Today's a new day.

[Colin_T]

A lot of older aquarists did aquascape their aquariums. Some were quite good at it. I just didn't bother doing it because I wanted tanks that were easy to clean and showed the fish, not the plants.

I left school in the year 150,000,000 AD, the year of the Brontosaur. We didn't have year 11 or 12 back then. You were lucky to survive to year 7 let alone longer.

 

[elephantnose3334]

A lot of older aquarists did aquascape their aquariums. Some were quite good at it. I just didn't bother doing it because I wanted tanks that were easy to clean and showed the fish, not the plants.

I left school in the year 150,000,000 AD, the year of the Brontosaur. We didn't have year 11 or 12 back then. You were lucky to survive to year 7 let alone longer.

I get it now. Like in the actual year you graduated. Maybe in the 70s? you graduated high school, not the dinosaur age, but you're trying to be funny. 1970s were a different time in Perth. I survived high school, let's hope I survive Year 12 this year. Did you do a class reunion after you graduated?


'Ladies and gentlemen, the weekday.' (2020 Daniel Craig SNL episode reference)

 

[elephantnose3334]

Hi @Essjay,

A question for you: Do you enter your tanks on TOTM competitions? We would like to see one of your tanks being entered in the competition. I wish you luck on your shrimp and community tanks. What's your routine on your tanks?

 

[elephantnose3334]

Sorry for the break. It's Tuesday. Doing more research and priced out the Boraras species sold at the LFS.

 

[elephantnose3334]

Today's Wednesday. Do Parosphromenus sp go along with Boraras brigittae well? The O'Connor LFS has 60cm x 45cm paludariums (30cm water height, holds 81L, and 60cm plant height, cost around $700), so I need at least 27 Boraras brigittae and a trio of endangered Bornean Parosphromenus species. They both thrive in blackwater setups, which is a win-win. I know that the LFS's might have the deissneri species, but those are not from Borneo. The paludarium project is about the peat swamp forests of Borneo and how people might save them from palm oil plantations and agricultural land. I was going for a custom made one, but those are expensive, so I will choose a paludarium that holds 21.3 gallons of water. That could be enough for the two species. I remember that Boraras brigittae needs at least 20 fish to school with. They cost $15.95 each and if I times that by 27, that would be $430, that's a lot of money, but I will do it for the wellbeing of these fish.

Do both species jump out of the paludarium? The Bioscape paludariums are better than the UP Aqua paludariums because they're not shallow and is more stable than the UP Aqua ones.

 

[GaryE]

At $15.95 a fish, I would not have 10 plus to start. I would buy 6, set the tank up properly, feed properly and be patient. I bought 40 Boraras macalutus 2 years ago to make a video with, and when I was done, had almost twice as many to trade and give away to friends. They cost me under $2.00 each. Different markets.

Parosphromenus would eat the eggs.

Since your goal is conservation, you don't want to be a buyer without letting the fish live for generations in your tank anyway. Boraras won't like being in a small group, but that would only be for a very short time, if the set up and preparation are done right.

 

[elephantnose3334]

At $15.95 a fish, I would not have 10 plus to start. I would buy 6, set the tank up properly, feed properly and be patient. I bought 40 Boraras macalutus 2 years ago to make a video with, and when I was done, had almost twice as many to trade and give away to friends. They cost me under $2.00 each. Different markets.

Parosphromenus would eat the eggs.

Since your goal is conservation, you don't want to be a buyer without letting the fish live for generations in your tank anyway. Boraras won't like being in a small group, but that would only be for a very short time, if the set up and preparation are done right.

Hmm... That would be interesting. I heard a user on the forum saying that 20-30 is the minimum group size for Boraras, in one of my earlier threads. I'm focusing on the Bornean species, not breeding them yet. I'm not good at breeding fish, so research is definitely needed for these fish when breeding them. I will be a first time owner for both fish species, if I'm ready to start the journey. I like boraras because of their cuteness and tiny size, which would complement a blackwater setup. Have you been to Borneo? I haven't yet, but I would like to go there one day. And it's something I want to go for a long time. Borneo holds interesting freshwater fishes and they have intrigued me since days ago. I still like South American fish, but Borneo is as interesting as them.

 

[elephantnose3334]

@GaryE

What's the recommended pH range for Bucephalandra sp? I might plan to keep them in the paludarium, either submersed or emersed. Are they good plants for a paludarium?

 

[elephantnose3334]

It's Thursday. Doing some designs currently and doing more research on the species I picked for the setup.

 

[elephantnose3334]

@GaryE @Colin_T

What are some good, peaceful Bornean tankmates (that go with Boraras and Parosphromenus) for my upcoming 21 gallon Borneo blackwater paludarium setup? And what houseplants and marginal plants complement the peat swamp forests of Borneo?

And here's the stocking currently:

 

[GaryE]

It's a fantasy tank, but even if the stocking level lists at 73%, I take that site's estimates as generous. I would reduce the Boraras group to 20, and stay there. These are delicate fish, and maintaining water quality for them, and Parosphromenus, isn't easy. You're a new aquarist, so with the licorice gourami group, I would go slowly and carefully, and not stock higher than 50-60% on that site.

I love licorice gouramis and have kept a bunch of different ones. I've never used community tanks with them, and have always kept them in blackwater tanks with room. My last set up, the most successful for me, had 4 Parosphromenus in a 15 gallon, 55 ltr, with no other fish. They're great fish - really fascinating to watch when you see them, but their delicate nature outweighs their tiny size.

 

[elephantnose3334]

It's a fantasy tank, but even if the stocking level lists at 73%, I take that site's estimates as generous. I would reduce the Boraras group to 20, and stay there. These are delicate fish, and maintaining water quality for them, and Parosphromenus, isn't easy. You're a new aquarist, so with the licorice gourami group, I would go slowly and carefully, and not stock higher than 50-60% on that site.

I love licorice gouramis and have kept a bunch of different ones. I've never used community tanks with them, and have always kept them in blackwater tanks with room. My last set up, the most successful for me, had 4 Parosphromenus in a 15 gallon, 55 ltr, with no other fish. They're great fish - really fascinating to watch when you see them, but their delicate nature outweighs their tiny size.

I think 5 less Boraras (from the 27 fish I originally was going to stock with) would be enough for me. 65% stocking level is enough. Although it's slightly above 60%, it should do. I would keep them in even numbers. Anymore than that would be stated as 'overstocked'. I'm doing lots of research and I wanted to gain more knowledge about these fish. I will try not to overstock the tank like I did with my first aquarium. I might keep a pair or trio of Bornean Parosphromenus sp in the paludarium too, after the tank is fully cycled for a month or so. I was focusing on the peat swamp forests of Borneo, not a community tank.

Here's the revised stocking level:

Do you know what other peaceful fish from Borneo that thrive in blackwater environments might be good tank mates for both fish species mentioned? They're not common in Australian LFS's and maybe rare here.

 

[GaryE]

I posted you a site that showed what was found with Boraras maculatus, a close relative. The only fish on it I'd see as sometimes available here was Rasbora pauciperforata. It's about three times the length of a Boraras, but, slender and peaceful. I used to see them maybe once every year in really good stores when I lived in an urban area. I can't speak for Australia.

 

[elephantnose3334]

I posted you a site that showed what was found with Boraras maculatus, a close relative. The only fish on it I'd see as sometimes available here was Rasbora pauciperforata. It's about three times the length of a Boraras, but, slender and peaceful. I used to see them maybe once every year in really good stores when I lived in an urban area. I can't speak for Australia.

Oh. I was talking about the brigittae species, not the maculatus species. But I see what you mean. I guess @Colin_T might help about Australian LFS's.

 

[Colin_T]

I can't help with pet shops because I haven't been to one for a long time. All I can offer you is the links for Aquarium Industries (AI) and Bay Fish who supply most of the fish to shops in Australia. Bookmark the links and check them every week or two. If you see the fish you want, contact a pet shop and ask if they can get them in for you.

AI

Aquarium Industries - Current Stock

Each week, Aquarium Industries posts a list of the stock that we currently have available for order on our website as a downloadable excel file.

www.aquariumindustries.com.au

Bay Fish

LIVE FISH - Premier Pet Pty Ltd

Listing of LIVE FISH products

www.premierpet.com.au