This picture shows the female and her fry from the end of January. (See "log of fry" in sidebar for exact dates and "archives" to read her story.) These babies were the first batch that were taken to the fish store. Ahhh, memories.
I originally had a 12 gallon tank with 5 african cichlids that were born in November 2003; one male ("Mr. Blue") & four females. I raised them and in August 2005, they bred and 3 female fry survived. A breeding frenzy ensued and at one point, I was selling their fry to a fish store for enough money to break even on fish supplies (food and filters). Sadly, in November of 2006, Mr. Blue passed away after siring over 300 babies. June 2007, one of the grey females died. In May of 2008 another grey female died, and in June 2008 I lost yet another grey. I now have a 36 gallon tank, which holds 6 females (3 grey and 3 albinos). The algae eater died early 2009 of old age. In the 12 gallon tank, I now have 1 male albino "fry", who was born in 2006 ("Mr. White"). He's fully grown now and I suppose I could breed him with the other females, if I were brave enough. This blog tells the tale of their journey through life.