UGE African Cichlid Sale!!!

This newsletter is in honor of the best man I know, my father, who has a tenancy to pronounce words that begin with "hu" as if the "h" were silent. So this week we have a UGE African CIchlid Sale!!!

Each African Cichlid is native to one of the three great lakes in Africa (Malawi, Tanganyika, Victoria) and found no where else in the world! African Cichlids are extremely hardy and colorful often times being mistaken for saltwater fish! They also make great parents where the female will actually mouth brood the eggs and baby fish all the while not eating food for weeks on end! African Cichlids have been a life long passion of mine and I am happy to be finally sharing a spectacular shipment with you all!

HUGE Super Male African Cichlids!

Taiwan Reef Hap: The Haplochromis fenestratus
is native to Lake Malawi and a member of a group of fish referred to as "Haps". The Taiwan Reef Hap is my favorite member of this group and is actually an isolated color morph of fenestratus. Taiwan Reef is an isolated rock pile located on the eastern shore of Lake Malawi and is home to several unique species of African Cichlids. The stunning combination of electric blue, yellow, and red make this fish a show stopper. The Taiwan Reef Hap maxes out at 6 inches and requires at least a 55 gallon aquarium preferably with a rocky aquascape. This is a feisty easy care level African Cichlid. HUGE Super Males on sale for $59! (12 in-stock).
German Red Peacock: The Aulonocara sp. "german red"
is from Lake Malawi and a member of a group of fish referred to as "Peacocks". The German Red Peacock is my favorite member of this group and is not found in nature. This fish was created through selective breeding of the Sunshine Peacock in Germany back in the mid 90's. Peacocks are the most colorful of all African cichlids and the most peaceful. The German Red Peacock maxes out at 6 inches and requires at least a 55 gallon aquarium preferably with a rocky aquascape. This is a peaceful easy care level African Cichlid. HUGE Super Males on sale for $65! (12 in-stock).
Yellow Blaze Lithobates: The Haplochromis lithobates "yellow blaze" is native to Lake Malawi and a member of a group of fish referred to as "Haps". The Yellow Blaze Hap is the only metallic purple African Cichlid on the market and is actually an isolated color morph of Lithobates found on Zimbawe Rocks. The original color morph of this fish available to the trade wasis navy blue with a red stripe down the back. The eye-popping combination of electric purple and yellow blazing down the back make this fish an aquarium stand out. The Yellow Blaze Hap maxes out at 6 inches and requires at least a 55 gallon aquarium preferably with a rocky aquascape. This is a feisty easy care level African Cichlid. HUGE Super Males on sale for $59! (12 in-stock).
Lethrinops Oculatus: The Lethrinops Oculatus is native to Lake Malawi and a member of a very small group of fish referred to as "Lethrinops". This is my favorite member of this group. Lethrinops sport unique and distinctive color patterns and have a temperament between that of Haps and Peacocks. This particular species is extremely hard to come by and a first in our store's 10 year history. The iridescent blue-green, unique body shape, and red fins with massive egg spots make this rare beauty a must have! The Lethrinops Oculatus maxes out at 6 inches and requires at least a 55 gallon aquarium preferably with a rocky aquascape. This is a feisty easy care level African Cichlid. HUGE Super Males on sale for $59! (12 in-stock).

HUGE Saltwater Discounts!

Nano Nerite Snail: This super colorful snail, also known as a Virgin Nerite, comes from the inner tidal areas of the Caribbean Oceans and has a rounded shell. This snail does not grow very large, and can flip themselves over unlike Astraea Snails. They are wonderful scavengers for reef aquariums as they remain small and with their rounded shells, rarely knock over rocks or corals in the aquarium. The Nano Nerite Snail maxes out at 3/8th of an inch and require at least a 1 gallon aquarium with algae present for grazing. This is a peaceful easy care level reef safe invert. HUGE $1 each! (200 in-stock).
Black Cap Damsel: The Chrysiptera rollandi is a relative new comer to the aquarium scene. The vast majority of these damsels are white with a black head. Only the ones we have been able to get from Vanuatu sport the canary yellow strip down their head. This is a beautifully colored fish possessing quite atypical coloration for a damsel. We get about six of these fish in a year and have found them to be similar temperament to the Azure Damsel and hardy. The Black Cap Damsel maxes out at 2.4 inches and requires at least a 20 gallon tank preferably with no delicate tank-mates. This is a feisty easy care level reef-safe fish. Regularly $25 HUGE $19!! (5 in-stock).
Super Color Zoanthids: These are all roughly silver dollar size and we have an assortment of Super and Ultra colors to chose from. Zoanthids are great corals for beginner to advanced aquarists and literally come in a rainbow of color morphs. A Zoanthid is an individual low growing polyp that forms encrusting mats of numerous polyps pressed tightly together. They are primarily photosynthetic but will capture and consume small particulate foods such as Zooplankton and small copepods. Super Color Nano Zoanthids are an easy care level 2 coral which require dim to moderate lighting and low to medium water flow. Regularly $45 HUGE $24! (20 in-stock).
SA Marine Betta (Tank Bred): These guys were tank bred by SA and are perfect BioCube size! The Calloplesiops altivelis is hardy disease resistant fish that resides at depths of 45 meters in rocky crevasses. The false eye spot on the tail is thought to mimic the head of a moray eel when the fish assumes a head down position. This fish is commonly kept in reef aquariums that do not have small fish or shrimp since it will eat them. The SA Marine Betta maxes out at 8 inches and requires at least a 55 gallon tank preferably without bright lighting. This is a peaceful easy care level reef-caution fish. Regularly $65 HUGE $49! (3 in-stock).

COLLECTOR Freshwater!

Ornate Bichir: Arguably one of the most attractive Bichirs, this species boasts strongly patterned black markings. Growing to nearly 2 feet in length, this fish needs a tank of at least 75 gallons at maturity. Like all bichirs, it is a primitive fish that has a pair of modified lungs which allow it to come to the surface and take gulps of air when living in oxygen poor waters. Tankmates should be at least half the length of the bichir to not be considered food. These fish are tolerant of a variety of water conditions, and should be fed a variety of frozen foods and pellets. Regularly $75 COLLECTOR at $55! (1 in stock).
Blushing Festivum: This is one of the more unique looking South American cichlids as well as one of the most peaceful of them. It is native to the rivers of South America where it is fairly common. In nature they can often be found swimming near discus and angelfish and are very compatible with these fish in the aquarium. They can grow to nearly 8 inches in length so should be provided with a 55 gallon tank or more. Due to their size, they may predate on smaller fish such as tetras. While the juveniles have a more pointed head, they lose this as they mature. There are several color variations that they may develop as they mature, this week we have the blushing variety. Regularly $20 COLLECTOR at $15! (1 in stock).
Royal Pleco: This striking plecostomus has become quite popular in the hobby for those with larger tanks. While it doesn't growing as large as the common pleco, it can still grow to be 12-16 inches in length. The unusual body shape, red eyes, and black stripes make it an eye catcher in the aquarium. It has adapted for life in fast moving environments, so an oversized filter or additional powerheads in the aquarium are recommended. The royal pleco should be provided with a vegetable and algae based diet as well as with driftwood for it to chew on. It will do best with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. It is best kept with peaceful community fish, but can be aggressive towards other plecos. Regularly $40 COLLECTOR at $32! (1 in stock).
Yellow Rabbit Snail: These oddball snails are constantly on the move looking for leftovers and algae to snack on. They get their name from the shape of their head and their long, droopy antennae. They are native to hard waters with higher pH, but may acclimate to a lower pH. There have been reports of them reproducing in the aquarium, but not enough to be a nuisance. On average 1-3 large offspring are produced at a time. These snails may occasionally snack on aquarium plants.. Regularly $10 COLLECTOR at $8! (12 in stock).

CARPETING Plants!

Dwarf Baby Tears: Originally from Cuba, dwarf baby tears are one of the smallest plants in the world! This is a beautiful fast growing carpeting plant. Dwarf baby tears does require CO2 and fertilizers in order to achieve optimum growth. Lighting should be in the medium to high range, but is not as important as ensuring that the plant is getting enough nutrients. Regularly $12 CARPETING at $10! (3 in stock).
Dwarf Four Leaf Clover: The easy to grow four leaf clover is a great carpeting plant for beginner hobbyists. Once the plantbecomes established, it will send out horizontal runners and cover the bottom of your aquarium. CO2 is not necessary but will encourage faster growth. This plant will acclimate to a variety of lighting conditions, but will grow fastest in high light conditions. Regularly $4 CARPETING at $3! (12 in stock).
Glossostigma: This pretty carpeting plant originates from New Zealand where it is often found in swamp-like conditions. When lighting is high enough, the plant remains compact and quickly carpets the bottom of an aquarium. Glosso will do best in aquariums that have a substrate specifically designed for planted aquaria since they will have fertilizers built in. The addition of CO2 can drastically increase the overall growth and condition of the plant. Like most carpeting plants, this species propagates via runners and will spread out across the aquarium. Regularly $8 CARPETING at $7! (3 in stock).
Riccia: Also known as Crystalwort, this fast-growing plant will carpet aquariums while helping to prevent algae. It does this by using up nutrients in the aquarium quickly before the algae can. Unlike many mosses, riccia will not readily attach to decor or substrate. Tying riccia to decorations with string or fishing line will help keep it in place. Another popular way of displaying this plant is attaching it to rockwork and allowing it to cover the stones. Regularly $8 CARPETING at $7! (12 in stock).