Is there a maximum stocking level? Yes. During the first six months fish should be stocked slowly at a rate of 1 in (2.5cm) of fish length for every four gallons (16 I; 4.6 US gallons) nett. In the subsequent six months, stocking levels can be increased to an absolute maximum of 1in (2.5cm)of fish length for every two gallons (9 I; 2.4 US gallons)nett, Make all calculatlons on adult sizes to give the fish every opportunity to grow to their full potential.

Symphysodon aequifasciata haraldi.Popular name Blue Discus.Origin Amazon.Size 6 inches.Appearance Considered to be the most beautiful Discus.Body color brownish, traversed by dark blue vertical bars the purplish head and body, particularly adjacent to the fins, is covered by numerous interrupted blue streaks.Recommended feeding system Aquaze Discus.

Many records of successful breeding of Discus can be found in aquarium journals.As with other Cichlids, it is best to bring up a batch of youngsters and let them select their own mates.The spawning act is similar to that of Ptcrophyllum sp. Eggs are laid on a broad-leaved plant or flat stone.One or both parents fan and look after the eggs. The young hatch out and hang on mucoid threads.It is generally accepted that it is necessary to leave the brood with the parents,for once the yolk sac is absorbed the young feed off the mucus secretion from the bodies of the parents.Nevertheless,on one or two occasions fry resulting from eggs hatched away from the parents have been reared on fine,sifted,newly hatched brine shrimp.Once this critical phase is over the young are quickly reared on usual foods.Recommeneded feeding system Aquaze Discus.

Pterophyllum(Species and Hybrids)Three species or subspecies are recognized P.altum.Pellegrin P.eimekei,Ahl,1929; P.scalare,Lichtenstein, 1823.The common aquarium Angel is probably a P.eimehei X P.scalare hybrid.Popular name Angelfish.or Scalare.Origin Amazon.Size 5 inches.Appearance Very deep,strongly compressed,almost discoid body with winglike dorsal and anal fins.Silver body with black bands,which become pale when the fish is frightened or kept in pale, unsuitable surroundings. In recent years many new varieties have appeared. These are adequately described and illustrated by Wolfsheimer,1967.However,only a few are commercially available.Of these the melanotic mutants have proved most popular.These include the Lace Angelfish showing a modest increase of pigmentation and the Black Angelfish showing extreme change in this direction. Mutants with elongated fins called Veiltail Angelfish,either ordinary Lace or Black, are frequently available.Behavior One of the few Cichlids universally accepted as a community fish.Feeding All the usual food,including dried foods.Large specimens should have fair amount of live or meaty foods.Pregnant Guppies are commonly kept with Angelfish,for their fry provide I continuous supply of live food.Angelfish sometimes go on a hunger strike.This occurs when the fish has been maltreated or is frightened.It can also be a sign of internal disease.With care,choice foods,and frequent partial changes of tank water most fishes recover.Water conditions Not critical.Recommeneded feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

Pelmatochromis kribensis Popular name Dwarf Rainbow Cichlld, or Kribensis.Origin West Africa, Congo,Size Male 3.5 inches; female 2.5 inches.Appearance Moderately compressed elongated body.General color green-gold to olive-brown.Ventral surface in belly region ivory and blue with large blood-red spot. Many color variations occur, even in fish from the same spawnings.Behavior Usually peaceful, but aggressive at breeding time to own kind. Best kept in pairs.Feeding Will eat all foods.Water conditions Not critical. Neutral to slightly alkaline water of moderate hardness.Sexing Easy. Female,noticeably fatter. White abdomomen wilh larger red spot extending almost to dorsum. Female more colorful than male.In young specimens sex can be distinguished by a crescentic golden orange line in the upper part of the caudal fin of the male.Breeding Easily bred typical Dwarf Cichlid. Prefers to Spawn under arch; 100-300 eggs are laid, which hatch in 3 days.Young become free-swimming on 7th day and take brine shrimp as first food.Recommeneded feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

Hemichromis bimaculatus Popular name Jewelfish, or Red Cichlid.Origin Widely distributed, Central Africa. Size 5 inches.Appearance Compressed elongated body. During breeding season develops a remarkable fiery red color,particularly marked on the head. Numerous blue spangles all over body, particularly well developed on head and fins. Hence the name Jewelfish.Behavior It would be difficult to find a more pugnacious or vicious aquarium fish. Adults must be kept singly or in pairs.Feeding Earthworms, maggots, bits of meat.Water conditions Not critical.Sexing More pointed and elongated fins in male, who is also more jeweled, but the female may show a more intense red coloration Breeding As for all large Cichlids; about 300 eggs per spawning.Recommeneded feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

Haplochromis multicolor Popular name Small or Egyptian Mouth-breeder.Origin Eastern Africa.Lower Nile.Size 3 inches.Appearance Yellowish clay-colored body with gold and greenish iridescence in places. Blue spangles on fins. Behavior Very peaceful for a Cichlid. Can be kept in community tank with fishes its own size. Becomes more aggressive at breeding time, particularly to its own kind.Feeding Insect larvae, Daphnia, whiteworms; will take dried foods.Water conditions Not critical. Temperature 78°F.Breeding Can be bred in small tanks (1 foot or over), when about l.5 inches long; 50 to 100 eggs are deposited in a shallow pit. After spawning, female takes up the eggs in her mouth. Male should now be removed. Mouth of female enlarged, stretched, and thin so that eggs can be seen in mouth. Fry hatch· in 10 to 15 days, and emerge from mouth. Both female and fry should be fed now. Young return to the mouth of the female periodically,particicularly at night and if danger threatens. First food for fry, brine shrimps. Female can be removed a day or two after fry start feeding.Recommeneded feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

Astronotus ocellatus Popular names Oscar, or Velvet Cichlid.Origin Amazon, Guianas, Venezuela.Size 12.5 inches.Appearance Very variable, depending on strain, age, and condition.Skin matt, velvety, not reflectile like other Cichlids. Color, marbled olive brown to black with ivory, orange, and red splashes.Behavior Surprisingly good-natured for a large Cichlid. Can be trained to take food from the hand and also stroked and petted.Feeding Huge appetite. Likes food in large mouthfuls, e.g., live fish, chunks of beef, and earthworms.Water conditions Not critical. Temperature 7 5°F.-80oF.Sexing Difficult. Possible in large specimens when female fills with roe. Some males show three prominent round blotches at the base of the dorsal fin.Breeding Specimens have to be over 6 inch or so before they can be expected to breed; 500-1000 eggs are laid on flat stone. Large tank (4-6 foot) needed with plenty of gravel and some flat stones but no plants. Good parents; as a rule they will not eat eggs or fry. First food, brine shrimps. Recommened feeding system Aquaze Tropical.