Larry, A Question...

[fischfan13]

Larry, after spending so much time in Lake Malawi I would like to know if you can look at someones aquarium and go "Wow"?

[why_spyder]

That is such a good question. It is hard enough to copy mother nature, let alone capture it in glass cage. :D

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

Only Vinman's tank! :neener:

[Larry Johnson]

Hi Guys,sorry missed this one.
I have seen more than a few tanks that I like.
Wowed?
Not exactly like you would see in Malawi,but still nice setups.The main theme is that it was working!
One that impressed me,,,,Large Mbuna and Peacocks and I mean large! 8 inch Acei! She fed the tank very well,to say the least! The tank was a 90 gal with about 25 fish.
Black gravel with a centre reef of Lava rock,the fish mostly swam around the 'reef' but could go thru it as well.I sat and watched it for a few hours and was amazed the fish actually acted like they were in the wild.
I think overall the biggest problem is that you have to seek out what the lake structure/habitat looks like. If you are looking for that effect.
There are many different "area types" in the Lake,volcanic rock,house size boulders,smaller boulders slopping to the bottom,sandy area's,and mixes of both.
Different rock structure different rock colors,,,,actually a lot of rock is red in color,completely overgrown with algae.
So things are not that easy,I mean where do you find all the pictures to get some idea's to set up something cool.
Not everyone has Konings 3rd or 4th edition to get idea's.
I have posted a few rock formation pics on my site,so hope this helps.

Namalenge Island
http://home.cogeco.ca./~ductapediver2/2005%20Pg1Namalenge%20Island%20049.jpg

I like the 'Big" Rock look,using large rocks creates a lot of nooks and crannies!

http://home.cogeco.ca./~ductapediver2/2005%20Pg1Namalenge%20Island%20150.jpg

Closer to 'shore', the water here was unusually clear,shot from the boat looking down.

Mbenji Island in the back ground
http://home.cogeco.ca/~ductapediver2/2007%20Ababi-Island-Mbenji-(52).jpg

What you see above the water is exactly what is below the waterline.

Mbenji Island underwater
http://home.cogeco.ca/~ductapediver2/2007%20typical%20UW%20scene%20Mbenji.jpg

Cheers,Larry

[fischfan13]

So then out in Lake Malawi are there fish that never encounter rocks...for instance Taeniolethrinops?

WOuld a person who is trying to mimic Lake Malawi be better off picking out River Rock to get the "look" of what some of Malawi is like?

[why_spyder]

I have always enjoyed the habitat shots.

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

Gotta love those shots! Keep em coming!

[Larry Johnson]

So then out in Lake Malawi are there fish that never encounter rocks...for instance Taeniolethrinops?
If you live and breed in Lake Malawi,there is bound to be rocks somewhere!
Where ever its sandy you will find Taeniolethrinops,the below shot is high up from the bottom,in a rocky area,but there is a sandy 'patch there' and you can see who I found!
I would not say that this fish is never found over rocks, but it must forage in sand for dinner.

Sandy patch at Mphanga Rocks.
http://home.cogeco.ca./~ductapediver2/2005%20pg4%20Mphanga%20Rocks%20b029.jpg

You can browse my site for some cool shots.Starting from 1999 when I used throw away U/W camera's,to probably the first digital used in Lake Malawi (2001),to my present camera (2007). 2008 pics are not up yet.
http://home.cogeco.ca/~ductapediver/larry's%20web%20page.htm

Cheers,Larry

[Larry Johnson]

WOuld a person who is trying to mimic Lake Malawi be better off picking out River Rock to get the "look" of what some of Malawi is like?
Large smooth edged boulder type rocks would be great IMO.
These should be of a ground color,,,or blah color,you want your fish to stand out against these rocks as they will be in the back ground.
Put enough in so that when you take pics you do not get the bounce flash off the back glass!
Heavy Rocks can be placed on 1/2 styro,to avoid any sharp pressure points on the bottom glass,before adding a fine gravel (not sand) cut as much of the styro away as what you can reach with a knife,then bury the rocks and styro with about 1 1/2 inches of fine gravel.Try to match the gravel color to the rocks,as best you can.
NOT sand ???,,,this eventually enters the filter and a the very least will damage your impellers!(ya,long story here)

Cheers,Larry

[AMBUSHPREDATOR]

I find other than the actual ( structure ) rock's and gravel the most natural tank's are the 2ft deep + ones . Seeing the fish swim away and toward's you is another dimension that is alway's missing especially with 1ft deep tank's. And the fish seem to appreciate it as well rewarding you with a more relaxed and natural behavior. Is it just me or have other's seen this as well?

[Larry Johnson]

Yes I would agree,,,I recommend the newer 4X2X2 tank size which is about 120 gallons!
Awesome tank!

Cheers,Larry