Thailand Fastwater Biotype

[Martin S, posts: 1746]

Following a recent purchase of some Glyptothorax siamensis (see HERE), I have set up a 5' tank to house them, wanting to set up a biotype tank. The tank currently has a bed of pebbles and a large rock bank at one end (pictures to follow), and filtered by an Eheim 2217. I'll be adding a Koralia Evolution 4000 to give me lots of flow without the heat that you get from a powerhead, and will run the tank (at least during the winter) around 70F.

The intended occupants are the 3 Glyptothorax (increasing to 5 at a later date), 4 Barilius canarensis, 3 Barilius dogarsinghi and 2 Barilius hukaungensis (ID unconfirmed). I have seen some very pretty Homaloptera species (possibly Homaloptera confuzona) at a LFS, and wondered how these would fit?

Any other suggestions?

Martin

[MatsP]

I take it you are aware that the G. siamensis is from Thailand, not India...

--
Mats

[Silurus]

I take it you are aware that the G. siamensis is from Thailand, not India

In which case the H. confuzona would be ideal for a biotope setup.

[sidguppy, posts: 3827]

probably hard to get, but i think if you wanted an algae eater in there, you could settle for Garra


some are well suited for a non heated tank.

[Martin S, posts: 1746]

I take it you are aware that the G. siamensis is from Thailand, not India...

Yes, I know, not sure why I put Indian! D'oh!

In which case the H. confuzona would be ideal for a biotope setup.

Great news, I hoped as much. Guess that means they'll be quite happy in the lower temperatures?

probably hard to get, but i think if you wanted an algae eater in there, you could settle for Garra
some are well suited for a non heated tank.

Alex - have heard that the typical banded Garra we see over here is not suited to the cooler water and it also is not biotype either. What other species of Garra would you find in with Glyptothorax?

I do really like (havinh kept a species many years ago) the Homaloptera, so may well go with those.

Thanks
Martin

[MatsP]

According to fishbase, Garra from Thailand:
Garra cambodgiensis
Garra fasciacauda
Garra fisheri (P)
Garra fuliginosa (P)
Garra nasuta
Garra salweenica
are found in Thailand.

And Barillius spp:
Barilius bernatziki
Barilius huahinensis
Barilius infrafasciatus
Barilius ornatus
Barilius ponticulus

Here's a link to Wiki article on the type location for Glyptothorax siamensis:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakhon_Si_Thammarat_Range

Given it's location, I'd expect species that are "Peninsular Thailand" are most suitable, which I've marked with a [P] above.
Unfortunately, none of the Barilius list that they are available in Pennsular Thailand...

--
Mats

[Martin S, posts: 1746]

Thanks Mats.
I did guess that I'd find it difficult (read near-on impossible) to get exact biotype, but am happy as long as they are from the same type of waters, and fish from the same species are found there, so although not 100% correct, is anyone ever going to know different?!
Martin

[Suckermouth, posts: 1514]

What a coincidence, I was just in Thailand and we collected one or two fastwater habitats. I don't remember everything we collected, but... Besides Barilius and Homaloptera, we found loaches including Schistura sp., Nemacheilus pallidus, and Lepidocephalichthys hasselti (exact identifications pending). We also collected Danio albolineatus and, if I recall correctly, Rasbora daniconius. Catfishes were generally rare. The main predatory fish species we collected appeared to be Mastacembelus favus.

[Martin S, posts: 1746]

Thanks, that's really useful info. I look forward to the trip report .

[Martin S, posts: 1746]

As promised, some pictures of the tank being set up. Following help from MatsP to wire up 4 double gangs (two in each cupboard) and then get the tank onto the stand and in place, I began to add the pebbles and the first piece of rock:

More to follow once the powerhead goes in, and I add one or two more rocks. Any suggestions for additional furniture? I'd like some plants too, and Elodea has been suggested though not sure how it will fair in the strong currents.
Martin

[Silurus]

Using a more rounded piece of rock would be closer to biotope, I feel. Rounded rocks are also a good place for sucking loaches (if you get any) to perch on.

[Martin S, posts: 1746]

Thanks HH. I liked that piece as it has a flat side which I've left exposed, but do intend to add one or two largish rounded boulders to the tank as well. Would a branch work, pointing down from the above the surface? I know the current would generally drag them away but want some vertical shapes too. Would any plants survive in this environment?
Martin

[Silurus]

The only wood I have seen in habitats like that are remnants of large logs/trunks that have fallen in the water and were too heavy to be moved by the current. There are generally no aquatic macrophytes in the streams (except maybe in backwaters).

[racoll, posts: 4473]

With all those pebbles in the tank, I would be very worried about uneaten food scraps sinking between the cracks and fouling the water (you may want to add snails as a precaution).

If it were me, I would have gone for a 1cm layer of sand-grit/pea-gravel mix, with a scattering of the pebbles on top.

Regardless of the biotope, I would also add a structure of bogwood branches to the tank. This will give the fish a better sense of security, think.

[Martin S, posts: 1746]

The only wood I have seen in habitats like that are remnants of large logs/trunks that have fallen in the water and were too heavy to be moved by the current. There are generally no aquatic macrophytes in the streams (except maybe in backwaters).

OK, thanks. that's sort of what I expected to hear.

With all those pebbles in the tank, I would be very worried about uneaten food scraps sinking between the cracks and fouling the water (you may want to add snails as a precaution).

If it were me, I would have gone for a 1cm layer of sand-grit/pea-gravel mix, with a scattering of the pebbles on top.

I do see where you are coming from, but the flow will be very intense and I didn't want sand/grit to get washed into piles (like it currently does in my 2' tank). As there is no fish, I may well empty it down and rescape once the pump goes in (should be arriving today) once I know how strong the curent is going to be. I'll maybe go for, as you suggest, a gravel mix with some pebbles on top and 2 or 3 large rocks. I'll add the branches once that's done.

Regardless of the biotope, I would also add a structure of bogwood branches to the tank. This will give the fish a better sense of security, think.

Thanks, I would be happier having that too.
Martin

[N0body Of The Goat, posts: 150]

Martin, hope the Barilius made it back home OK with you and they are starting to adjust to their new home from home (as in Thailand in a fish tank).

Nice to meet you and Mats this afternoon, I was running on adrenaline as I often am after the earlier Saturday start at work!

Looking forward to seeing some photos and/or video clips in good time, fingers crossed on your catfish hunt.

[Martin S, posts: 1746]

Hi Steve
Yes, all made it home and are now in their new home and looking happy. I have now seen 2 of the 3 Glyptos, so am sure the other one is in there too somewhere! Thanks again, and I hope you get your tanks sorted, and no more losses.
I'll give them a few days to settle in and definitely sort out some photos and video.
Cheers
Martin

[Martin S, posts: 1746]

Now the fish have settled in, here's a quick video showing the new inhabitants that came courtesty of Nobody of the Goat at the weekend. I've got three more Glyptothorax coming Thursday

[racoll, posts: 4473]

Nice Opsarius. Which species were they again?

Too me the tank still appears very empty, even with the new cyprinids. How about attaching some artificial plants (silk/plastic) to above the surface, to simulate trailing terrestrial vegetation in the water? I think that would look quite good.

[Martin S, posts: 1746]

Hi Rupert
Apparently, they are all Barilius. The bright ones are canarensis, and the others are dogarsinghi and possibly hukaengensis.
And yes I know what you mean, I will think about your suggestion, thanks.
Martin