will have clear ventrals until they have bred, whereby the ventrals will turn red-orange.