unusual item consumed by syno

[Richard B]

Whilst on my way to work today, my girlfriend phoned to say that we had experienced an electrical problem & filters etc were not running on my tanks.

Whilst i was at work she sorted the electrical problem but filters did not come on (sticking impellers that i sorted when i got in: no problems with the fish).

As the water & filters had been deprived of oxygen for pretty much twelve hours i decided as a precautionary measure to add one capsule of BLUSTART manufactured by Ferplast (this is a bacterial activator [which supposedly immediately matures water] that i have used very successfully when setting up new aquaria). The info on the product says there are 100,000 bacteria per gram which can double every 30 minutes in typical aquaria. I have mostly, but not always, in the past added the capsule to the filter compartments but in one of the smaller tanks which i have set up for breeding synodontis sp (2) i just chucked it in (they float). Within 3 seconds the male syno had left his cave & grabbed it from the surface & was trashing around chewing the capsule. Immediately the 2 females joined in as best they could although the larger male is a much more dominant individual. Eventually the capsule was consumed by the fish - the "plastic" capsule normally dissolves in water.

I thought this a most unusual occurrance but presume there will be no ill effects. Has anyone any thoughts on this?

[andywoolloo]

wow! o.k. I would be freaking out!

But I searched it online and it doesn't seem dangerous at all. I mean you put it in your water and stuff. I guess he just got a massive dose of good bacteria?

I hope he is ok. Wow, bizarre.

[Richard B]

They're all fine this morning & greedily munched down some frozen brineshrimp - a more recognised meal!

[andywoolloo]

I am so glad!

you have me examining my tank for potential syno swallowings.

[Chrysichthys]

Might upset the intestinal flora a bit, and diarrhea can wreak havoc on your filtration.