Hi,
I am new to MFK and to big FH fish in general.
I´ve kept fish for aroud 30 years, mainly reef tanks, but I´ve been "dry" for 2,5 years (keeping only green tree pythons).
Encouraged and guided by a close friend (Miguel, here in MFK) I am setting up a 120g (4x2x2´) tank to keep datnioids. The tanks already exists and at least for the time being,it has to be this one.
I have spent some days reading about keeping these wonderfull fish (most of the threads of the first 8-9 pages in this forum...) and I think I can say I got the basics.
In the meanwhile, a good opportunity came along to acquire a few of them. In Portugal it is not common to see Dats so... when there is one (or even 2, as you´ll see) promising group available, action needs to be taken.
In a LFS I know for several years, there are 3 IT/D. microlepis for couple of months of around 4" that are eating (at least) frozen krill. I went there today with Miguel and of the 3, 2 look very confident and take the food from the hand of the employee. The other is mor shy (being dominated) but also eats frozen.
Curiously, judging by the colours, the 2 more confident are unstable and the shy one is stable. Go figure.
Another friend of us, that usually imports, has a group of 7 or 8 much smaller (1 to 2") that could also sell me. All of them are eating frozen as well.
Given the status, here are the questions:
1. Size of the group: of what I´ve read, specially when they´re young it is advised to have a bigger group (more than 5) to minimize the effects of agression. In the situation above, should I take them all (3 of 4" + 7-8 or 1 to 2"), or is it too much? The "shy" of the bigger three will be better once it has smaller ones around, I imagine. Will the smaller ones be in risk with the 3 bigger ones?
2. Tankmates: I see you advise having tankmates as "dither" (sp.?) fish as that is beneficial for the dats. Bichirs are usually advised. I am considering a group of 3 ropefish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus) of aroung 6" also available in the same LFS. Additionally I am considering another fish for "higher waters". A Flagtail ? Others?
3. Substract, plants and decor: I know some of you prefer the no substract and no decor method and others (like me, as a general) prefer decorated tanks.
I also read that some of you think decoration (driftwood, for example) aggravates their shyness, while other consider the opposite. I imagine there is no exact answer and it´s a trial and error.
I am considering a black substract (sand? other) a few woods (branches-like) and a background of giant valisnerias. Thoughts?
4. Light: dim
5. Filtration: strong. Will a Eheim 2250 be enough?
6. Water circulation: ? will a good filter return pump be enough? or should I add another pump just for circulation and aeration?
Well, I think this is all for the time being.
Thank you for reading such a long post and looking forward to your advise.
Regards
Joao
I am new to MFK and to big FH fish in general.
I´ve kept fish for aroud 30 years, mainly reef tanks, but I´ve been "dry" for 2,5 years (keeping only green tree pythons).
Encouraged and guided by a close friend (Miguel, here in MFK) I am setting up a 120g (4x2x2´) tank to keep datnioids. The tanks already exists and at least for the time being,it has to be this one.
I have spent some days reading about keeping these wonderfull fish (most of the threads of the first 8-9 pages in this forum...) and I think I can say I got the basics.
In the meanwhile, a good opportunity came along to acquire a few of them. In Portugal it is not common to see Dats so... when there is one (or even 2, as you´ll see) promising group available, action needs to be taken.
In a LFS I know for several years, there are 3 IT/D. microlepis for couple of months of around 4" that are eating (at least) frozen krill. I went there today with Miguel and of the 3, 2 look very confident and take the food from the hand of the employee. The other is mor shy (being dominated) but also eats frozen.
Curiously, judging by the colours, the 2 more confident are unstable and the shy one is stable. Go figure.
Another friend of us, that usually imports, has a group of 7 or 8 much smaller (1 to 2") that could also sell me. All of them are eating frozen as well.
Given the status, here are the questions:
1. Size of the group: of what I´ve read, specially when they´re young it is advised to have a bigger group (more than 5) to minimize the effects of agression. In the situation above, should I take them all (3 of 4" + 7-8 or 1 to 2"), or is it too much? The "shy" of the bigger three will be better once it has smaller ones around, I imagine. Will the smaller ones be in risk with the 3 bigger ones?
2. Tankmates: I see you advise having tankmates as "dither" (sp.?) fish as that is beneficial for the dats. Bichirs are usually advised. I am considering a group of 3 ropefish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus) of aroung 6" also available in the same LFS. Additionally I am considering another fish for "higher waters". A Flagtail ? Others?
3. Substract, plants and decor: I know some of you prefer the no substract and no decor method and others (like me, as a general) prefer decorated tanks.
I also read that some of you think decoration (driftwood, for example) aggravates their shyness, while other consider the opposite. I imagine there is no exact answer and it´s a trial and error.
I am considering a black substract (sand? other) a few woods (branches-like) and a background of giant valisnerias. Thoughts?
4. Light: dim
5. Filtration: strong. Will a Eheim 2250 be enough?
6. Water circulation: ? will a good filter return pump be enough? or should I add another pump just for circulation and aeration?
Well, I think this is all for the time being.
Thank you for reading such a long post and looking forward to your advise.
Regards
Joao
