So got a feeding video of the 80 gallon, they got black worms when I got home.
It’s at this point I want to go into further detail on what was going on in here. Keep in mind I used to have a 40, and 2 125′s. When I went down to just two tanks, one 125 had to go.
I upgraded the 40 to a 80 that has a shallow foot print but lots of floor space. I put the animals together that I thought would do best, and as time goes on I have had to remove what didn’t work.
Now these eels in this tank, I spent months trying to cure them of an awful parasite they shipped in with. They have been well for a long time and like the rope-fish bring me great joy. Unfortunately, just as there was fallout in compatibility in the 125, there was the signs in my 80.
The eels began showing up random marks on their faces. It would happen, heal, life goes on. Eventually I began trying to watch more, especially at night. I would hear strange noises, and finally narrowed it down. It’s quite simple. The wiggly trunk noses that the eels have must seem like worms to the ropes. They keep mistaking them as food at night. Hence the odd scratches and odd noises.
I tried previously feeding the fish in different areas thinking the marks were being scored during food time. I didn’t expect it to be happening at night. Either way a solution had to be made.
We made room at work and my rope-fish went in, along side the spotted bushfish. We are pushing to sell the ropes as a colony. If that is not possible we are not selling them individually, and the price is up on them. It’s not fair to send them out alone, they are social animals that grew up together.
It’s at this point I think the tank just needs to go more community. My cat-fish also began acting strange. They got used to so many others around, and seemed scared now that the tank was so empty.
I upped their school, but they are still scared. So I brought home odessa barbs. I have always had a soft spot for them. They look like an artist was given line-art, and this was the result of coloring in! It became clear I needed more of them, so I brought them in two lots. The next choice was the Red Salmon Rainbowfish.
I actually had a female once. Lot of people think the females are ugly but I don’t. Unfortunately what usually happens with rainbows is that all the male sell, and the females stick around for ever. So I took the males, and the females. I like them better than many other species with the exception of threadfins. I just feel like the threadfins won’t work well in the tank.
Lastly I have the two SAE. I really need something to help groom some of my plants and hands down my favorite “Algae eater” has always been these silly things. They are great when they are small, and have lovely personalities as adults. I’m not doing more because I know how territorial they can get as adults and feel that the tank is fine with just two.
My final additions would ideally be the honeycomb catfish at work. I won’t see them much but it will always be a treat when food goes in to see their adorable spinny behaviors. I’m also really curious as to if they will change behavior in response to how happy and easy-going the port-hole catfish are. I really think they might be more willing to move about in the day in the presence of other friendly cats. I don’t know for sure, and I’d love to try it.
I’ve also considered a few small peru flounder, but I’m not fully committed yet.
So that’s the jist of what is going on. I hope to get a plant light on this tank soon that has built in timer so that the entire tank can fall into a schedule. Same goes for the other tank but I want it on this one first. Anyway enjoy!
Oh and sorry about the eel being a little stinker and getting in the way. One of the always has to come in and try to hog the attention while begging for food.
