What were your fish doing at midnight?

[Zack Wilson]

Over and over again, I am reminded of why these are my favorite fish. I just don't know if any other will top D. maculatus for me. I was shutting off lights tonight and the mac growout tank was the last one. Apparently with all the other lights out, the male could see his reflection and he started parading and challenging himself. He wouldn't stop, and I don't think I got a bad pic. Took almost 50 shots. Just wish I had him in a tank with better glass and I'd had a chance to wipe it down.

Like Father (this is an old pic of his dad)

Like Son

 

[freshwaterfishfan]

Nice pics

Zach,

Nice pics. What camera/flash/etc do you use?
In the first photo, the fish behind the D. mac male, is that a D. sp. Tapejos? It seems to have the "dash" like markings.
Steve

 

[Zack Wilson]

Thanks. I had a nice subject, so that helps. Not that this is critical, but here's what I think matters: F18, 1/200sec, ISO 320, external mounted flash set to auto. Lighting on the tank can be just as critical. For one, when in his usual tank, the bulb temperature is much cooler and brings out the blues more prominently, much like the first pic. Right now he's with some juveniles, as I'm setting up another trio for spawning.

The first, older shot, was taken with the built-in flash on the camera, before I got my SB-600.

Less important; shot w/ Nikon D200, 18-200mm AF-S DX VR general lens. I've shot with Canon and gotten very nice shots as well. I'm just more comfortable with my Nikon. Any SLR can take those shots, provided the user is up to it. A point-and-shoot *could*, but there are a lot more limitations that make it more difficult.

Oh, and yes, that's a D. sp. "Tapajos"

 

[markus383]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1