Apr 5, 2024
Eric sits down with Cichlid legend John Niemans to discuss his encyclopedic knowledge of cichlids. They discuss John’s experiences over 30+ years of keeping and breeding cichlids, lessons he’s learned along the way, breeding and fishkeeping tips for different cichlid groups like Africans, New World cichlids, Asians, and more. If you’re passionate about Cichlids, this episode is for you!
In this episode, they talk about:
Different cichlid breeding behaviors — substrate spawning, mouth-brooding, etc
Issues with growing fish in small tanks and buying stunted fish from stores
The dangers of keeping cold-water Plecos in ponds in California
Recommendation of Chris Biggs’ YouTube channel about isopods
The growth of local aquarium clubs like Aquascape Club and the events they hold
John’s past experiences with the Southern California Cichlid Association fish club
Upcoming speakers and events from clubs like Coast Club
The challenges of maintaining fish clubs long-term due to issues like politics and finances
Breeding fish varieties, differences between wild vs domestic strains, and selection techniques
Fish breeding experiences with Black Widows and Red Peacocks and the importance of selecting female breeders
Mentioned:
John’s Website California Cichlids: https://californiacichlids.com/
Links to resources:
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The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/
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And follow his adventures in the pond world at: