African Inspirations

Post by **Shane** » 13 Dec 2008, 07:25

Thought I would put up some snaps of various bodies of freshwater I have come across. Plenty of aquascaping inspiration here.

1) A fine morning's catch.

2) Chiloglanis habitat in the Escarpment (Mpumalanga).

3) Lower Crocodile River. The visible bank is actually inside Krugar Park. Note collecting hazards.

4) Lower reaches of the Crocodile River. Note that the same rock formations visible on the bank are also underwater.

5) A small creek in Pilanesberg. This, to my mind, is the typical African setting most aquarists are after.

Loracidlover · Post by **Loracidlover** » 13 Dec 2008, 12:48

Beautiful pictures, especially the last, that's a real inspiration for tanks. I'd absolutely love a group of chiloglanis like you have in the 1st pic, or indeed a few more euchilichthys to add to my lone little e.guentheri, very few and far between over here unfortunately.

andywoolloo · Post by **andywoolloo** » 13 Dec 2008, 13:14

wow...amazing!! so beautiful!! and a bit dangerous looking!!

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 13 Dec 2008, 13:40

Loracidlover wrote:Beautiful pictures, especially the last, that's a real inspiration for tanks. I'd absolutely love a group of chiloglanis like you have in the 1st pic, or indeed a few more euchilichthys to add to my lone little e.guentheri, very few and far between over here unfortunately.

Agreed - those chiloglanis are really nice

I always think it's useful to see habitat shots as they can provide insight into how aquascapes can be improved to the benefit of the fish - good work Shane

Loracidlover - have you a pic of the Guentheri? I'd love to see it

Loracidlover · Post by **Loracidlover** » 13 Dec 2008, 13:52

Hello Richard, I haven't a shot of the little guy, he's still fairly shy, but next time I see him I'll see if I can snap one. I got him for free (!) since he came in as by-catch with some Nanochromis and was literally the thinnest looking fish I've ever seen, the shop didn't know what he was and couldn't get him to eat, but he's doing very well now, and is rather fat. I notice you have a couple listed in your cats, where did you find them? and how much could I expect to pay for one if I was able to find another?

Conrad

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 13 Dec 2008, 13:59

Mine came from Wheatley (MA), they've had them in twice AFAIK but mis-identified as Chiloglanis. I think they were about £18 each.

Neil Hardy Aquatica (wholesaler) has just sold out of a shipment of Chiloglanis sp to uk stores so i missed seeing them. These could've been Chiloglanis or maybe Euchilichthys? However, they're out there in the shops somewhere, we've just gotta find them. I once had an Atopochilus which i got locally many years back & that too was ID'd as chiloglanis

bronzefry · Post by **bronzefry** » 13 Dec 2008, 16:30

Shane,
Thanks for posting these photos! Which collecting spot was the most fun?
Amanda

Post by **Shane** » 14 Dec 2008, 06:45

Thanks for all the comments. Amanada, the second photo down is a small tributary of the Crocodile and one of my favorite collecting spots. I took Jools there when he visited. The water is clear and cool and the location is shaded. You can also pull your vehicle close to the river bank. The spot is only good for Chiloglanis and they are easy to collect using the same methods you would for Chaetostoma. There are a number of cyprinids there too but they are all just plain "silvery."
-Shane

bronzefry · Post by **bronzefry** » 14 Dec 2008, 14:31

Too much fun!
Amanda

Post by **Shane** » 23 Mar 2009, 18:58

A great little place I came across back in Jan.
Note collecting obstacle. Top photo was taken about 3 miles down the road from the site by Erica.
-Shane

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 23 Mar 2009, 20:17

More great habitat shots

However, i think the radio collar spoils the rest of the cheetah's outfit

I was lucky enough to see three together in a group, in Kenya & they are a truly beautiful animal

andywoolloo · Post by **andywoolloo** » 23 Mar 2009, 21:10

that looks like a well fed cheetah! beautiful pictures again! it's like you live in national geographics wild kingdom! was that the name of that show? Used to watch it sundays night when I was small.

L number Banana · Post by **L number Banana** » 24 Mar 2009, 01:12

Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom!
Sunday nights before bed, now it's called...planet catfish.

andywoolloo · Post by **andywoolloo** » 24 Mar 2009, 01:30

that's it! mutual of omaha!! we used to all lie on the rug on the hardwood floor and watch it!!

Shane is living that! So incredible!

now it's called...planet catfish.

true!

Post by **Shane** » 24 Mar 2009, 12:16

However, i think the radio collar spoils the rest of the cheetah's outfit

We learned that this particular animal was saved by a rescue agency and transplanted to the area. Collar is so they can check it time to time and make sure it is eating and getting along well.

-Shane

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 24 Mar 2009, 12:26

Shane wrote:
However, i think the radio collar spoils the rest of the cheetah's outfit
We learned that this particular animal was saved by a rescue agency and transplanted to the area. Collar is so they can check it time to time and make sure it is eating and getting along well.

-Shane

Excellent news that it was a saved animal & that it's being monitored to ensure best chance of survival

longplay · Post by **longplay** » 25 Mar 2009, 10:36

Pictures are fantastic, and Africa too.

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