ocellatus

I've heard some talk of a Channa ban coming for Alberta. Is this just rumour or is this a legit discussion?

O

My bichirs grew very slowly and never had what I recognized as a growth spurt. My pair of senegals maxed out at 11" (female) and 9 - 10" male in 2 years time. There was a noticeable difference in girth, with the female being significantly chunkier due to her consistently larger appetite.

Mine used the length of a 4' tank to swim. They and my delhezi's were very active and never seemed to stop moving, so would echo the need for a larger tank.

I used to run Aqua Clear's on the bichir tank......until my TT eel found a way to swim upstream and lived in the filter for a month. Then I switched to canister.

O

Online at:http://www.bvrgelements.com/product/New-Aluminum-20-lb-CO2-Tank/

67.95 USD for 10lb tank new.

102.95 UDS for 20lb tank new.

I haven't tried these guys out, but the brand is well known, and they come with CGA 320 fittings.

O

Nice! Where are you finding the diplogramma?

O

Difference between the sexes can be seen in the anal fin. For males, the base of the fin is thicker and fleshier; used to cup the eggs as the are laid by the female. The base of the female anal fin is thinner, as is the fin itself.

My senegal pair was easy to distinguish based on body size as well. While they were a similar length, the female was much broader and more plump. The male was fairly thin.

imgres

O

They are an awesome fish, and one of the more active of the bichirs. When I kept poly's my senegals rarely stopped swimming, but did enjoy the overhang of a piece of driftwood or rock ledge under which to chill. They also appreciate a rock / object that they can hide behind to escape your view.

Be wary of resin logs which have holes to allow the escape of air. My female senegal got spooked one day and darted inside, got stuck and needed an emergency hack saw rescue.

Their tank mates (delhezi, lapradei, ornate) also appreciated a bit of cover, though once they grew too large just hung out in the open, stacked on top of each other.

O

I'm setting up a heavily planted 180 g as a snakehead tank. Hoping to acquire pulchra's or stewartii.

On a side note: Big Al's Edmonton has adult and juvi fire and ice.

O

Quite common IME. Even taking good precaution (plate method) there will likely be some degree of cloudiness. My pool filter sand was very clean, yet still fogged my 180g for a week. With patience it will clear.

O

Agreed. They're knowledgable and their dry ferts are well priced.

O

:bow: Gorgeous! Obviously kept with a great deal of care.

O

www.barrreport.com

www.aquaticplantcentral.com

www.plantedtank.net

All very good.

O

Fancy substrates are HIGHLY overrated, IMO. Tho, they seem to be gaining popularity again. Most plants take nutrients thru the leaves, and those that are root feeders just need some root tabs and/or clay balls under them. I'm a huge fan of playsand - great color and cheap! Or stop by a sand blasting place and pick from a few colors. I've used garnet and a more coarse silica sand (Sil8 or 9) are great choices, too.

Any suggestions where in Edmonton to get blasting media suitable for a planted tank?

O

Hoplias malabricus would work well!

O

I take it you're no longer keeping channa? Had you kept any other species?

O

Looks nice. I'm trying to find a dark plant substrate on a budget. Like the fluorite, but it's a bit pricey for my new tanks (180 g and 75 g). Perhaps a mix as you've done.

O

As a new Albertan I was thrilled there was a site for local hobbyists. Discussions here have led me to great local vendors, good sources of info on local conditions, and I hope to share some RAOK once my planted tanks are up and running.

Much more of a community feeling than the big international sites (though I've learned a lot there too mind you...... )

O

Awesome! I'd heard that bleheri are one of the more difficult of the the dwarf species to breed. Did yours produce feeder eggs?

O

Wondering if anyone here is breeding snakeheads?

O

What substrate are you using?

O

Are you able to bring in Channa pulchra, ornatipinis, or aurantimaculata? O

I'll check the stock lists just before I order and let you know. If you are willing to wait chances are that I just might be able to get at least 1 of them for you. Likely be about 3 months before I order for these particular types.

I checked an old stock list for you and I can get the pulchra and aurantimaculata but not the ornatipinis which was not on the list. Approximate pricing for the pulchra about $40-$45 for 6-7" and the other about $90-$95 for 8-10".

That's great, thanks for the prompt reply. I'll PM you to discuss the details, and use the 3 months or so prior to order to get their tanks properly set up.

O

2 inches a month will see him catch up with the sun catfish in a hurry.

Haven't run across too many Channa here yet. It will be interesting to see him grow into adult colouration.

O

Nice wolf! How long did it take to grow him from 6 - 15"?

O

Are you able to bring in Channa pulchra, ornatipinis, or aurantimaculata?

O

I'll check the stock lists just before I order and let you know. If you are willing to wait chances are that I just might be able to get at least 1 of them for you. Likely be about 3 months before I order for these particular types.

3 months + would work out very well, as I need the time to get the tanks properly planted and established. No rush on the order, though if you could let me know the price ranges for each that are available I'd appreciate it.

FYI, my .02 on the above discussion: Always support quality vendors, especially the "little guys". Nothing beats knowledge and a genuine care for the wellbeing of the fish.

Look forward to hearing from you, and thanks for the prompt response.

O

Are you able to bring in Channa pulchra, ornatipinis, or aurantimaculata?

O

Mega indoor tropical pond? Nice.

Jealous of your SH, I'm developing my basement and have no tanks with water in them right now......Good luck with that little (soon to be big) guy. How and what is he eating?

O