http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/weblog/ Fishkeeping en psymongreen http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=336 2012-02-01T13:25:08 +00:00 psymongreen Happy Feb fishy people! I can't believe the year is going so fast! Anyway, time for a little update :-) Happy news first - After a lot of driving around, I finally got the Rosys some girlfriends. They are quite possibly the most active fish I've seen! They certainly have me worked out - I only have to walk in to the dining room and they all come over to see if its time for a nibble! So much fun to watch though - definitely entourages me to eat at the table more :-D I thought I got all girls this time so that it would be a 50/50 mix, but under the tubes I picked for this tank, the front tube really brings out the "rosy" so it's hard to tell! I'm pretty sure I do have a mix though. I'll try and dig out the camcorder and post up a video of the little darlings. I will be leaving this tank to mature now - I might consider a bristlenose at some point in the future (pH is about 7.2 at the moment) On a sadder note, you may have seen my thread regarding my Amazon tank. After "helping" a cardinal on Saturday, I've noticed 1 further tetra with a tiny white spot in the same place. It's strange that it seems to be only effecting the Cardinals and only 1 at a time. I'm thinking of getting a UV unit, to see if that helps. Still not 100% sure on the diagnosis. I have taken some pics on my camera (rather than my phone) and I might have a look to see if they are any clearer. Unfortunately, I was a donut and left my memory card at home this morning :roll: Marine: Still not got any water in the tank! I've decided on stock, so it's just a matter of time and money now! I'm thinking of starting a thread detailing how much my "cheep" little cube has cost to date. And that's without doing any mods! :-s Anyway, more later ;-) http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=331 2012-01-16T12:43:49 +00:00 psymongreen Had a nice little trip out to my LFS on Saturday - I am now the proud keeper of 6 Rosy Barbs :-) These guys are fantastic! It's a shame they didn't have any females in, but the males seem to be happy enough for now. I will be adding some females at some point - once these guys settle in. At this point, I'm thinking of getting 6 girlies, to bring them up to 12. After that, we shall see :-) The obligatory pics... ;-) (quality isn't great, I took them on my phone) http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Barb5.jpg http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Barb6.jpg http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Barb12.jpg http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Barb15.jpg http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=329 2012-01-10T11:29:47 +00:00 psymongreen Well, it's been a fair few months since my last post on here. As the blogs were mentioned with regards my tank log post, I thought I'd give a little update on all things fishie for me :-) First off - My Amazonian tank: I've got a slight issue with my Cardinals - A little white blob appears on the tail, which gets bigger over time. I've lost one so far, and now have 1 with a large blob, and 1 with a tiny spec. Currently treating with Waterlife Sterazin, but not sure this is the best thing. I've already tried Waterlife Protozin. We shall see what happens... If this doesn't help, I'll try Waterlife Octozin - and then I'm at a loss... Still not sure what happened to poor Andre, but the girls have a new "stud" called Ozzy. After a rough start (the girls were not impressed!) he has now settled in, and his girls are much happier. In fact, they seem to be getting on better now than before. :-) First new project - I've finally aqua-scaped my empty tank. :-D Looking at 8 Five banded barbs initially & still deciding on a 2nd fish - possibly some Rosy barbs. Media is sitting happily in my 1050 external maturing. Should be ready this weekend :-) http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Barb1.jpg Currently, I've got (from Left to Right) Anubias Barteri on the wood, behind that is Cabomba (Can't remember the exact type!), Some nice Java fern on wood, Vallisneria Spiralis in the corner, some lovely plastic grass stuff :roll: and a couple of Echinodorus latifolious from my Amazonian tank. This is my first time buying plants from Aquajardin, and so far I'm very impressed. We shall see how they take. The aim was to leave lots of swimming space :-) My other project, is a Dennerle Nano marinus 60 cube. http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Marine%201.jpg So far, all I've done is taken it out of the box, and tried the light :-) I am SO looking forward to that project - need to finish a spot of DIY in the lounge first though... I'm thinking of upgrading the stock Skimmer, and going for a few soft corals, Hermits, Snails, Shrimp, a small Goby (or pair) - maybe a Neon and maybe a firefish/Royal Gramma. Anyway, I'm sure there will be more updates to follow :-D http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=278 2011-03-30T09:18:23 +00:00 psymongreen My name is Simon and I am a fish-o-holic. It has now been 3 weeks since my last confession… On a serious note – I can’t believe it’s been 3 weeks since I had a random natter on here! So here you go… ;-) Since my last post, Amazonia has been a bit eventful. I’ve had at least 2 batches of Apiso eggs. I say at least 2 – I only saw two clusters, but the 3rd Apisto girl was acting like the other 2, but in a corner that I can’t see. Anyway, a couple of weeks on and I’ve seen no little fry, so I guess that their first try didn’t make it. To be honest, I wasn’t really geared up for fry, so I’m not surprised. Next time, I’ll have my QT out ready, and move the mum and eggs over. It must have been randy season in the tank though ;-) – on Tuesday last week 1 of the corys decided it was her time to be a mum too. She didn’t look like she had many eggs, but I enjoyed watching the eggs on the glass. Again, they look to have all hatched now, but I can’t see any miniature Corys about the place. :-( I posted last week about my new bargain – I’ve now decided what I’m stocking. I think it might have to be called Rainbowfish Island… :lol: 3 Flame Red Dwarf Gourami, 3 Blue Dwarf Gourami (Each 1 boy to 2 girls), 6 Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish, 6 Forktail Rainbowfish and 2 Bristlenose Pleco. I might go for more RBF and less Gourami - still on the fence on that... I’m just doing the overnight pH test, and will re-test tonight, but it looks like my tap water pH is actually lower than I originally thought. Straight from the tap it looks to be about 7.6, so I am hoping it drops a bit more after 24 hours. Oh, and I think I’ll be popping in some assassins from the outset this time. I kind of promised my OH that I’d finish off some of the DIY before I set this one up – bribery seems to work… :hammer: At least it’s giving the new filter media a chance to mature :-D Anyway, enough for now. I’m sure I’ll be back with another update soon – and then I’ll follow with pics :-D http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=276 2011-03-08T09:23:08 +00:00 psymongreen It looks like Andr� has been a busy boy. As I posted yeterday, Steffi was being very broody and I came home to find she has laid a load of eggs on the side of the cave. :-D Anyway, came down this morning and I wondered what Andr� was doing at the other end of the tank - one of the other Agassizi has also laid eggs! Andr� has had a very randy 24 hours! :lol: So I've not got 2 batches of eggs at either end of the tank. The poor corys don't know where to go - they keep getting chased away. I did a quick bit of reading last night and it looks like if all goes well, they could hatch between 2 and 4 days after being laid. I was thinking of trying to get the eggs out now, but I have since changed my mind - I'm going to let nature take it's course with this batch and see what happens. Maybe next time I'll be better prepared with a seperate fry tank already set up - better read up on that as well I guess! :-) Anyway, I may be offering some Apistogramma Agassizi to good homes at some point in the future - fingers crossed :-) Mum with Eggs: http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Apisto%20eggs.jpg http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=275 2011-03-07T09:27:30 +00:00 psymongreen One of my female Agassizi has been causing mischief all weekend. She’s been chasing the poor corys every time they came down “her” end of the tank. Poor little corys had no idea what was up. Anyway, I think I now know why – I came down this morning to find her tucked in the bend of the cave. Not on the inside of the cave – on the outside. Dozy fishie. Anyway, she looks to be giving the sides a good clean and André is hovering “displaying” about an inch or 2 outside of her little patch. Looks like they may be getting ready to have some fishie fun. I’ll try and get some pics when I get home. On another note, I have now spotted about 6 little Assassin snail babies in the tank – they are so cute at that size! They can only be 1 or 2 mm in size. Anyway, must get on with some work – maybe more later on André and his romantic intentions towards “Steffi” :-) http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=273 2011-02-21T12:17:53 +00:00 psymongreen I wanted to take a couple of minutes to introduce my latest tank mates – I have been thinking about getting some Dwarf Cichlids for my Amazonian tank since before it was first set up. This weekend I finally went ahead and got some. I was on the fence. First I wanted Rams, then electric blue Rams, then Apistogramma Borellii. I’ve been back and forth quite a bit over the last month and at one point had even decided not to get any. :roll: After talking with LFS guy – he's been really helpful over the last 4 months – he suggested the ones I’ve now gone for… The condition was that I took the 1 male and the 3 females that were with him as a group. So now I’ve got 1 male and 3 female Apistogramma Agassizi. I’ve already decided on a name for the male – he had to be André :-D (that would be André Agassizi in full – couldn’t resist!) :lol: So far, Andre has been pretty shy. I’ve got a cave that he has already adopted as his – much to the annoyance of my Corys that used to love to have a snuffle in it. You never know where there might be food… I was happy to see that by the end of last night he was out investigating the tank a bit. I’ll admit that to start with I was a bit worried that I’d just picked a very pretty fishie that would spend all day hiding. The three girlies – André’s harem are already happy to go be nosey and see what’s going on around the tank. And anyway, André proved he was made of sterner stuff, as this morning, I spotted him investigating the thermometer for its edibility… I think he was a bit disappointed to be honest he he :-) I’ve taken a couple of pics - one of André and one of his girls. They are pretty in their own right as well – more interesting than some of the other female Cichlids I’d seen. Anyway, I’m sure I’ll be putting up more of André’s antics going forward – I think he’s going to be a right character. Oh, and how could I forget that I’ve now also got 2 more Otos as well… :-D http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Andre.jpg http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Andrea%20GF.jpg http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=271 2011-02-17T17:11:06 +00:00 psymongreen Well, time for a quick update before I head home. Is it me, or am I monopolising the blogs… :lol: I’m pleased to say my last 2 pencilfish are now back in the community tank and seem happy again. They tend to stick together and I think they are missing pencilfish company, but after my experience, I’m not sure I want to risk getting them some more friends. Anyway, they are eating and don’t look too bothered. They are certainly happier back in the community than in my QT – that is certain. 2nd update – I got 3 lovely little otos at the weekend. They are soooo cute! :-D They’ve already made a good dent in the algae on the Amazon swords, although they’ve got plenty to keep them full. I’m tempted to get another 2 at the weekend as they are so fun to watch. Sorry Corys :roll: – I have a new favourite fish. He he :-D Also, LFS has 1 lone black oto. I want to double check that it is in fact an oto and not something else that has been mislabelled though. They were trying to get me to give him a home in my tank as he could have some company with my otos. It had a size of 3 cm on the sigh, but this one already looked like it was around that size, if not a bit bigger. Best check I guess – although I can’t seem to find any pics of black otos on the interweb. If anyone has them or knows anything please let me know. On a sad note, just after the pencilfish incident, I think one of them was still in the tank somewhere - I had a Nitrite spike and it's all I can think may have caused it. Anyway, since then, I've lost a few of my Cherry shrimp it seems. I think I only have 2 left now :-o It might be that the others are hiding, but I'm not certain :-( - I know how sensitive they can be to water quality. Thankfully it’s all settled back down to normal again now. Anyway, I want to head home for the night – so be good, and I’m sure I’ll be back soon… ;-) http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=269 2011-02-09T13:16:26 +00:00 psymongreen Well, lets just say I wouldn't want to repeat a weekend like that again in a hurry. I'm not going back over the details but I lost 7 pencilfish on Sunday and I think the last 2 are not looking great. So far they've not eaten since the episode. Anyway, after a lot of me being upset and thinking maybe I've got in to the wrong hobby, I've decided to keep going. I'll just put it down to being unlucky and not let that stop me enjoying the fish I still have and planning for the future for my little friends. I was lucky I'd got a QT for my Prestella with the bump on it's nose or I'd have 0 pencils now. Prestella is still in the main tank - looks like it is a cyst or growth of some kind. He is still swimming around happily and has no symptoms of it being a parasite or NTD, so I guess I'll let him by until it stops him swimming or eating. He's now been nicknamed as Pinocchio... Anyway, I've decided to go ahead and get some Otos as I was planning. And I may then get the Apistos I was toying with before getting the pencils. Maybe I should have listened to myself! Anyway, more pics will follow if I do get some new additions. And on a different note - having had the QT set up in the lounge, OH has agreed that there is room for a 2nd tank after all - but I've been set a weight loss goal to get it. I might keep track of progress on here - a bit more motivation and all that - 2 stone to lose - well, 26 lbs as of this morning and counting... :-D http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/weblog/details.php?blog_id=268 2011-02-02T13:35:17 +00:00 psymongreen Guess what - fish tank update time ;-) I can't believe how quickly the last 3 months have gone! I've now got lots of little fishie friends happily swimming around at home. I thought I'd pop on and give a quick update with some more recent pics - just in case you had a spare 5 mins and felt like being nosey :-) I've now got 6 Prestella tetra, 6 3-lined pencilfish, 12 Cardinal Tetra and 6 Sterbai Corys. Oh, and I "think" I currently have 6 Blood Red cherry Shrimp in there somewhere, but as I only ever see a couple at any one time and the rest insist on hiding in the plants, I'm not 100% on how many of the little mites I now have. One of the downsides of having lots of nice plants I guess :-) On the plus side, my Nitrates only ever get as high as 15 in a fortnight, so the plants are certainly helping on that front. Oh, and of course, they look nice and give the fishies something to play in :-) I'm a bit worried about 1 of my pencilfish though - as previously posted, it looks like they do a bit of "Sparing" to decide who is top fish. One of them now looks to have a bit of rubbing on his sides - but he is keeping away from the others, still eating and seems to be ok otherwise. Keeping an eye on him in case he needs to be re-homed, but for now, it looks like the pecking order is being agreed. They are fantastic fish to watch and very fast. I've got a pic or two of them sizing up and they only have a go at each other and leave all the other fishies alone - exepct to be nosey at what the Cardinals are up to. it's funny watching the cardinals in a group of 3 or 4 and a pencilfish come tanking up to them. You can almost here the "what are you lot up to? Is it food?" question being asked :lol: Anyway enough natter, and here's some pics... ;-) Pencilfish: http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Another%20Pencilfish.JPG http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Pencilfish%20having%20a%20spar.JPG http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Pencilfish%20on%20own.JPG http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Pencilfish%20up%20close.JPG Cory: http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Sterbai%20having%20a%20nose%20about.JPG Prestella: http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Prestella.JPG http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Prestella%202.JPG http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Close%20up%20Prestella.JPG My tank with night lighting: http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Tank%20at%20night.JPG And I just couldn't resist - he found himself a nicy cosy spot to snuggle... My little boy Chino :-) http://www.psystar.co.uk/images/Chino%20snuggly.jpg