Oh Shite
Yep, that's what I said after seeing the state of my tank. Too much shite since I added that X royal, and as much as I want to keep it with me, now it seems it has to go.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Merodontotus tigrinus
Scientific name: Merodontodus tigrinus
Family: Pimelodidae
Common name: Zebra Shovelnose, Tigrinus catfish, Tiger striped catfish.
Maximum size: 24"
Origin: Brazil (Rio Maderia), Peru and Colombia (Caqueta River)
Things to note:
M. tigrinus is one of the most expensive catfish around, and you need to plan carefully before you get one. That said, it is rather hardy, and you don't need to go to extremes to keep it happy; some shade, slightly acidic water and fresh supplies of food will do.
Personal comments : The reason why M. tigrinus is expensive, is because it is one of the most attractive catfish! Almost always moving, and with beautiful body markings and long tail fringe, it is love at first sight for most hobbyists specialising in catfish.
Tips : If you prefer specimens with straight zebra like markings, choose a small specimen with stripes. Inevitably though, the markings will slant and become a kaleidescope of white against black. A really comfortable tigrinus will even have metallic blue coloration.
.....................................................................................
Feeding:
They have similar feeding habits like most of the catfishes. When they're small 2"-6", they can be fed on bloodworms, small feeder mollies and other smaller feeder fishes daily or every other day, once they get to 8"-12" they should take big mollies and other big feeders readily. MP can be train when juvenile.
Breeding: These fish does not bred in captivity.
Behaviour in captivity:
Provide this fish with a minimum 6'x3'x3' tank/pond and a large filter such as a sump tank. As far as water quality goes, they will be fine with a PH between 6.5 to 7.5 and a temperature of 22- 26C, they need plenty of surface water movement and plenty of oxygen in the water. These fish can be housed with fishes such as stingrays, STs, arowanas and etc. Just make sure that they are of equal size or bigger as this cat has large mouth and will eat anything that fits its mouth. If you are keeping more than one in a tank, the tank has got to be big and ensure you provide sufficient rock slabs for them to hide. if not, fights will definitely occur. It is better to have at least 3 and above so that the aggression towards any single fish will be minimized. We find that they adapt well to our local temperature without any need for adjustment. As they are usually found in 'whitewater' environment, pH for this fish should be either neutral or slightly acidic (region of 6.5).The rushing water in its natural habitat provides for water turbulance and high level of dissolved oxygen. It is important to simulate this. In our tank, an internal powered filter provides this (in addition to addtional filtration capacity). Provide shade and hiding place/cave for this nocturnal creature. Lighting should not be overly bright. Take care to provide sufficient turbulance and high dissolved oxygen (an internal power filter is highly recommended). Make sure that your tank is equiped with efficient filtration as the Tigrinus requires well good water condition.
Family: Pimelodidae
Common name: Zebra Shovelnose, Tigrinus catfish, Tiger striped catfish.
Maximum size: 24"
Origin: Brazil (Rio Maderia), Peru and Colombia (Caqueta River)
Things to note:
M. tigrinus is one of the most expensive catfish around, and you need to plan carefully before you get one. That said, it is rather hardy, and you don't need to go to extremes to keep it happy; some shade, slightly acidic water and fresh supplies of food will do.
Personal comments : The reason why M. tigrinus is expensive, is because it is one of the most attractive catfish! Almost always moving, and with beautiful body markings and long tail fringe, it is love at first sight for most hobbyists specialising in catfish.
Tips : If you prefer specimens with straight zebra like markings, choose a small specimen with stripes. Inevitably though, the markings will slant and become a kaleidescope of white against black. A really comfortable tigrinus will even have metallic blue coloration.
.....................................................................................
Feeding:
They have similar feeding habits like most of the catfishes. When they're small 2"-6", they can be fed on bloodworms, small feeder mollies and other smaller feeder fishes daily or every other day, once they get to 8"-12" they should take big mollies and other big feeders readily. MP can be train when juvenile.
Breeding: These fish does not bred in captivity.
Behaviour in captivity:
Provide this fish with a minimum 6'x3'x3' tank/pond and a large filter such as a sump tank. As far as water quality goes, they will be fine with a PH between 6.5 to 7.5 and a temperature of 22- 26C, they need plenty of surface water movement and plenty of oxygen in the water. These fish can be housed with fishes such as stingrays, STs, arowanas and etc. Just make sure that they are of equal size or bigger as this cat has large mouth and will eat anything that fits its mouth. If you are keeping more than one in a tank, the tank has got to be big and ensure you provide sufficient rock slabs for them to hide. if not, fights will definitely occur. It is better to have at least 3 and above so that the aggression towards any single fish will be minimized. We find that they adapt well to our local temperature without any need for adjustment. As they are usually found in 'whitewater' environment, pH for this fish should be either neutral or slightly acidic (region of 6.5).The rushing water in its natural habitat provides for water turbulance and high level of dissolved oxygen. It is important to simulate this. In our tank, an internal powered filter provides this (in addition to addtional filtration capacity). Provide shade and hiding place/cave for this nocturnal creature. Lighting should not be overly bright. Take care to provide sufficient turbulance and high dissolved oxygen (an internal power filter is highly recommended). Make sure that your tank is equiped with efficient filtration as the Tigrinus requires well good water condition.
Update!
Sold three fish over the weekend, and bought one. The L25, L91 and the red polo went, while a full orange tail L14 came into my tank. One vice for another? ;)
On another note, the gibbiceps in my top monster tank, is doing a monster job of keeping the tank algae free!! It's amazing what a hungry pleco can do to beautify the whole tank.
I hope to be able to add more profiles in by today, please be patient!
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
New Acquisitions!
Added in a 8" Megalancistrus and a 10" Megalodoras irwini yesterday. Amazingly excited! I have been searching for a mega this size for ages, and when I chanced upon it yesterday, nothing could have stopped me from getting it!!! The irwini is also impressive, especially the thorns! Dare you to hold it!!
On a side note, my tigrinus has settled down and is swimming around in the tank; no longer at the sides of the tank. There's a lot of cool fish all inside one tank!!!
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