Fish Adventure: Tateurndina Ocellicauda

[l_l_l]

Yesterday I've noticed that the pevlic fins have developed over the last few days and the black spot is starting to be even more opaque than before.

I've fed the grindal worms this morning and they all ate it pretty well!
 

 

[Ninjouzata]

Glad they're all starting to eat the grindal worms, some exciting growth! It's so fun to watch

 

[l_l_l]

Update time!!! 40 days old!!

http/youtu.be/1kAd69yMA9s

 

[Ninjouzata]

They're growing so fast! Still really enjoying watching all the shrimp!

 

[l_l_l]

I know right?
I wasn't really expecting the population to grow in there but looks like they are really happy haha!
I can't wait to set my second 5 gallon tank and see another colony explode!

 

[attibones]

Wow! They look rather healthy now. I'm hoping soon I'll have a similar fry journal popping up. I found another pair courting the other day. I'm just waiting on my java moss to come in so I can make the PVC pipes a little more natural looking and then I'm adding them to the tank.

How do you do water changes without sucking up any of the babies?

 

[Ninjouzata]

I know you didn't ask me and not sure what |_|_| is doing, but I would suck up debris with a turkey baster and then do a water change with my python with pantyhose covering it.
Thankfully now they're big enough that I can just use my python..although they still seem to like swimming into it and scaring me.

 

[attibones]

That's a good idea, Ninj. I've also been wondering how the hell to clean up the substrate in my twenty gallon with a bunch of shrimp lets scurrying about. Since this is also going to be the fry tank, I'll just practice with just the shrimp in it for a while. Haha.

 

[l_l_l]

I use a turkey baster when the debris at the bottom is unbearable (1 per month). With the shrimp cleaning crew I have, the debris is mostly mulm, which is good for the plants. You can see in my videos that my bottom is not clean at all!
 
As for the water change, I use a syphon to which I added a sponge from a sponge filter at the intake.
As for the part where I put the water back in, I do the opposite, that way, flow is restricted.
 
And congrats on your Future babies!

 

[attibones]

Thanks, man. I'll definitely be trying a couple of these things.

Are grindal worms very similar to micro worms or am I thinkin of banana worms? I'm considering starting a second culture of live foods. My microworms are super abundant, but I'm wondering if something larger for the adults wouldn't help condition them.

 

[l_l_l]

Grindal worms are bigger than micro worms, and a lot bigger.
They would be a perfect food to condition you gudgeons into breeding, that is what I use.

 

[attibones]

I'm about to look up some videos on the good ole youtube to figure out what all a grindal culture needs. If they are anything like meal worms, I can't handle it. If they are like earth worms, I'm okay. Meal worms frighten me. Haha! My adults in the past week have started to ignore their microworms in favor of the brine shrimp and bloodworms they get on alternating days (other days we get flake food or no food, but I've not been fasting them as much since they've really started to court). What temp is your tank? Mine feels cold to me, but the thermometer is reading around 79 (I think, lights just went out so I can't double check).

 

[l_l_l]

They are actually in the same family than earthworms!
 
Bloodworms are bigger than grindal worms tho, so you won't be able to feed them before at least 2 months.
 
My tank is at 76F right now and it feels hot.
What kind of thermometer do you have?
I have a glass one that is always in there.
 
Bloodworms and brine shrimp are super to condition your fish
 
If you'd like I'll post a video about grindal worms how to start a culture from a starter and general tips and tricks?
 
Cheers!

 

[attibones]

If you want to, go ahead, but I found a few videos. Got some potting soil. I'll just be feeding them pieces of blanched veggies to gut load the worms. It looks similar to the microworm culturing and harvesting but with potting soil and no yeast.

I got five new females yesterday (I only went in for two, I swear! Lol) and they've all started eating the same foods as I served the display tank last night.

My thermometer is a glass one. I guess it's just because it's so warm where I am right now. Plus I'm used to betta tanks which I tend to keep around 83 degrees. Ah well. Aaand the temp is reading under 75, meaning I need to adjust my heater, which would explain the chilly feel.

 

[l_l_l]

I feed my Grindal worms Low quality cat food, they really like to eat grains and all, not sure about the blanched veggies, I never tried.