Great. Seeing the numbers helps alot. Thanks for posting those.
A community tank of 2000 gallons dedicated to your CA's would be incomparable. I'd be lying if I said I have any idea of anybody doing something like that. If there is one anywhere, I'd like to see pics. Actually, I'd like to see it in person.
1) Your lyonsi will probably never show anything like breding dress by him/herself. Here's one of (my three) paired girls of wild
Rio Colorado. A few of her babies are visible under her mouth/jaw:
And here's her boyfriend:
These are shot with a lousy 5 magapixel P&S which poses problems. I had to Photoshop the male slightly to try to capture the bright red on the operculum and bright yellow body color, but failed: the red doesn't show well and the brilliant yellow has shifted somewhat towards gold. Nonetheless, the colors in the dorsals - both sexes - are quite "true to life" just less iridescent than "in person." The fact is, the brightness of the yellow in breeding lyonsi is probably slightly exceeded only by labridens. I prefer the lyonsi over both those and festae, and when I get the photos right, it may become obvious why. Now here's my "show" male shot at the MCA EXPO 2009 with a 10 megapixel courtesy of Mike Wickham:
Obviously he isn't actually "showing" under poor lighting (for photography), over bare glass (IDIOTIC RULE #11) and without a mate. Still, the difference is extremely well "demonstrated" by the photo comparison - there really
isn't any - none whatsoever (as anybody who has handled breeding lyonsi for any significant period will instantly understand). For now just take my word: generally speaking, keeping a lyonsi alone (or in a community alone) except for holding purposes is like having two left feet - they only get in the way.
2) The choice of salvini I don't quite understand. In a community tank, female salvini ONLY - the prettier of the sexes - would be better suited IMO. The males are lb/lb the meanest CA's (I think) like their cousins the "black nasty." Also, I probably wouldn't consider keeping male salvini w/ atlifrons or rhytisma of either sex. However, I honestly don't know because I never tried. I might also question keeping altifrons w/ rhytisma because of their close relations (hybridization/rivalry). I personally would not hybridize rare/endangered species - I would pure breed them - even F1's though all my brood stock currently consists of wilds That's just me. The only reason I'm opposed to hybridization (for myself) is that the "pure" or "natural" species are prettier. I could care less if others hybridize. To each his own. IMO those who feel otherwise do not fully appreciate CA cichlids. I mention for instance, nebuliferus and irregularis, my "favorite" CA's. But for now, I'll compare this head shot of one of my F0 bull male synspilus
Rio Sartoon to flowerhorn any day:
Remember, that's a measly 5 megapixels. Somebody please show me a better
head shot? I'm curious if there is one. I'm keeping 2 bulls and 4 female syns-Sarstoon in a 210 gallon. Both males are about 14" and the girls
flame orange (in addition to every other) coloration in courtship that "bars the door and then mops the floor":
(The big pale yellow area above the ice-blue on her belly is where she goes bright orange.)
That reminds me, one of my (2 male) guttulatus breeders, which I prefer to zonatus:
3) Your "rainbow regani" are probably mislabeled. The ones in Don's photos are wild
Rio Nachatal regani, and likely what he shipped you. He may have told you they are "rainbow colored," which they are, in courtship, and pretty much the rest of the time. Superb choice for a 150+ gallon tank, same as the argentea.
4) Not that it matters, but Don has seen lymphocystus on upwards of seven
different species at Mexican and Central American collection points. If nobody else has seen it on cichlids there, or at least not reported it, maybe that's because no one else collects anywhere near as many CA's for distribution, never has, and probably never will?? Something to consider.
5) Not that it matters, but did you get any lymph or hybrids? Of course not. Out of the millions of fish he's distributed, practically
nobody has gotten any hybrids from Don's farm in 7-8 years except about 2 X-breeds that were advertised as such. Prior to that, the sp. "Hondo" was a fairly isolated instance and he wasn't fully at fault for that. Anybody that gets hybrids from DCT should mention it to Don himself and then promptly take a picture and get a full refund, instead of blathering around various chatrooms about it. In doing business with someone, most of us at least have the courage to say a) our name and b) the exact nature of our complaint and c) are ready to verify it, if for some crazy reason
, first a supplier won't honor his obligation. Ever notice how some people hide behind screen names anonymously while badmouthing others that maintain legitimate careers and stake their reputations on their stock? Anybody with complaints about DCT fish should take it to the
source instead of rushing out to add grist to the rumor mill. If not, that type of customer probably has some serious issues about his/her own priorities. My understanding is that Don has not had any (unresolved) complaints
directly from
his domestic or international customers in decades. None that were reported
to him, anyhow. And he doesn't frequent fish forums...he's a wholesaler, so what good would it do?
6) I'm told Don is pleased to be of service and have you as his valued customer and would always like to know the results of any purchase. He would be happy to photo ID any DCT cichlid at any time for you, now, or at any time in the future...and answer any other questions you may have concerning fish from his farm. In case it escaped anyone's attention, DCT is extremely interested in satisfying each and every customer, hobbyists and distributors alike, to the extent to which it in within his power to do so - just like most every legitimate supplier that has any intention of staying in business. Those that don't soon go back to pumping gas, of course.
7) Needless to say, I'm glad you opted for
real cichlids - a man after my own heart!
Comments welcome on who may be inevitable problems.
