I guess I forgot to ask. Is this a female?

8.5" Royal. This is the best pic I've been able to get of the underside.

Perhaps I'm looking at this backwards. Perhaps the reason the aquatic plants are so tall and big-leafed is to reach the surface ( and thus the light)

On the subject of the oak leaves. How do you prepare them for use. I assume they are dead leaves that have been dried?

I went back and read and admit you are correct. None of the low-light plants I have info on even come from Brazil. I would like to point out though, the low-light conditions of most blackwater systems is not from the "colored water" but due mostly to shade from the canopy and the large leafed ...

Check through this and see what is available for you.

What does all this mean?

True blackwater habitats are devoid of submerged vegetation. This is because there is almost no light that would make it through the water available for photosynthesis.

I have to disagree. While there are some ...

The presence of bristles doesn't guarantee male. Females can have bristles as well males can show up with little or none. Use other methods to determine, such as the shape/size of the sex organ. There is a very good article on P.C. somewhere. Type breeding plecos in the search box.

My favorite small sized wood eater is Panaque albomaculatus. Mine is jet black with verrry orange spots and only about 3.5" - 4". Of course I very much like my 2 P. maccus as well!!

I've had a male for maybe 1 1/2 years. He is not a big algae eater but he does seem to get along well with other plecs as long as they aren't green too! I started with 3 and the dominant one wouldn't tolerate the other 2 at all after they started to get some size. He's about 5-5.5" now. Definitely a ...

A pair of 1/2 grown Koi Angels. Nothing else.

I just revived an old post on this subject with an update. You might find something helpful there. I used swimming pool filter sand from Home Depot. They sold me busted open bags for a greatly reduced price (it's cheap to start with). If you rinse it until it will all settle within a couple of ...

Hello all! Loooong time no posts. I just wanted to drop in and update what I have experienced with the sand in my 110. I have been fortunate in that there has been no gas build-up under the sand. I believe the M T snails have been helpful with this. They burrow into the sand during the day and come ...

I have a Panaque albomaculatus and the following pictured plec in the same tank.

http://fishgeeks.com/modules/gallery/albums/Mike-s-plecs-n-more/PICT0466.sized.jpg

One of them has demolished a beautiful Red Melon sword. I know the P. albomaculatus is a wood eater and the pictured one has never ...

I've had my L-177 for about 2 years. He(she?) was approx. 2" - 2.5" TL at time of purchase. He(she?) is probably 4.5" now. The growth rate appears to have slowed down drastically at this point and I would expect max size will probably be around 7". A 20g would be okay for a year maybe but I would ...

Waayyy cool man! What I heard sounded most like the one labeled "Dianema". Thanks for the cool link.

Verrry interesting. Thanks much for the reply. I think I'll see if I can record it next time. Should go well with the clicking of my Clown L*****s.

Hello all, long time no posts. How's it goin'? This morning I was sitting at my computer and I started hearing a strange noise. I looked over at the 110 and my Royal was in the process of evicting the TSN from his favorite spot. One of them was making a noise I won't even try to describe. I've had ...

Out of 7 tanks 3 now have sand. Not only does the fish poo stay on top of the sand, but with a little current it all moves to one corner of the tank. I will eventually change the rest to sand except the 55g fast water tank.

At 6" his growth rate has slowed dramatically. He will probably be okay in a 55 for several more years. I've had one in a 55 for 1.5 years now. He's gone from 5" to 6" in that time. They really like current. I got a small sub. pump (Rio 90) and placed near his fav hiding spot.

Using the TSN as an example, it's kinda hard to selectively breed for size when it takes 10-12 years to reach full grown. It would take a lifetime just to do a few generations and you probably would not have reduced them in size by much.

Dazza- I have 4 plecs in the tank with my discus. L#'s 191(6"),177(4.5"),14(5"), and a P. maccus(3"). Over a year and never any problem.

S. Allen-Working on more discus now.

I have several oto's (to many hiding places, not sure how many) in with an adult discus (6"), and if it wasn't for plants and caves he probably would have them all eaten by now (if thats possible). He goes after one every chance he gets.

Coryman wrote:flyinmike,

The next time you se them they will have multiplied 1,000 fold.

Ian

Yes, I will have to drop a couple of clown loaches in there when they start to get numerous. I drop them in my 55 where there are two loaches and they love them.

On a different forum I read that malaysian trumpet snails will burrow through the sand and help reduce chances of gas buildup. I had some going in a different tank as loach "treats" so I dropped some in my 110 and they instantly started burrowing into the sand. I've dropped about 20 in there now and ...

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy new year. Best to all, Mike

the various fish farms I have seen from Colombian Trout farms to Costa Rican Tilapia farms and realized that these fish are also raised in horrible environments (esp. the Tilapia). They are treated with all kinds of chemicals (worse than what you could ever buy in the US or Europe) and sold for ...

Actually to be more specific I should ask is he a P. tigrinum or a P. fasciatum? I'm thinking tigrinum but then I haven't found pics of a juvenile fasciatum yet.

Recently adopted/had given to me what I believe to be a Tiger shovelnose. Just under 4"TL. This is the best pic I've gotten so far (the only time he's still is when he's under or behind something).
http://fishgeeks.com/modules/gallery/albums/Mike-s-plecs-n-more/PICT0480.sized.jpg
Mike 8)

BTW ...

While we're on the subject of photography, I often struggle with the flash making the entire picture to bright; especially if taking pictures over sand. Is the only solution an overhead flash?

Jools

Overhead flash. I assume you're talking about the flash pointing down from above the tank? Hmmmmm ...

I would point out that they are likely to come out of the depths at night at least? Also, as Shane will tell you, there's quite a current down the bottom...


Come to think of it I have several friends who have heated swimming pools much larger than 2400g and they are able to keep temps at what ...

That said, can you keep an outdoor pond in Texas from falling below the low 70s?
-Shane

It was nearly 70*F here on Xmas day. It does get cold here occasionally (30* or so) and only rarely gets really cold (20's or lower). I think at 3' the temp at the bottom could be maintained at least.

I read ...