They look lovely,but I would be dubious about any claims of a true red strain,they look to me to be eastern european,the czech republic springs to mind,a lot of haps are produced there and are usually full of hormones,I have had some beautiful hybrids that eventually lose their colour and did not breed true.I may be completely wrong but I would be worried about a high price tag and would make enquiries with uk importers first.

Ray, I have spoken at length with the breeder and he assures me that there are no hormones or dyes in the diet. He has raised them from babies and has a breeding colony going.

So far, they should arrive next Tuesday. Getting really excited. I have a 6ft tank ready, partitioned to divide the 12 males from the 12 females. I will then select the superior 3 or 4 males, put them with the females and have a breeding community.

You would not beleive the red tape to import fish like this, but the govt staff are very helpful and patient to help.

Good luck with the importing of the fish Yanton, they look great in the pictures

smashing looking fish yanton , hope they give you years of pleasure

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senile old git

Looking good for arrival on Tuesday afternoon - soooo excited

Speaking with the breeder, he says about 30% of the males get to the colour standard of those in the pictures.

It will be great to get some quality red peacock aulonocara in the UK at last. The 'so called' dragon blood (or firefish) are only available in an orange colour on pink background. Also, the german red aulonocara are not a strong red like these fish, but tend toward a rusty orange colour.

For the new fish, I have a 6ft tank ready, with rockwork and a divider. The females will go straight into the rockwork area, and the males into the bare section. I will closely watch the males and choose only the few very best coloured ones, which will join the females in the breeding community. I can then move the secondary males to other tanks, remove the divider and let them get breeding naturally. I am going to add loads of hiding places (using ventilation bricks) for the fry. Then I can 'harvest' young adults to breed or sell. Thats the plan anyways.

Any pictures of your set up Yanton?

Nick, only rocks and water at present.

the fish arrived - I expected them to be more orange - but no, they are bright red like the pictures - amazing fish - fantastic.

keeping an eye on them, to select the very best for breeding

Glad they all arrived safely.

Can't wait to see some pictures....or having some fry off you

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8' x 2' x 2' - Piece of Ocean.
6' x 2' x 18" - Wild Caught Zaire 'Moba' Frontosa
4' x 2' x 20" - Malawi
4' x 22" x 18" - Malawi + Victoria
4' x 18" x 18" - Breeding Cuban Cichlids.
Trigon 190 - Paratilapia Polleni
30" x 1' x 1' - Hospital Tank
2' x 1' x 1' - Tropical

and

7x - 1' and 2' cichlid fry tanks

I can forsee quite a decent sized queue slash