This tank has 3 Hemichromis Lilafi females, who are all a little more than 1" SL. They were recovering in this tank from being beaten on by the males, but I decided to keep them separated until each gender grows up a bit and isn't so vulnerable. They're supposed to be fairly aggressive, and one of the reddish fish ever. Right now I can see red tinges on them, but they're mostly tan colored with cyan irridescent scales. They're also fairly shy fish, who tend to hang around not far from a rock or plant, almost perched.. when food is put in the tank, they seem oblivious at first, then dart out and gobble it, returning almost instantly to their still, oblivious state..

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We fed them some mosquito larvae that we recently discovered in a shallow puddle in our lawn, and the fish really came to life. we're happy to know that we won't have to worry about finding mosquitos flying around the basement in a few days, because they were snarfed down within seconds.

1/99

We have put the males and females in one 20 gallon long tank. For some reason, the males are fairly tolerant of each other, but intolerant of the females. We put a porous divider in, and separated the genders. Interestingly enough, in the "female" side of the tank, one fish would mysteriously color up and look "male", and pick on the others. We would remove "him" to the male side of the tank, and then another one would color up and become mean. Finally, there is only one "female" left on the female side. She's healing well from being the lowest in the pecking order, but she's still VERY shy. We hardly ever see her, even when feeding them. I ought to get a light for the tank though, they're probably socially maladjusted from being in a dim basement all day. Alas, electricity is expensive in Vermont!