Artem

Ive bred some interestingly patterned Sterbais, have a look below. Just posted this topic on Planetcatfish so hopefully will get a reply soon. But has anyone seen this type of patterning before? In my opinion they look much better than the average Sterbai Cory. What do you think?

What I did was remove the eggs to an ice cream container which I floated in the main tank with an airstone going in it. Once they hatch wait until they absorb the egg sack then start feeding microworms and lots of daily water changes. Others feed BBS/DBSE but I'm too lazy for BBS and mine didn't take Decapsulated Brine Shrimp Eggs. In around a month depending on growth rate they might be able to take adult food/DBSE, my Sterbais take about a month and a half until they start eating adult food. Hope this helps :thup:

That post seems to sum it up really. For a tank that size you will only need a hang on back skimmer so no real need for a sump. You can always upgrade to a sump if you need it later on.

While you can grow out any combination of fry I wouldn't really suggest it. Perhaps Pandas and Angels will do fine together as they are both carnivores, however GBAs are herbivores so really shouldn't be kept with them. The GBAs you can leave in the tank with their parents, its actually much easier that way. Feed them lettuce leaves that have been soaked in boiling water for a minute, dont boil them, just soak. The Corys you will want to do very regular feeding and water changes for the first 2 weeks, feeding microworms and BBS (others feed Decaps Brine Shrimp Eggs but mine didn't go for it). I haven't bred angels so I cant help you out there, Im sure someone else will point you in the right direction. Ive heard if you raise Angels in taller tanks they get higher fins so that might be something you could look into. My 2 cents worth

I know :lol: they're one of my favourite fish :happy1: Come on people! Post some fatty catfish pics! :spop:

This is my fattest Oto, fingers crossed its a female!

You should try smuggling them over here :slfg: jk

Unfortunately all freshwater tropical shrimp aren't allowed to be imported to New Zealand. However NZ does have its own native shrimp that can be acclimated to 24 degrees and kept successfully for several months. I have a few left that have been in 24 degree tank water for over 6 months.

Would it be fine to feed these or other algae wafers as a staple diet for herbivore plecos?

Awesome, Ill give them a ring Thank you for everyone for the input!

@Josh: Yep, for plecos, but also for corydoras :thup: Is the bamboo in the garden section? I'll have to give some landscaping places a ring @GZ_loach: I must try this too. Thank you for the idea @hovmoller: Ill have to get some of those. Thank you for the link @Squirt: Do you know anyone in Wellington/Kapiti?

Im interested what you guys use for caves. I haven't seen any ceramic pipes - perhaps Im not looking in the right places? I use PVC pipes that I cut into 15cm pieces and ceramic pots from Bunnings with a hole in the side. Does anyone know where to get slate to make caves like the ones sold overseas? or would tiles be fine instead? Also does anyone know a place to get clay fired?

:slfg: It comes out to $126 NZD for a 5lbs bag, which is approximately 2.5kgs. So roughly $50/kg, Wardleys shrimp pellets are $61/kg. So Id say fairly reasonable

Not quite; in the wild a Blackwater river is caused by decaying matter leaching tannins into the water and exchanging ions. It turns out that peat does the exact same thing as decaying matter. And seeing as its cheaper and more abundant, why not use it? If you do leave leaves in the tank then yes, you will get an ammonia spike. The only thing you can do is have snails in there which will eat the leaves, it just depends if you hate snails)

Thanks Geoff Would you say they're worth the wait? @jim r: They're like shrimp pellets except with earthworms. Lots of people in the states and the UK use them for plecos, chiclids, cories and just about any meat eating fish.

I think you should do the peat extract and add a few ketapang leaves now and again. Peat simulates the conditions of a blackwater biotope. Ketapang leaves are found in some areas of blackwater rivers, but not all. It has been noted that fish around ketapang trees tend to be more vibrant thus it would make sense that adding these leaves would make our fish more vibrants, yes? However a blackwater biotope is not dependant on having ketapang leaves. As always, its up to you really.

Hmm, thats strange. Perhaps its just a case of bad luck, it'll pass Dont forget to update with pics when you get some fry :thup:

Does anyone know where to get earthworm sticks? And if there arent any in nz, does anyone know how to import them?

Are they in their own tank? If they are, the female should be removed once the eggs are laid so she doesnt snack on them.

+1 for hair algae. To treat it cut out as much as you can, do a double dose of flourish excel and watch it die! Seriously, it will die in a few days.

Thats such a shame! Im sure he will get it right the next time :thup: By the way, its lanceolata not lancelota, although lancelota sounds better; like lancelot

They should be fine as Danios don't tend to be aggressive.

Thanks for the clarification

Is propinqua the same as propinquum? Because the one on TM looks nothing like the propinquum on google..

You should also put in new JBL balls as they are meant to be replaced every year