scherazade

I've never seen anything like it. My usually rather recluse bristlenose has been out and about for the past few days. Today i noticed that his head is lumpy, like it's swollen, or tumour infested! Apart from this he seems fine. His side looks a bit red, this may have something to do with it or it could be down to him scraping to get into this bit of wood (he outgrew it ages ago but the new stuff has never been adopted) This is very upsetting, and i honestly have no idea whats wrong. i've had him for about 4 years and theres been no new additions to the tank for months. All water conditions are fine (ammonia 0, nirite 0, nitrate 20ppm, pH 6.5) Its a heavily planted tank with neon tetras, black phantoms, cories and a siamese fighter. Anyone have any ideas??

hey steves killies. Nice avatar you've got there, pity thats not one of your killies. I'm flattered you wanted to nick my picture but really you should ask first. It was damn hard getting him to stay still and i would appreciate you stop using it. :evil: sorry for derailing your thread candy. As far as plants go I think indian water fern is fantastic. It grows quite high so would be good in your deep tank. I found some in hollywood fishfarm a few weeks ago. I'm not sure where abouts you are but they tend to have nice healthy plants.

Thanks for the info Klayman. I would imagine an 8" archer could keep anything in line!! What was the salinety of that tank? and how did you acclimitise the bristlenoses? thanks -scherazade

Hi, i saw you mention in the very first post (i'm a little slow here) that you had a brackish tank with a bristle nose?? How did it do in this environment and what was the salinity?? I have a puffer tank and have never heard of being able to have any kind of catfish. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated

Java fern is supposed to survive but it's not doing too well in my tank. The eel grass is going great though. As for salt any kind of marine salt will work, instant ocean ect. regular table salt or freashwater 'tonic' salt is no good, it doesn't contain the trace minerals needed.

I have also just set up a brackish tank. I was setting it up specifically for a figure 8 puffer (so hard to get hold of!) so i was quite particular about the water params being exactly perfect. Keeping plants has turned out to be a mission too. I had read that java fern will survive but so far mine has turned a sort of grey colour and there large beak shaped holes in it.... All in all it was well worth the trouble cycling (need to find hardy brackish fish to cycle with or go the fishless route) and eventually getting the puffer. A few things to bear in mind though, theres no algae eaters i can think of, wood isn't so good as it can lower the pH and they need a high pH, most brackish fish are very messy so need a bgger tank then you might think and they can also get very nippy and terrotorial. Hope some of this is some help. Its by no means definitive just what i've learnt over the past few months research.

A few years ago i had a setup with an octopus and various other rock pool life. The octopus we found in a rockpool, it was a just a little baby. We didn't use skimmers or lights or anything, just a strong pump to create a bit of water flow. Every two days we would replace most of his water and bring him more food (mussels and things). We lived right next to the rockpools where he came from so it wasn't much of a mission. The octopus was one fo the most interesting pets i've ever had. He would recreate his 'garden' every time new things were added or they got messed up. In the end he grew too big though so it was back to the ocean. i would love to have another octopus, living in auckland though isn't quite as convinient though.

It is a Aplocheilus lineatus. labelled at the petshop (jansens) as a golden wonder panchax. A just had a quick look at various sites and it seems to be called by both names (panchax and killi) Probably just using the scientific name is the best way to go.

hehe, thats pretty much what i thought but not really being sure i thought it was best to get a second opinion I would like to set up a species only tank but it's just not possible, the tank at the moment is very peaceful and happy. tbh the panchax seem more interested in each other then any of the other fish. Shae, these neons are definate fighters, but it probabaly helps that the tank is very heavily planted. I think i'll have to control myself and just settle for a few more cories...

I have a pair of yellow panchax who seem to rule the tank. A few months ago i got a new guppy which was eaten within hours since then the only new fish have been more black phantom tetras to make the group bigger. I also have two lonely neon tetras and would like to increase their numbers too, but not if they are going to get eaten. So do you think the guppy was an isolated case, maybe because he was swimming near the top of the water (panchax only zone) or would anything be fair game? sorry about the rambling question but I dont want to buy neons as fish food thanks

thankyou fishy wise i have a pair of yellow panchax, a group of black phantom tetras, 3 albino cories and a big grumpy bristlnose. Hanging on for dear life are two neon tetras and 2 glowlights. They are from very old stock and i can't decide if i want more or not. and heaps of panchax fry!! hmmm, 9.00 co-incides with CSI but i'll see what i can do

Hello everyone, I've been keeping fish for years but just discovered this board. I've just got the one tank at the moment (student = tiny flat), but I probably spend more time with it then I do my text books I also have a GN250 which i love, makes transporting fish amusing too. I'm a bit shy so tend to lurk alot.... cya around