Hi all,
I'm looking for some detailed informations about the tank setup for Etheostoma caeruleum in order to reproduce as much as possible the natural biotope of those wonderful fish.
I'm going to use a sponge air filter so I can get som flow and a good oxygenation.
First of all, the question about hybridization. In my introducing thread, Fundulus was doubting that E. caeruleum and E. blennioides would hybridize, but how can I be sure about this ? The fact is that I have the opportunity to buy some E. blennioides with my E. caeruleum and I certainly don't any hybrids in my tanks.
I guess they need soft water, with low conductivity, right ? But what about the pH ?
Regarding the setup, should I use fine sand, gravel, small stones and big round stones ? If yes, should I place them on different level so that I can have some sort of a little hill ? Example picture would be welcome (I can't reaaly find some in the gallery...)
I've never used such a setup with stones because dirt accumulates between and under the stones. Any advice ?
Plants are also needed to absorb the nitrates, but what sorts of plants should I preferably use ?
Well, that's it for the first detailed questions.
Thanks for your kind help and advice.
Joël
Tips needed for a new tank setup
Started by
Guest_Joel_*
, Mar 04 2011 04:31 PM
6 replies to this topic
#2
Michael Wolfe
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- North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage
Posted 04 March 2011 - 06:17 PM
Darters don't need much depth of water so start with a couple inches of dirt (I like the red clay dirt form my backyard here in Georgia)... put some hardy plants in the back of the tank towards the right side... something that can take the current and help you break it up... I use crypts and java fern because they are easy... cover the remaining surface with medium sized natural pea gravel... now you dont have to worry about anything accumulating in the substrate... it is already dirt.
Next, put a powerhead and your air driven sponge on the leftside and aim the powerhead towards the front right of the tank. This will create a nice flow across the front of the tank where you want the fish to hang out so you can see them.
Put some more random rocks of whatever here and there to create a few breaks in the current for the fish to move in and out of space or establish territories.
I dont worry much about water hardness or pH...
And I would not worry at all about hybridization between these two darters... Bruce was just being extra accurate by saying it 'probably' wont happen... I will just be hyperbolic and tell you it wont happen... and to the point that Erica and I made before, if by some freak of nature it did, it is very unlikely that you will ever raise darter fry in a community tank.
Next, put a powerhead and your air driven sponge on the leftside and aim the powerhead towards the front right of the tank. This will create a nice flow across the front of the tank where you want the fish to hang out so you can see them.
Put some more random rocks of whatever here and there to create a few breaks in the current for the fish to move in and out of space or establish territories.
I dont worry much about water hardness or pH...
And I would not worry at all about hybridization between these two darters... Bruce was just being extra accurate by saying it 'probably' wont happen... I will just be hyperbolic and tell you it wont happen... and to the point that Erica and I made before, if by some freak of nature it did, it is very unlikely that you will ever raise darter fry in a community tank.
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
#4
Guest_Joel_*
Guest_Joel_*
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Posted 05 March 2011 - 10:01 AM
Thanks for all those precious informations and the interesting video. They will be very helpful.
I hope you realize how lucky you are with your native fish tanks. We don't have such nice and interesting fish in the rivers around here...
Joël
I hope you realize how lucky you are with your native fish tanks. We don't have such nice and interesting fish in the rivers around here...
Joël
Edited by Joel, 05 March 2011 - 10:01 AM.
#5
Guest_mywan_*
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Posted 06 March 2011 - 05:49 AM
Here is a list of all freshwater fish from Belgium listed on fishbase:
http://www.fishbase....&vhabitat=fresh
Of those 50 are several interesting fish, including several loaches. The weatherfish looks more interesting than the Asian variety (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) seen in petshops here. If those loaches was native I would definitely be keeping some of them. I like the personality of most loaches.
http://www.fishbase....&vhabitat=fresh
Of those 50 are several interesting fish, including several loaches. The weatherfish looks more interesting than the Asian variety (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) seen in petshops here. If those loaches was native I would definitely be keeping some of them. I like the personality of most loaches.
#6
Guest_Joel_*
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Posted 06 March 2011 - 04:09 PM
You're definitely right ! I should set up a native Belgian tank !
Gobio gobio, Phoxinus phoxinus, Gasterosteus aculeatus and Rhodeus sericeus are my favourites, but those fish are not very high in colours. As a teenager, I used to fish in ponds, but those fish were already not frequent anymore in the seventies.
Anyway, your suggestion is worth trying !
Joël
Gobio gobio, Phoxinus phoxinus, Gasterosteus aculeatus and Rhodeus sericeus are my favourites, but those fish are not very high in colours. As a teenager, I used to fish in ponds, but those fish were already not frequent anymore in the seventies.
Anyway, your suggestion is worth trying !
Joël
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