Tank set up for Scleromystax barbatus

[Old Blue Eyes]

Hi everybody

I am a new member.

I intend in the next few days to adapt an existing small tropical tank for a trio of Scleromystax barbatus. Currently the tank is set up with local water which has neutral ph but is quite hard. The substrate is a thin layer of soft sand with bogwood for decoration. There are also several pots of Anubias sp plants. I intend to add rainwater to soften the water and maintain a temperature of around 72 degrees F. Filtration is by means of a small internal filter and there is an airstone for additional aeration. Maybe I should drop the temperature a little as I am aware that barbatus prefer a lower temperature. Does anyone have other recommendations. I do have a reasonable level of experience and some years ago kept these fish when known as Corydoras barbatus. I lost them and suspect that this was due to summer tank temperature (in the very high seventies) but there may have been other contributory factors. Any useful advice would be much appreciated. How about suitable tank mates?

Old Blue Eyes

[MatsP]

Hi and welcome to Planet Catfish,

As there are quite a large number of fish that would be suitable (and probably a rather large number of unsuitable candidates), it is a good idea if you give some suggestions as to what you would like as tank-mates.

There was some discussion as to the correct temperature a while back. The conclusion was roughly speaking "they tolerate a wider range than most people think". See: http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... 17&t=30047

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Mats

[RickE]

I'm just doing the same sort of thing except I'm treating them to a new tank. I've just introduced a group of 8 Danio kyathit and I'm quite impressed so far. They are very pretty active fish and seem to be enjoying the set-up. Apart from the barbatus, I'm just going to add a few Oto's.

Old Blue Eyes - do you know somewhere that has barbatus in stock? I've been keeping an eye out but haven't seen any for a while.

[Richard B]

Welcome to PC

if it is of any interest http://www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/p ... 126425.php

[RickE]

Thanks Richard. I was hoping to avoid travelling that far but if needs must... I've got a couple of weeks before I'm properly ready anyway.

[MatsP]

I think CoryWally (aka Mark Walters) has some. Try using the PM feature.

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Mats

[Richard B]

I was hoping to avoid travelling that far but if needs must..

There are plenty of places that do get them - this was just a current example (along with some other nice sp) & might be good value - might also arrange courier delivery?

Pier have them quite often & also other scleromystax species.

Mark Walters has some amazing fish & is a real nice guy - if he hasn't got them he might know someone who has

- i saw some the other day but cannot remember if it was aquatic design or wholesale tropicals in London or Sweet knowle or MA Stratford in Stratford-upon-Avon.

[CoryWally]

Hi,
In addition to the trio of adults I've promised to a member, I'll be bringing a few younger (6 month old+)barbatus to the CSG auction on Sunday. There are often other sellers of barbatus, plus many other corydoradinae on offer. Not to be missed. Pier Aquatics also have wild barbatus in stock (best check first, however)

As for the care of barbatus, at the end of the day they are pretty hardy but don't enjoy long periods of warm water. They like moderate flow in the tank and the usual pristine water quality we should all strive to provide for our fish.


Cheers,
Mark.

[RickE]

Thanks to all three of you for your help with sourcing some. I'm still a couple of weeks off being ready so will have to see what is around nearer the time.

However, I feel a bit guilty as I've kind of hijacked OBE's thread , so has anyone else got any replies to the original question?

[Old Blue Eyes]

Hi

No worries about hi-jacking the thread as I am interested to hear any comments and useful advice about this species. We don't seem to see them in this area of the south so much and this I am sure is due to the preference for softer water conditions - our local water is quite hard and this is why I plan to use a mix of local and rain water. This has certainly worked well for me in the past with certain plant species some of which are totally intolerant of hard water. There certainly seems to be a variety of opinion concerning the suitable water temperature range but it does seem clear that these fish will not be happy to be subjected to long periods of higher temperatures. As my tank temperatures nowadays rarely rise much above 72 in old money I figure this will not pose a problem and I will concentrate more on softening the water and maintaining good quality. As Mark seems to be getting excellent results and the species is breeding well for him I am inclined to follow his suggestions.

Thanks
Old Blue Eyes