![]() A little imagination, some silicone sealant and some lava rock can go a long way. On the other hand, if you wish to improve the appearance of the caves in your tank, you can use aquarium silicone sealant to attach aquarium-safe rocks or gravel to these caves. If your tank is used purely for breeding, there is no need to adorn these structures, as the fish are quite satisfied for them to remain bare. Many catfish, such as the bristlenose plecos, also prefer a long, low cavelike structure for egglaying. Others, such as the African Rift Lake cichlids, do best with plenty of retreats to help curb aggression, whether spawning or not. Some species of cichlids, such as convicts and kribs, use these caves as spawning sites. Though they may be less aesthetically pleasing than driftwood or natural rock caves, terra cotta flowerpots and sections of PVC pipe are a mainstay in aquaria for reasons of utility. That said, they may do fine with less if the tank is shallow and/or the plants are allowed to float on the surface where the light is more intense. Java fern is also fairly tolerant of low light, but most of the other plants listed do better with 2 or more watts of light per gallon. Under these conditions, Java moss will probably do fine, since it will often thrive in no more than ambient light. They provide just enough light to see your fish without encouraging too much algae growth. Most aquarium setups come with hoods that are not specifically intended for planted tanks. If you do include live plants in your tank, you will need sufficient light in the aquarium. Danios, at least, have reputations for feeding voraciously on their own eggs, but in my experience, by the time I remove the parents, enough eggs have found their way into safe crevices to provide plenty of fry. I have spawned egg-scatterers, such as white cloud mountain minnows and danios, in thick patches of Java moss. Most soft, fine-leaved plants also make a good spawning medium for fish that scatter their eggs. If your fish are particularly determined herbivores or your nonherbivorous fish seem to attack your plants, anyway, consider trying a thicket or two of fine-leaved plastic plants instead. If you have herbivorous fish, the old standbys Java fern and Java moss are probably your best bet, as these are often ignored by otherwise plant-eating fish. Their dense growth provides plenty of hiding places for baby livebearers, shrimp or just about any fish.Īs a bonus, their extensive surface area encourages the growth of tiny organisms that provide readily available snacks for your tiny aquarium inhabitants. Most of these are hardy plants that do well in low to moderate light and do not require supplemental carbon dioxide. Some of the best for this purpose include Java moss ( Taxiphyllum barbieri) or other mosses, Anacharis (also called Elodea), Hornwort ( Ceratophyllum demersum), Java fern ( Microsorum pteropus especially ‘Windelov’ or ‘needleleaf’), Guppy grass ( Najas sp.) and water sprite ( Ceratopteris spp.). One or more bunches of hardy, fine-leaved plants in your aquarium can provide refuge for many fish, from newly born fry to a subordinate adult. Let us consider the applications, benefits and caveats of some of the most popular hideaways. There is a wide variety of hideaways and refuges available for aquaria. The thoughtful placement of a moss-covered rock, an interestingly shaped hunk of driftwood strewn with Java fern or even a ceramic cast of a sunken ship can contribute a lot to the look of a fish aquarium as well as cater to the needs of your fish. These protected areas can also double as decor. Though we may need to use bare tanks for specific reasons (such as spawning or quarantining) on a short-term basis, time and experience demonstrate that fish not only exhibit fewer signs of fish stress, but also become more outgoing and demonstrative of natural behaviors if they can retreat to protected areas when they feel like it. How long would it take for you to become bored and uncomfortable, even neurotic? Life in such barren surroundings is clearly not an ideal situation for humans-and the same is true for our fish. Imagine having to spend an extended period in a room with no furniture of any kind. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |