Critter questions

[Jim Miller]

I got a dozen Boraras brigittae in the group buy and from all appearances they all made it. I could find them all the first day. The other fish and shrimp and active and eating as well. Coloration of all is good.

I'm concerned however that I can now only find 7 of the chilis. They are small and are sometimes difficult to find but I've been looking for quite a while and never see more than 7.

I'm not finding any carcasses floating or on the bottom. Is it possible that they are getting sucked into the filter? My flow rate is a pretty pathetic 200gph in a 90g. Is it possible they are dying and getting eaten by the OEBT or amanos at night leaving no trace?

I notice that the C. habrosus and occasionally an oto will periodically streak to the surface for a gulp of air and then go about their business. No one is at the surface gasping. Is this normal?

I've added an airstone to ensure some surface turbulence to ensure oxygen exchange. No CO2 yet, I haven't got it up and running yet.

I've only got the otos, corys and shrimp in addition to the chilis so there's no predation I can imagine.

Thanks

Jim

[DelawareJim]

Yes it is possible the Chilis are getting sucked into the filter, or dieing and being eaten by the shrimp, especially if they are quite small.

Also it is normal for the Otos and Corys to take a gulp of air periodically. Various theories include adaptations to poorly oxygenated riverine systems, poorly developed respiratory systems or gills, or restrictions from the scutes with Corys.

Michael or Sean may be able to shed more light on why.

Cheers.
Jim

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

I put all my chili rasboras in a 'breeder box' and floated that in my main tank.
They were pretty skinny when I got them and I wanted to give them a little TLC.
I sprinkled a bit of substrate at the bottom of the breeder box and put a few bolbitis leaves in there for some cover. I've been feeding them frozen baby brine shrimp 3 x a day - and they're looking a HECK of a lot better than when I got them. I did lose 2 of my 20 the first night, but all of the remaining ones are looking great now, bellies filled and colors starting to show. They're pretty active now - pecking around for food.

its more difficult to ensure they're eating ok in a large tank. I wouldnt be surprised if you lost some to the filter / they died and carcass got eaten by the shrimp.

[Judi]

I lost two of my chili rasboras within a day. Saw an amano eating one carcass, saw another stuck to the filter intake (I'm assuming it was dead or near death before the filter got it; I've never known a healthy fish to get stuck to a filter intake).

Lights haven't come on yet today for me to check, but as of last night, there were four unaccounted for. But they move so quickly, and keep darting in and out of the plants, so my count may be off. Haven't checked my filter yet, but I've seen them swim right by the filter intake without difficulty, so if any do end up in the filter it'll be because they chose to go exploring. (I had an ember tetra that used to do that repeatedly).

Some of them were very skinny, but the ones I could see yesterday all appeared to be eating baby brine shrimp eagerly. Almost all had good color.

I like the breeder box idea; I'll have to remember that for the future.

[g01ngog]

I got mine in, I ordered the remaining 6, and when I counted before starting the acclimating proccess I counted 6.With 1 dithering I gathered I would only have 5 after a few days. Well yesterday I saw the dithered one on the substrate on the verge of death. I recounted the ones that were living and saw 6. I was perplexed and well can only guess that an extra was accidently put into my bag.


+1 on the breeder box idea; time to get myself one.

[Jim Miller]

Just got a breeder box and SFBay brine shrimp kit.

Tnx

Jim