Today, December 14th, I performed a 22.5 gallon water change. This is around
a 60% water change, if we consider water displacement by the tank's rock
decor and sand substrate. As I've said before, water changes always get the fish excited and energized.

On water change days -- usually every Monday -- I forego feeding the fish,
so that the tank has a chance to settle and get back in balance once the new water has been added. Today was no exception.

This evening, as I was working on my computer, I noticed that Mama Mbuna and
my dominant male -- Usurper or Bully Boy, I am not sure who is who now --
were doing the spawning dance underneath his rock. Nothing came of it
though, as her ovipositor is not yet protruding, and it isn't quite her time yet. She has been gorging herself with food again, so I know that her time
is near.

I was surprised though, as it didn't seem like so much time had elapsed
since her last spawn. So, out of curiosity, I just checked my log entries,
and here is what I discovered:


Spawn #1 - June 1, 2009

39-day lapse

Spawn #2 - July 10, 2009

50-day lapse

Spawn #3 - August 30, 2009

38-day lapse

Spawn #4 - October 7, 2009

36-day lapse

Spawn #5 - November 12, 2009


Going by the above table, Mama Mbuna will probably have her sixth spawn
before this next week is up.


Jeff Snyder, SysOp - Armageddon BBS Visit us at endtimeprophecy.org port 23 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your Download Center 4 Mac BBS Software & Christian Files. We Use Hermes II


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Hi Jeff.

I just wanted to let you know I do monitor this echo; and although I'm a lurker who doesn't know much/anything about fish I do enjoy reading your tails.

Just thought you should know.

... Some days you're the windshield, some days the bug.

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On 12/15/09, Jeff Snyder quoted Dustin Cook: Re: Water Change & 6th
Spawn Coming Soon.

Hi Jeff.

I just wanted to let you know I do monitor this echo; and although I'm a lurker who doesn't know much/anything about fish I do enjoy reading your tails.

Just thought you should know.

Hello Dustin. Thanks for your comments. I really appreciate you saying that. Sometimes I feel like I am just talking to myself here, but I figure that someone has to do their part to try to keep this lonely echo alive. As you
can tell, I am really into my fish. It's a nice, quiet, easy, fun hobby. It does require consistent work and weekly maintenance, but the rewards make
it worth it, at least to me. Oh, and it is a clean hobby as well. There's
no bird seed or bird feathers all over the floor, no cat or dog poop to have
to clean up, no fleas, ticks or lice, no noise other than the low hum of filters and pumps, etc. I have enjoyed and kept all manner of pets over the years, but given my current age and situation, fish suit me fine. :)

I hope that you will keep on reading, and offer an occasional comment now
and then.

Thanks!


Jeff Snyder, SysOp - Armageddon BBS Visit us at endtimeprophecy.org port 23 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your Download Center 4 Mac BBS Software & Christian Files. We Use Hermes II


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