I want to consolidate my group of Metynnis into a single, NEW PLANTED TANK. I have shared before pictures of my 8 fish (3 species), in a 75gal planted tank. In that tank, 4 plant spp. were involved: Cryptocoryne cf. usteriana, C. wendtii ‘bronze’, “Hygrophila” sp. (don’t know for sure if this is correct, or the species), and regular Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus). In addition, frogbit (Limnobium) and/or water spangles (Salvinia) were added within floating corrals. They (fish and plants) thrived. The planted part of the equation (i.e., achieving plants to grow and the dollars not to eat them) has not been much of a problem (more on this below). I use root tabs (2-3 times per year), and Seachem Flourish once a week. The fish involved are Metynnis maculatus (2 males, 1 female), M. lippincotianus (2 males, 1 female), M. altidorsalis (1 male), and a female fish which I think may also be M. maculatus (but unsure).
About a year ago, I had to split three male fish to another 75g tank, due to an unbalanced sex ratio in my group, heavy on adult males, which led to males restlessly harassing fewer females). This move implied developing a second planted tank for the 3 fish, and this was again, not much of a problem. In the second tank, the same plants types were involved, rooted and floating. In addition, I attempted to grow Bacopa monnieri, with as yet an unclear level of success.
I recently acquired a 6 foot, 110g acrylic tank. After resealing it, making a stand, covers and setting it up, the tank is filled up.
I am ready to make it the new home of the 8 fish, and hopefully, in time, a couple more well-chosen individual fish, for a group of 10-12 Metynnis spp. silver dollars. The goal is to be PLANTED, and to go beyond what was achieved before. I will try the same plant species, but will add Anubias nana, Bacopa (again), and will try a couple more.
I face several challenges in planning/executing the new tank, and I wanted to document and share with you the progress or failure of the attempt. If it fails, at least you would have seen already evidence that it is possible, that I accomplished it before (twice over ~5 years), and let’s see what happens the third time. If it works, I couldn’t be happier, and hopefully the fish too –
1) I have to choose well the plant species to use
2) (ideally) the plants need to be established before the SD’s are introduced, and
3) I need to consider the reasons the SD’s have eaten some plants but not others.
A final consideration is that of trying to make the tank look somewhat habitat consistent, although this will be impossible; for example, Anubias, Crypts and Java Fern are all from the old world (Africa and Asia), whereas the fish are strictly South American. But I have to be realistic: Amazon swords will just not survive! So, I have to try some plants from South America, but some will not be SAmerican no matter what.
Regarding the reasons the SD’s have eaten some plants but not others), I have several hypotheses, and I believe they ALL have played a role in the 2 established planted tanks –
Hyp. One – Some plants are unpalatable to them, hence they don’t eat them or not much.
Hyp. Two – For whatever reasons, some of my individual fish don’t seem to eat the plants (at least not much), and other fish can ‘learn’ from them. I should be able to use ‘good role models’ to teach any new fish.
Hyp. Three – Some plant eating may be OK (on certain specific fast-growing plants), so long as it is not excessive and the plants can grow fast enough so as not to decline over time, thus maintaining themselves and looking good.
The new tank is newly setup (filled up and circulating water for 3 weeks now), and I started planting it yesterday (just a couple of cuttings for now).
I will continue planting during this and next week, and then wait. I want to make sure I don’t get algal blooms and other ‘new tank syndrome stuff’, and only when I feel the plants are ‘beginning to take’, will I consider adding fish. At this time, I have added root tabs, and when I finish adding plants, I will begin weekly fert dosing with Seachem Flourish.
Cycled sponges will be moved from existing active tanks, so it will be an instant cycling. Eventually, the total fish population will be 10 (12?) Metynnis silver dollars, a few cories, some Otocynclus, and a group of 12 Colombian red and blue tetras. The new fish have been in quarantine for a couple of weeks, and will remain until is time to move. The new fish will be introduced first, and a few days later the SD’s will be introduced.
Wish me luck. I would be grateful for comments or suggestions, and would also be happy to clarify things regarding this, or the current planted SD tanks.
Cheers!
About a year ago, I had to split three male fish to another 75g tank, due to an unbalanced sex ratio in my group, heavy on adult males, which led to males restlessly harassing fewer females). This move implied developing a second planted tank for the 3 fish, and this was again, not much of a problem. In the second tank, the same plants types were involved, rooted and floating. In addition, I attempted to grow Bacopa monnieri, with as yet an unclear level of success.
I recently acquired a 6 foot, 110g acrylic tank. After resealing it, making a stand, covers and setting it up, the tank is filled up.
I am ready to make it the new home of the 8 fish, and hopefully, in time, a couple more well-chosen individual fish, for a group of 10-12 Metynnis spp. silver dollars. The goal is to be PLANTED, and to go beyond what was achieved before. I will try the same plant species, but will add Anubias nana, Bacopa (again), and will try a couple more.
I face several challenges in planning/executing the new tank, and I wanted to document and share with you the progress or failure of the attempt. If it fails, at least you would have seen already evidence that it is possible, that I accomplished it before (twice over ~5 years), and let’s see what happens the third time. If it works, I couldn’t be happier, and hopefully the fish too –
1) I have to choose well the plant species to use
2) (ideally) the plants need to be established before the SD’s are introduced, and
3) I need to consider the reasons the SD’s have eaten some plants but not others.
A final consideration is that of trying to make the tank look somewhat habitat consistent, although this will be impossible; for example, Anubias, Crypts and Java Fern are all from the old world (Africa and Asia), whereas the fish are strictly South American. But I have to be realistic: Amazon swords will just not survive! So, I have to try some plants from South America, but some will not be SAmerican no matter what.
Regarding the reasons the SD’s have eaten some plants but not others), I have several hypotheses, and I believe they ALL have played a role in the 2 established planted tanks –
Hyp. One – Some plants are unpalatable to them, hence they don’t eat them or not much.
Hyp. Two – For whatever reasons, some of my individual fish don’t seem to eat the plants (at least not much), and other fish can ‘learn’ from them. I should be able to use ‘good role models’ to teach any new fish.
Hyp. Three – Some plant eating may be OK (on certain specific fast-growing plants), so long as it is not excessive and the plants can grow fast enough so as not to decline over time, thus maintaining themselves and looking good.
The new tank is newly setup (filled up and circulating water for 3 weeks now), and I started planting it yesterday (just a couple of cuttings for now).
I will continue planting during this and next week, and then wait. I want to make sure I don’t get algal blooms and other ‘new tank syndrome stuff’, and only when I feel the plants are ‘beginning to take’, will I consider adding fish. At this time, I have added root tabs, and when I finish adding plants, I will begin weekly fert dosing with Seachem Flourish.
Cycled sponges will be moved from existing active tanks, so it will be an instant cycling. Eventually, the total fish population will be 10 (12?) Metynnis silver dollars, a few cories, some Otocynclus, and a group of 12 Colombian red and blue tetras. The new fish have been in quarantine for a couple of weeks, and will remain until is time to move. The new fish will be introduced first, and a few days later the SD’s will be introduced.
Wish me luck. I would be grateful for comments or suggestions, and would also be happy to clarify things regarding this, or the current planted SD tanks.
Cheers!
