Twig Cat (Farlowella vittata)
An unique algae-eater for the peaceful aquarium.This is a extra large one at 7.5 inches.
Black Water Biotope Aquarium
I have created many different types of aquariums over the years. And this is not my first biotope aquarium but it is my first black water aquarium. So first let's answer the obvious questions.
What is a Biotope Aquarium ?
A biotope aquarium contains fish and plants (if present) that live together in the same place in nature. It replicates the habitat, water parameters and materials found there, like sand, gravels, leaves, branches, roots, rocks and other woods. It is decorated to look as it would look if you were to snorkel underwater in that very place. In this case the Rio Negro, a tributary of the Amazon River.
The advantages of biotope aquariums for fish, are that by creating a habitat similar to that they evolved to live in in the wild, they should be more settled, show more natural behaviour, and even breed. Fish that live in the same biotope have evolved to live together and fulfil different niches. It a natural and beautiful way to keep your fish.
What is Black Water River ?
A blackwater river is typically a slow moving water flowing through forests, swamps, or wetlands. As plants on the rivers edge drop leaves, seed pods, roots and branches into the water, they decay releasing tannins into the water. These tannins seep into the water, making a transparent, acidic water that is darkly stained, resembling black tea. Because of this blackwater rivers typically have a lower more acidic pH level. Also, less light penetration due to the darker water colors, means these waters generally have little plant growth in the water.
The Amazonian Rio Negro tributary biotope aquarium shown here, shows the rivers edge with trees roots coming down with various logs, branches and leaf litter covering the bottom. This is home to cardinal tetras, german blue rams and the L397 alenquer tiger pleco. Also soon looking to add red pencil fish in the future.
Asian rummynose rasbora are in stock. Males have blue bodies with an orange face and on the tips of thier tail fin. These scaleless, vibrant fish are a favorite of fish keepers and also look great in planted aquariums.
Name: Asian Rummynose Rasbora
Science Name: Sawbwa resplendens
Temperament: Peaceful
Max Size: 1.5″
pH: 7.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 70-78F° (22-27°C)
Care Level: Easy
Life Expectancy: 5 Years
Minimum Tank Size Recommended: 10 Gallons
Groups: Recommended in groups 6+
Molly's, Swordtails & Platys currently in stock
Message for fish pricing
Fish listed in order of the video:
Longfin Lyretail Molly's
Black Swordtails
Painted Swordtails
Blue Coral Platy
Classic Orange Swordtails SOLD OUT !!!
Neon Swordtails
Red Back Golden Swordtails
Guppies and Endlers currently in stock
Message for fish pricing
In order in the video:
Albino Sky Blue Guppy
Yellow Pingu Guppy
Platinum Dumbo Ear Guppy
Pink Tuxedo Guppy
Double Swordtail Endler
Bumble Bee Guppy
Blue Snake Endler
Beautiful adult discus and bristlenose plecos in stock.
Relaxing rain on the tub ponds.
Apistogramma Agassizii Double Red Spawning
Well despite tanks being moved around from the flood it did not discouraged this pair of apistogramma agassizii double red from spawning on a plant pot in a tank with endlers, celestial pearl danios, and a few young bristlenose plecos. The female changed to bright yellow spawning color and the pair spawned right in the front of the tank for perfect viewing.
Unfortunately this tank is not set up for breeding and it doubtful the parents will be able to protect any fry that hatch. But I think I'm going to move this pair into thier own private tank once the new store is set up and opened in hopes they spawn again.
Even so any time a new species spawns for us in the store its exciting times.
German Blue Rams, Strawberry Pigeon Blood Discus, Parkinson Rainbowfish, Breeder Trilineatus Corydoras and L397 Alenquer Tiger Plecos.
(The discus are sold)
Red Laser Rainbowfish, Boesemani Rainbowfish, and German Blue Rams
Blue Diamond Discus, Blue Turquoise Discus and German Blue Rams
Spotted Butterfly Hillstream Loach Adults
I have mentioned to some about these large loaches. There are both adult spotted butterfly hillstream loaches and tiger hillstream loaches. An adult tiger hillstream loach reaches 2 inches. While the spotted butterfly hillstream loach is nearly 4 inches. A few times in the video the 2 species pass each other and notable size differences can be seen. These are definitely the big boys of the hillstream loaches. Beautiful agile and very active fish that need flowing well oxygenated water.
Black Molly
There is an advantage to keeping this species in the aquarium is that it likes eating algae. As every species of the cleaning crew, it has its favourite ones. The black molly is really effective with cleaning green and brown algae, as well as diatoms. Moreover, the young individuals also feed on cyanobacteria. Adult fish prefer cleaning green algae, supporting their diet with flake food.
GloFish tetra, pineapple swordtails, and honeycomb pleco
L397 Alenquer Tiger Pleco's and Red Tiger Turquoise Discus
Amano Shrimp
While they might not be the prettiest shrimp, they are a hard working shrimp that has a big appetite for algae. I placed this plant in their tank that had developed algae on some of its leaves, and they began working furiously at tearing it off and eating it. These hard working shrimp had that plant all clean by the next day. I consider them a essential part of any planted tank clean up crew.
Denison Barb, Bandit Cichlids, Clown Loaches and Whiptail Catfish
Full grown Buenos Aires tetras, with green severums, firemouth cichlids, green terror cichlids, spot cheek cichlids, and blue acara cichlids.
Spot Cheek Cichlid (Thorichthys ellioti) Spawned in Store
We have had various fish breed in the store over the years and now we can can include the spot cheek cichlid. A pair formed, and eggs were laid about a week and half ago on the side of a large piece of wood. These fish care and protect there young. A few days later the eggs hatched after the female dug out a large pit to contain the wigglers. Here they stayed for 5 days while using up thier yolk sacs. One the 6th day they started to try and swim. And here in the video is 7 day old fry with there first day of swimming about. This fish pair are excellent parents grabbing any fry that stray out of the pit and moving them back. Soon they will venture around the tank keeping the fry together best they can. I estimate there are approximately 100 fry. For first time parents, they are doing a great job as not all fish get it right and are successful on the first spawning attempt. It is fascinating and amazing behavior to watch.
