Introduction + My 29 gallon native Virginia tank

[FastSnake17]

Hello all, my name is Billy and I am very new to fish keeping. I currently reside in Durham, NC, grew up in Virginia and graduated from the University of Florida, majoring in wildlife ecology, not too long ago. I have had my first tank up and running for about 7 months now. I have plenty of questions and lots to learn but figured my first post should include a quick intro and a few pictures of my 29 gallon native tank. All fish, wood and plants (aside from the Anubias) were collected in southeastern Virginia. I wanted to create an aquarium modeled after the swamps and coastal wetlands that I've always enjoyed exploring.

pennywort and cricket frog

Currently, the tank houses 2 blue spotted sunfish (Enneacanthus gloriosus), 2 mosquito fish (Gambusia holbrooki), an eastern mudminnow (Umbra pygmaea), a cricket frog (Acris gryllus) and a narrowmouth toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis). I have experimented with a number of plants and so far have had success maintaining a floating mat of what I believe is hornwort (Ceratophyllum sp.). I am currently giving some pennywort (Hydrocotyle umbellata) I collected and a store-bought Anubias a try. I've found that anything I submerge tends not to last, presumably because it isn't receiving adequate light? I would eventually like invest in better lighting and a nutrient-rich substrate to see if I can maintain a larger variety of plants. I've enjoyed this tank so much that I am considering upgrading to a larger set up with some bigger native species this spring.

and here is a video if anyone is interested
http://youtu.be/caYDmrdHUso

I am doing my best to learn all that I can so all advice and suggestions are welcome! I've seen quite a few incredible native tanks on here which have definitely got me thinking I'd like to do a larger sunfish display in the near future.

 

[warmouth]

Hello all, my name is Billy and I am very new to fish keeping. I currently reside in Durham, NC, grew up in Virginia and graduated from the University of Florida, majoring in wildlife ecology, not too long ago. I have had my first tank up and running for about 7 months now. I have plenty of questions and lots to learn but figured my first post should include a quick intro and a few pictures of my 29 gallon native tank. All fish, wood and plants (aside from the Anubias) were collected in southeastern Virginia. I wanted to create an aquarium modeled after the swamps and coastal wetlands that I've always enjoyed exploring.

pennywort and cricket frog

Currently, the tank houses 2 blue spotted sunfish (Enneacanthus gloriosus), 2 mosquito fish (Gambusia holbrooki), an eastern mudminnow (Umbra pygmaea), a cricket frog (Acris gryllus) and a narrowmouth toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis). I have experimented with a number of plants and so far have had success maintaining a floating mat of what I believe is hornwort (Ceratophyllum sp.). I am currently giving some pennywort (Hydrocotyle umbellata) I collected and a store-bought Anubias a try. I've found that anything I submerge tends not to last, presumably because it isn't receiving adequate light? I would eventually like invest in better lighting and a nutrient-rich substrate to see if I can maintain a larger variety of plants. I've enjoyed this tank so much that I am considering upgrading to a larger set up with some bigger native species this spring.

and here is a video if anyone is interested
http://youtu.be/caYDmrdHUso

I am doing my best to learn all that I can so all advice and suggestions are welcome! I've seen quite a few incredible native tanks on here which have definitely got me thinking I'd like to do a larger sunfish display in the near future.

Nice looking tank. Try growing some elodea....and yes light could be a factor. Watch for aggression in your tank, some frogs can be very aggressive to fish, and Mudminnows are a very aggressive to other fish also.

 

[Dionysus]

Nice looking tank, but why u posting this on MFK? U would hav alot more respect on aquaria central. Definitly like your stock list, props! Either way, very nice tank!

Sent from my LG-VM696 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[FastSnake17]

Thank you both for your feedback!

Warmouth: I appreciate your concerns. Cricket frogs are small Hylids that only get about 1.5 inches in total length. They are more likely to end up fish food than anything. I certainly don't plan on keeping Ranids or other large frogs in there. I'd say the mudminnow has been the most passive fish in the tank. From people that I've talked to who have kept them, they apparently are very intolerant of conspecifics but tend to leave any fish they can't eat alone. The sunfish mostly just squabble with one another from time to time but tend not to bother anything aside from other, similar looking young sunfish of different species that I've kept briefly. The larger mosquito fish is surprisingly the most aggressive fish in the tank, often chasing the bigger fish and nipping at fins

Dionysus: Thanks for the compliments! I realize my fish aren't exactly monsters, the main reason I signed up here is that I noticed there are many knowledgeable sunfish enthusiasts I felt I could learn from. I eventually would like to do a larger tank housing a number of bigger and, from what I understand, potentially more aggressive Centrarchid species. It seemed like a good place to start as far as learning from seasoned native keepers goes. I will certainly be looking around for other realiable sources of info and will sign up on aquaria central as well.

All the best

 

[warmouth]

Thank you both for your feedback!

Warmouth: I appreciate your concerns. Cricket frogs are small Hylids that only get about 1.5 inches in total length. They are more likely to end up fish food than anything. I certainly don't plan on keeping Ranids or other large frogs in there. I'd say the mudminnow has been the most passive fish in the tank. From people that I've talked to who have kept them, they apparently are very intolerant of conspecifics but tend to leave any fish they can't eat alone. The sunfish mostly just squabble with one another from time to time but tend not to bother anything aside from other, similar looking young sunfish of different species that I've kept briefly. The larger mosquito fish is surprisingly the most aggressive fish in the tank, often chasing the bigger fish and nipping at fins

Dionysus: Thanks for the compliments! I realize my fish aren't exactly monsters, the main reason I signed up here is that I noticed there are many knowledgeable sunfish enthusiasts I felt I could learn from. I eventually would like to do a larger tank housing a number of bigger and, from what I understand, potentially more aggressive Centrarchid species. It seemed like a good place to start as far as learning from seasoned native keepers goes. I will certainly be looking around for other realiable sources of info and will sign up on aquaria central as well.

All the best

I must admit I had no idea what "cricket frogs" were, thanks for letting me know I have only had experience with african clawed frogs and leapord frogs;....Mosquitofish are very aggressive and have caused the demise of some fish in the southwest. I did not know that mudminnows were passive to non-conspecifics, the friend who had them was trying to breed them for bait, and they would squabble for food when I would feed them. There are some knowledgeable native keepers on this forum, I currently am keeping some O-spots and have kept Green sunnies in the past, but if you want to talk to an expert I would contact screen name "centrarchid" at the NANFA forum.

 

[Owain4]

Not really sure why Dionysus would say something like that it was very rude of him, The op posted under the correct forum and will be interesting to other native fish enthusiasts. It doesn't matter what size tank you have or what type of fish there is a place for everyone on this site. There is no less respect on this site for smaller tanks.

Anyway welcome to the site FastSnake17, i like your tank, very pretty fish.that mudminnow is awesome looking, i'd love to get my hands on one but they are not native here. I also keep native fish and only native fish. I currently have a 72bowfront with sunfish. looking forward to seeing more posts. the first time i saw the cricket frog i thought it was a turtle shell haha

 

[Ambervikings91]

I love the tank

 

[Umbra]

Awesome tank! How big is the mudminnow currently? While I've never kept easterns my fully grown central mudminnows could easily swallow an adult female mosquitofish. I know easterns don't get as big and apparently aren't as predatory but I'd keep an eye on it nonetheless.

 

[Lupin]

Nice looking tank, but why u posting this on MFK? U would hav alot more respect on aquaria central. Definitly like your stock list, props! Either way, very nice tank!

Sent from my LG-VM696 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

Dionysus, MFK is not selective of what must be posted and what must not be posted. I beg to differ about your approach on this when this is unnecessary. Let's just respect where the OP wishes to post as long as the thread was correctly posted in an appropriate section.

Good day.

Welcome to MFK by the way, Fastsnake! Please do not be deterred from sharing your hobby with us in any way. If you have concerns, let me know or any of the other staff members. Thanks!

 

[Ambervikings91]

Nice looking tank, but why u posting this on MFK? U would hav alot more respect on aquaria central. Definitly like your stock list, props! Either way, very nice tank!

Sent from my LG-VM696 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

No need to post this message, it is a good tank and I'm glad it was shared with us