The Sewellia have bred again!

[Martin Thoene]

What makes me wonder is who is eating the rest of the babies. The fact that all the babies were found in the filter seems to imply that someone in the tank is having nice free meals.

That'll be the Hikari Danios if I'm not mistaken. I watched aghast as my Puntius filamentosus scooped up a baby cheni right in front of my eyes.

Dither fish are a good idea until the Hillies breed, then they're a major factor in attrition. As most of us end up breeding the fish by accident, it almost always happens in a community setup and that's the price you pay.
If I was Emma, I'd get those out of there.

Martin.

[Graeme Robson]

Yup! Remove the Danios and Emma will have a Hilly production facility.

[Emma Turner]

Would it not be nice? To eliminate the need to imports and stop killing a lot of fish in process.

Personally we've not had any real problems with the importation of these fish so far, and we have had 3 or more shipments to date. However, the more people that can breed them in captivity, the better.

What makes me wonder is who is eating the rest of the babies. The fact that all the babies were found in the filter seems to imply that someone in the tank is having nice free meals.

Yes, Martin and Graeme are correct. I am sure it is the beautiful Hikari danios:

Beautiful, but greedy.

Also in the River Tank are a shoal of gorgeous Eight Banded False Barbs (Eirmotus octozona):

These are very shy, timid fish that hide in the darker areas of the tank together. They are supposedly quite difficult to keep, so I'm pleased how well ours have done. That photo is an old one of when they were first introduced. They are a lot fatter and much more intensely coloured now.

And finally there is a lovely pair of Schistura balteata:

Again this is an old pic. Both fish are now very chunky-looking.

So it's pretty certain that the Danios are the culprits, and I think fairly likely too are the Schisturas. I can't see it being the Eirmotus octozona as they are just so reclusive and gentle.

I have been toying with the idea of taking the Danios back to the shop for some time. I think I will actually do this over the next couple of weeks, although I can't say I'm looking forward to catching them all out. It'll be a case of removing all the decor, which is not going to be easy in that tank. I just can't bear to part with the Schisturas and the Eirmotus octozona, so they will definitely have to stay. But surely taking 16+ greedy Danios back to the shop will give the Sewellia eggs/fry a much better chance of survival?

Emma

[Emma Turner]

Just in case anyone's interested, I thought I'd mention the current water parameters in the River Tank where the Sewellia have bred:

pH = 7.1
dH = 8 degrees
Nitrates = between 5 and 10
Temperature = 80 deg F (hotter than usual due to warm weather).

Emma

[mikev]

Would it not be nice? To eliminate the need to imports and stop killing a lot of fish in process.

Personally we've not had any real problems with the importation of these fish so far, and we have had 3 or more shipments to date. However, the more people that can breed them in captivity, the better.

I most certainly did not mean you; but this happened to others quite recently, and i'm sure that the exporters kill a lot of fish in the process of shipping only some.
So if you can actually do this systematically, the world would be a better place!

I am sure it is the beautiful Hikari danios:

Very likely. The ones in my tank spend a lot of time surveying ground for possible leftovers. Worse than WCMM's or glowlights.

Tough choice... I'd hate to have to get rid of mine.....
Sounds like you need one more tank (<<Very Evil Grin>>), Sewellia+Confuzona should be quite a thing even without any dither.

[Martin Thoene]

Oh.......forgot about those S. balteata. I would bet they're the main culprits. Since I've had the one odd-ball Schistura in my tank there's been no more babies.

Too darned voracious.

Martin.

[helen nightingale]

those danios are beautiful. you need another tank! you dont really want any walls showing in your house do you? im sure you could squeeze in one more tank

[Martin Thoene]

I think their lounge is painted blue like a swimming pool just so's they can flood it one day and swim with the fishes Helen

Martin.

[helen nightingale]

they could charge people for looking in the window

marge would probably come up and scare small children as she's so huge though. there would have to be a sign up saying beware of the enormous fish

[Emma Turner]

I have been trying to get myself at least one other tank for what seems like ages, but unfortunately I'm meeting some resistance! Mind you, I haven't a clue where I could fit another in.

Emma

[Emma Turner]

Just thought I'd mention that I saw the baby from the 2nd batch today, nosing about in the Sewellia fry tank looking for food. He is tiny in comparison to the others, but the good news is that he has come to no harm in there. I don't think I'll get too many photo chances with this little one because there is quite a bit of decor in that tank now, as opposed to what it used to be like when I first photographed the other babies. Once he starts clinging to the glass, I'll have more of a chance. I'm just glad that I've seen him again, and that I saw him eating some of the tiny Interpet Liquifry no 3 powdered baby food that sunk to the bottom.

Emma

[Graeme Robson]

Lovely!!

[mamaschild]

I leave for a week, and look what you do

CONGRATULATIONS

[Emma Turner]

Thank you, mamaschild! Hope you enjoyed your week off.

Emma