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just been reading some of the posts about this. what's the opinion on removing the bark ???? i have a feeling this may ruin the look. how long will the bark take to decompose, and will this significantly increase the nitrogenous load? it obviously depends on how much you have in a tank. in my case, a lot. I've been busy collecting some great looking roots from trees blown down in the recent winds.
if i do have to take the bark off, what's the best way??

cheers

Got any Panaque? These will do it for you, and love you for it. Same goes for Ancistrus, although these are a bit slower. I never remove other than what is already loose, and I've been known to use the 'curls' of barks to provide spawning sites for Apistos.

thanks. i'll do that. it seems to make more sense. the tank's not set up yet, but i should get a panaque really. they are lovely. you don't know anywhere i can get spotted climbing perch (Ctenopoma acutirostre) do you?? been after some of these for ages.

racoll wrote:thanks. i'll do that. it seems to make more sense. the tank's not set up yet, but i should get a panaque really. they are lovely. you don't know anywhere i can get spotted climbing perch (Ctenopoma acutirostre) do you?? been after some of these for ages.

Last I saw were at BAS here in Bolton, although I wouldn't be surprised to find that Trimar had them on their lists. Whereabouts in UK are you?

down south near oxford. bolton's a bit of a trek !! i've enquired at the goldfish bowl and maidenhead aquatics, but they haven't had any for ages. what time of the year can i expect to see them in the shops ??

racoll wrote:what time of the year can i expect to see them in the shops ??

There have been shipments from the appropriate area for the past 2-3 months, including very recently. I have a friend going out collecting next month, and he wouldn't go unless there would be plenty of collecting opportunity (unfortunately he is not in the UK and so would not be a possible source for these fish).

<Stop Press> I've just asked BAS for you and they have got some in right now! They will ship overnight very cheaply, which makes getting the fish much easier for you.
Phone 01204 534343 and ask for Andy Taylor.

thanks. you've gone way beyond the call of duty. only problem is i've been a bit premature with my request, as the tank in question has no water in it, and won't do until april (see the "where do i put my big tank post") i can maybe rearrange some of the occupants in my present tanks to fit them in though. cheers

Racoll -

I have a vague recolection of some spotted climbing perch in MaidenHead Aquatics in Hawley near Dartford...

It is only vague though, hope its a help!

just found a pair in a manky garden centre in milton keynes of all places !!!! they'd been torn to shreds by the other gouramies, starved and were nearly dead! they've only been in the tank 24 hours and they've coloured up, started feeding well and are the most fantastic fish i've ever owned. their eyes move like a chameleon, and they sneak round the tank like dead leaves in all kinds of weird positions! so entertaining to watch. they would be a great addition to any slow moving catfish tank!