Search found 4734 matches

by apistomaster
03 Jan 2024, 14:31
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Teach wild otocinclus to eat using another species?
Replies: 3
Views: 661

Re: Teach wild otocinclus to eat using another species?

I think it's a good idea to have similar species which are already well adapted and eating. I do suspect we have much to learn about the husbandry of some of these lesser known "micro-loricaridae." My impression is that they are specialists which are adapted to narrow ecological niches. St...
by apistomaster
23 Sep 2023, 02:14
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Zebra otocinclus spawning behavior
Replies: 34
Views: 5666

Re: Zebra otocinclus spawning behavior

Well the spirulina powder was a bust. The brand I got is a super fine powder that just clouds the water it's not even big enough to sink. I'll stick to Repashy for now. I've also started introducing small piece of Xtreme Scrapers wafer and I think a couple of them have taken interest so far.... I w...
by apistomaster
24 Aug 2023, 23:05
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Rio Itaya black Rineloricaria lanceolata spawned
Replies: 48
Views: 5590

Re: Rio Itaya black Rineloricaria lanceolata spawned

These Rineloricaria are more carnivorous. I'm sure they eat some algae, but I'm growing them out on live microworms. When they're a little bigger, I'll move them to a greenhouse grow-out tank that looks green with algae, and then I'll supplement the algae with shrimp flakes and later shrimp pellets...
by apistomaster
24 Aug 2023, 22:30
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Zebra otocinclus spawning behavior
Replies: 34
Views: 5666

Re: Zebra otocinclus spawning behavior

Congratulations and my compliments for capturing their spawning behavior in such detail.
I hope you have success with obtaining fry.
by apistomaster
18 Jan 2023, 18:26
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Nannoptopoma, Rhinotocinclus and Parotocinclus
Replies: 8
Views: 1674

Re: Nannoptopoma, Rhinotocinclus and Parotocinclus

Thanks Eric, I've been checking in over the years but am no longer keeping a fish room. Only a couple of 10 gallon tanks in which I'm attempting to breed some kind of wild caught Betta spp. supposedly Betta coccina but my males lack any blue side blotches. I had my Nannoptopoma back when I was raisi...
by apistomaster
18 Jan 2023, 04:47
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Nannoptopoma, Rhinotocinclus and Parotocinclus
Replies: 8
Views: 1674

Re: Nannoptopoma, Rhinotocinclus and Parotocinclus

I used to have 10 "Nannos " with a dozen Black Darter Tetras in a 20 long. They were always gathered on the area of bare glass the power head blasted in the substrate. Mine loved earthworm sticks. One hot summer day the powerhead died as did my Nannos, These miniature Loricarids are a fasc...
by apistomaster
13 Jun 2020, 21:21
Forum: Wanted (USA & Canada)
Topic: Wtb Claro lda008
Replies: 8
Views: 5943

Re: Wtb Claro lda008

I have seen A. claro listed on price lists from https://www.wetspottropicalfish.com/ from time to time but none today.
by apistomaster
11 Sep 2017, 23:44
Forum: Tank Talk
Topic: Catfish Die off no other fish affected
Replies: 12
Views: 4497

Re: Catfish Die off no other fish affected

Two Tank, You really nailed it in your Columnaris comments.
by apistomaster
10 Sep 2017, 00:35
Forum: South American Catfishes (Callichthyidae - Corys et al)
Topic: C sterbai coloration
Replies: 9
Views: 3778

Re: C sterbai coloration

I have this photo of juveniles I raised. They were over coarse, basalt, river worn sand.
C.sterbai0003.jpg
by apistomaster
08 Nov 2016, 20:02
Forum: South American Catfishes (Callichthyidae - Corys et al)
Topic: Eco-Complete substrate and cory catfish
Replies: 7
Views: 6701

Re: Eco-Complete substrate and cory catfish

Kink your siphon hose to control the flow. There is always a sweet spot between the density of the material and the water where the substrate will fall back into place. Crimp off completely as needed.
by apistomaster
01 Aug 2016, 22:57
Forum: Tank Talk
Topic: How do you do a "cool water change" to stimulate corys and plecos when you've got this?!?
Replies: 22
Views: 7299

Re: How do you do a "cool water change" to stimulate corys and plecos when you've got this?!?

A small touch, which may contribute to the production of the simulated rainy season, is to lower the water levels to about 50% and use a powerhead to spray recirculated tank water so that it falls like rains or tributary inputs. This is also a good way to aerate the tank water; well oxygenated water...
by apistomaster
01 Aug 2016, 22:38
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Planiloricaria cryptodon problems
Replies: 20
Views: 6111

Re: Planiloricaria cryptodon problems

I may be full of beans, but I suspect that success with this species is highly dependent upon the vagaries of the conditions they are in kept in subsequent to initial capture through their way through the extended distribution system. I've long been amazed that the survival rates of wild caught fish...
by apistomaster
30 Jul 2016, 13:53
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Planiloricaria cryptodon problems
Replies: 20
Views: 6111

Re: Planiloricaria cryptodon problems

I don't see any reasons for using any Ich/Velvet meds especially a copper based preparation. It sounds like this specimen has been stressed too much by the other competition and successive treatment trials. I'd would put it in solitary. Be sure to give it some fine sand and refuges. Use high water q...
by apistomaster
30 Jul 2016, 13:39
Forum: Tank Talk
Topic: How do you do a "cool water change" to stimulate corys and plecos when you've got this?!?
Replies: 22
Views: 7299

Re: How do you do a "cool water change" to stimulate corys and plecos when you've got this?!?

The benefits of simulating seasonal water cooling are likely overestimated by hobbyist breeders. The most influential factors with regard to water are usually the water change volume, frequency and chemistry.
Feeding of live foods is extremely helpful when it comes to obtaining breeding success.
by apistomaster
16 Jul 2016, 16:59
Forum: South American Catfishes (Callichthyidae - Corys et al)
Topic: Eco-Complete substrate and cory catfish
Replies: 7
Views: 6701

Re: Eco-Complete substrate and cory catfish

It's fine for Corydoras. The material is not sharp edged and is, as you noted, less dense than most aquarium substrate materials. If it has any effects on water chemistry I never noticed it nor did my fishes' breeding ever seem inhibited by it. It is very expensive. It's worth it so don't mix in oth...
by apistomaster
24 Jun 2016, 04:05
Forum: South American Catfishes (Callichthyidae - Corys et al)
Topic: Corydoras hastatus fry
Replies: 12
Views: 10119

Re: Corydoras hastatus fry

Hi Dave,
Thanks. That hadn't occurred to me.
by apistomaster
21 Jun 2016, 18:31
Forum: South American Catfishes (Callichthyidae - Corys et al)
Topic: Corydoras hastatus fry
Replies: 12
Views: 10119

Re: Corydoras hastatus fry

In the prior posts there are somethings called "venus factor" and "red smoothies to detox". Those are inserts not originally mine. Please correct. I have said many times that I hatched brine shrimp then harvest them all. That is more than I would need for a single feeding so I st...
by apistomaster
08 Jan 2016, 20:55
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: My L134 Breeding efforts
Replies: 71
Views: 28367

Re: My L134 Breeding efforts

I always maintained breeding colonies with only one species per group. Who knows if pheromones are used by these fishes for some sort of signals or stimuli. It doesn't seem too farfetched although I never have depended upon this hypothetical. Liberal, frequent water changes plus several feedings of ...
by apistomaster
12 Jun 2015, 22:36
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Long fin ancistrus pleco: Homozygous lethal?
Replies: 1
Views: 1185

Re: Long fin ancistrus pleco: Homozygous lethal?

I think there is something to your hypothesis. My experience with breeding LF Albino BN produced similar results.
by apistomaster
07 Jun 2015, 15:21
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Raising TDS Using Calcium Carbonate?
Replies: 77
Views: 22573

Re: Raising TDS Using Calcium Carbonate?

TwoTankAmin,
Good explanation of the variables which are probably the most important factors affecting Hypancistrus spawning frequencies in captivity.
by apistomaster
04 Jun 2015, 18:55
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Raising TDS Using Calcium Carbonate?
Replies: 77
Views: 22573

Re: Raising TDS Using Calcium Carbonate?

This is a great thread and I'm glad you guys all talked about this subject of TDS and experimenting with it. I had one question and forgive me if it was said already, I just skimmed through this thread didn't get the time to read all of it, but what is the TDS like in the Amazon for dry season and ...
by apistomaster
27 Apr 2015, 21:46
Forum: South American Catfishes (Callichthyidae - Corys et al)
Topic: Salt vs Cory
Replies: 24
Views: 12653

Re: Salt vs Cory

I've never observed any obvious problems among a variety of Corydoras species when they have happened to be in circumstances where salt in the water may help with healing raw skin or fin tissue injuries or disease. I haven't had any reason to treat any C.panda in salty water. I have only used salt a...
by apistomaster
27 Apr 2015, 21:31
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: L134
Replies: 3
Views: 1688

Re: L134

Much of the variation in the intensity of their normal yellow color is due to their distress colors because they have been moved into photo tanks for better control over the fish by the photographer. Photoshop works well to artificially restore their usual looks. I agree that their patterns may vary...
by apistomaster
23 Apr 2015, 21:30
Forum: South American Catfishes (Callichthyidae - Corys et al)
Topic: C. Aeneus Problem
Replies: 3
Views: 2043

Re: C. Aeneus Problem

"Stress Coat" does nothing to diminish stress in fish. It is distress we do not want and it doesn't work on that either.
I recommend SeaChem's Prime as a de-chlorination product.
It sounds like you bought an already dying Corydoras.
by apistomaster
23 Apr 2015, 20:57
Forum: South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al)
Topic: Dither fish for L397 breeding tank?
Replies: 17
Views: 5304

Re: Dither fish for L397 breeding tank?

When I was breeding Peckoltia compta and small Hypancistrus species, I used to keep Cherry Shrimp with them. Never any other fish. I'd thin out the shrimp and feed them to my wild Scalare and Blue Discus as a side benefit. Congrats on the spawning of your L397's. They appear to be a pretty pleco. I ...
by apistomaster
23 Apr 2015, 00:39
Forum: All Resolved Issues
Topic: Very slow intra-site navigation
Replies: 8
Views: 3072

Re: Very slow intra-site navigation

I wish my knowledge was deeper on this subject. My thanks for you fellows for looking into this and trying to help. My simplest solution is to enjoy planetcatfish by using Firefox. My ISP is Cable One, a ViaCom subsidiary. They have forced upon it's subscribers a strange hybrid of their infrastructu...
by apistomaster
22 Apr 2015, 21:43
Forum: All Resolved Issues
Topic: Very slow intra-site navigation
Replies: 8
Views: 3072

Re: Very slow intra-site navigation

I seem to get about the same results as your's although I'm not certain I am interpreting the tests correctly. I could not get the link/URL you used so I used the planetcatfish homepage for the tests. Google Chrome is my default browser using Adblock Plus and LastPass extensions. Here is the link to...
by apistomaster
21 Apr 2015, 20:53
Forum: South American Catfishes (Callichthyidae - Corys et al)
Topic: Corys in an outdoor pond
Replies: 12
Views: 6340

Re: Corys in an outdoor pond

I put about 150, month old, Corydoras paleatus in an outdoor pond late one spring. I harvested them in early September. I used a wading pool about 6 ft in diameter and 12 inches deep. The fry did not grow as fast as they did indoors at 80*F. It was just for fun and the fry were expendable, had it co...
by apistomaster
21 Apr 2015, 01:35
Forum: All Resolved Issues
Topic: Very slow intra-site navigation
Replies: 8
Views: 3072

Re: Very slow intra-site navigation

Sometimes I can get to another page quicker by right clicking and selecting " open in new tab".
I forgot to mention that I use Google Chrome web browser although Firefox has not proven to work any better.
It made me feel a bit better after seeing bekateen's post.
by apistomaster
21 Apr 2015, 01:00
Forum: All Resolved Issues
Topic: Very slow intra-site navigation
Replies: 8
Views: 3072

Very slow intra-site navigation

Hi, I have been meaning to report a problem with extremely slow speeds I encounter navigating within the site. Speed hasn't been a problem in years past but for more than 8 months it has. It takes 30 to 60 seconds for me to click on a topic or load a post. I'm using a Dell Studio 1749 laptop with an...

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