SA Biotope Help pt 2

BoBzz · Post by **BoBzz** » 13 Feb 2004, 06:05

I have had a lot of time to research and plan since I originally posted this question last summer.
I need you expertise to help keep it as closely Biotopic as possible, Although its most likely a lost cause.

75G
4-5x Hypselecara Temporalis*Have*
4-5x Gymnogeophagus Rhabdotus*Have*
8-10x (Med) Tetra
5-6x Doradids
5-6x (Med) Active Cat
3-6x Ancistrus sp.
?x Oddball Fish(True Leaf fish/ Ghost Knife)

I will be Upgradeing to a 100G+ This summer.

Im looking for Biotopic species of the above fish, For the most part I'm working around the H. Temporalis and the G. Rhabdotus.
The Biotope doesnt have to be exact but I want to keep it close (all fish from similar habitats in SA)
The plecos and Doradids are mostly for cleanup as they probably wont be seen often anyway.

By Medium Tetras I Mean over 2" but under 5" I would prefer something with a little color.
Medium Cats 4-7", Something I'm going to see on a regular basis Pictus come to mind but a little less common.

Thanks,
Sam

BoBzz · Post by **BoBzz** » 14 Feb 2004, 08:14

Would a Black Ghost Knife(Apteronotus albifrons) be a good Biotope Oddball?

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 14 Feb 2004, 13:17

Your fishlist is something for a 150-200G!

unlike Malawi- or Tanganyikan cichlids; South American cichlids should not be kept in huge numbers; best keep one or two pairs and other fish in one tank.

a 75G is FAR too small to hold your fish!

ghostfishes (Apteronotus albifrons) can reach 1 1/2 foot in length; with good care, 1 foot specimen are easily obtained.
NOT a fish for a 75G.

BoBzz · Post by **BoBzz** » 14 Feb 2004, 17:38

Yes I realize thats a lot of fish.
I wasnt planning on keeping them all in a 75G.
I would never attempt to pack that many fish in a 75G, I was getting a feel for the list for when I upgrade to a 150-175G this summer.

Right now the only fish in the tank are a few of the chocolates and a single G. Rhabdotus, but unfortunately all the chocolates are turning out to be male.

I'm also well aware of the potential size of Ghost knives, and that would be fine in a 150G+ tank right?

So now that the tank space issue has been addressed, Can someone lend a hand on the biotope?

Thanks,
Sam

BoBzz · Post by **BoBzz** » 15 Feb 2004, 07:36

How active are Hoplo cats?

I cant decide between Hoplos and four lines right now?!?!
Any suggestions/comments?

Post by **Silurus** » 15 Feb 2004, 12:05

How active are Hoplo cats?

More active than four-lined pims during the day, I can tell you.

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 15 Feb 2004, 12:52

Hoplo's are fine cats; they're utterly peaceful and very easy to keep.

Any species will do, and there are very few drawbacks:
-Megalechis personata (usually in store as "Hoplosternum thoracatum") often is in bad shape, due to being very, very inbred

-big, adult Hoplo's dig, and dig and dig, so a neat planted tank can be demolished after feeding bloodworms or tubifex (wich they like very much!). Especially big Hoplosternum littorale and big Megalechis thoracata (the one called "Hoplosternum magdalenae" in the trade, but that's another rare species) can disrupt a tank in no time at all.....

-Hoplo's are utterly peaceful! you really don't want to know the many dying Hoplo's I've seen literally ripped apart in a tank full of Central Americans or Malawi-scum, because people seem to think that "big catfishes" should be kept with cichlids of any biotope.....

BoBzz · Post by **BoBzz** » 15 Feb 2004, 16:42

Thanks guys,
Is there anywhere online or a way to find uncorrupted specimens of either of the Megalechis species?
How can you tell if they are inbred or not?

Whats a good number for a 150G?

Again, thanks for the responses!

BoBzz · Post by **BoBzz** » 15 Feb 2004, 19:44

What species is this?

Its listed as Hoplosternum Littorale , But as we all know its rarely correct.

Post by **Silurus** » 15 Feb 2004, 19:54

It looks indeed like H. littorale to me.

Beersnob · Post by **Beersnob** » 17 Feb 2004, 03:41

BoBzz wrote:What species is this?

Its listed as Hoplosternum Littorale , But as we all know its rarely correct.

My guess is that it is Dianema Longibarbis (The Porthole Catfish). I really like them. I have one who is now 3" long and I have been looking for awhile for more in our area (I'm from Royal Oak, MI) for another one. Poor guy is forced to hang out with Cories! He will jump out of the water from time to time. I am assuming that is when he's happy

For some reason the related catfish (Flag-Tailed Porthole Catfish) Dianema ........, which is more visually striking has not impressed me yet!

Good Luck,

I'll be off this weekend to the LFS in New Baltimore, MI

Scott

Post by **Silurus** » 17 Feb 2004, 08:54

My guess is that it is Dianema Longibarbis (The Porthole Catfish).

It's not D. longibarbis. Dianema longibabris has a more slender body and is very prominently spotted.

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 17 Feb 2004, 10:40

hmmmmm
It kinda looks like a littorale, and also like one of ours; the elusive Hoplosternum punctatum ("Diasternum" punctatum).
BUT that big eye keeps bothering me....

Sure it's not a Dianema, Siluris? ours'have much smaller eyes......
Bobzz; how big is that fish? is it a baby cat?

Post by **Silurus** » 17 Feb 2004, 12:04

Eye size is not necessarily an accurate way to identify fish, given that juvenile fish have relatively huge eyes that become smaller as they grow.
It's not any of the other species of Hoplosternum because I can see a distinctive pattern of the bones at the back of the head (let's just leave it at that without getting too technical).