Re-org of flooded Amazon forest 90g

Byron

I did a bit of tidying up of the pygmy chain swords the other day, pulled up the older ones to allow the youngsters to spread out a bit. And the Corydoras were getting pushed out as their feeding space kept declining with the plant spread. So the flooded Amazon setup in the 90g is looking a bit more open by comparison. Frogbit on top still spreads like wildfire; it was covering less than 1/3 of the surface Friday, today more than half already.

Also a close-up (for Kymmie) of one of the group of Characidium fasciatum, who just happened to sit still long enough for my cheapo camera to do a time lapse pic; there's another one in the left background.

And a second photo of the C. fasciatum (who was being very obliging today) with two of the shoal of Corydoras habrosus, also showing their manners at sitting still.

Attached Images

	90g Apr 4-10.jpg (108.9 KB, 101 views)
	Characidium fasciatum.jpg (112.2 KB, 96 views)
	Corydoras habrosus & Characidium fasciatum.jpg (107.5 KB, 97 views)

herbwin

Wow! That's a gorgeous tank :)
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aunt kymmie

Sweet! I got my close up. The tank is really beautiful Byron. Maybe when I get my outdoor pond up and running I can talk you into getting some of that frog bit off your hands??
As always, nice work.

PS. In all that lushness do you ever see your Farlowella? I'd imagine he gets pretty "lost" in there.

LisaC144

Simply stunning Byron, as usual. And I don't see even one spec of algae. I don't know how you do it, but it is very impressive!

Byron

Thanks Lisa. Common green algae never really appears because the three Farlowella eat it; they are the most efficient algae consumers I've seen, equal to otos. But both of course only eat regular green (and brow) algae. The Farlowella graze every single small blade of those plants.

If you look you'll see all the wood is coated in brush algae. You can see it on the rear piece of wood in the first closeup photo, there are two C. hastatus sitting on top of it I see, as if on a mountain top surveying the valley below. Anyway, brush algae appears early on and I leave it on the wood. It lokis natural and it supports a host of life that feeds fry and small fish. I am sure one reason why fry in this tank often survive is the abundance of live zooplankton and whatever that lives in this algae; I know the fry and the pencilfish and the Characidium constantly graze through it and grab at bits of something.

Byron.

Byron

There are three Farlowella. When they are resting motionless on a plant leaf or the wood they are not easy to spot. But all three appear at the front down at the largest area of open gravel every morning, knowing that is where I drop the sinking food for them and the Corys. Most mornings I find them lined up, or on plant leaves nearby, and as soon as the top slides open and I gently tap (the meal gong) they scurry into position. Seeing them with the 3 pandas, 5 similis corys, 11 habrosus and 9 pygmys all jostling about in that area is quite entertaining.

When you're ready I'll try another package of frogbit. If it makes it, perhaps you could set some aside for Stephanie, she's in California; I sent her a package but it took over a week in the winter and was all dead. Might have better luck in warmer weather.

Byron.

aunt kymmie

That sounds great! You can send me a package of frog bit, once it multiplies I can send Stephanie a batch and she's going to send me some water lettuce. A win win for Stephanie and me.

I have a one inch Farlowella in qt right now. I know once I put him into my display it'll be a long time before I ever see him again. He's so teeny tiny. They are such cool looking fish.

Byron

One inch? You must have someone breeding them. I have never seen Farlowella less than 4-5 inches. They are not difficult to spawn, I have read a couple articles in magazines about aquarists spawning them successfully. The male guards and fans the eggs if I remember correctly. I think I have 1 male and 2 females, only going by girth; time will tell. When you do move him, make sure there is algae in the tank; like otos, they need algae to avoid starvation, but once settled they learn about tablets; alternatively, get him weaned on tablets prior to moving him.

This is the same tank where the baby Hyphessobrycon metae are growing up. Three (could be more, have only managed to count three at one time) are about 1/4 inch long now, and swim out among the other fish who ignore them. The parents are about 2 inches, they are the largest swimming fish in the photos.

Byron

Managed a couple of photos of the Farlowella this morning. Last is of one female on the wood, quite well camouflaged.

Attached Images

	DSCN8897.jpg (113.7 KB, 74 views)
	DSCN9363.jpg (108.3 KB, 74 views)
	DSCN9377.jpg (108.7 KB, 74 views)
	DSCN9383.jpg (91.7 KB, 74 views)

aunt kymmie

Byron, is it just my imagination or have your camera skills stepped up quite a few notches?? Either that or your fish have decided to be most co-operative! Yes, the farlowella I have is from a clutch (litter? what do you call a group of fry?) of a tank-bred pair. My display has tons of algae so I'm not worried as far as the Farlowella starving once I release him into this tank. My otos in the display are fat and happy and there's plenty of algae to go around. I've been feeding my little Farlowella spinach and cucumber and he appears to like it alot. I wonder how long it will take for my little incher to reach the size of yours??

I wouldn't think in a tank like yours you'd need to supplement diets with tablets?? It seems there's more than enough plant life to support small green/brown algae?