Rando place where xXInkedPhoenixX posts about stuff....occasionally...

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Well, I really hate to post more sad news but my Bolivian Ram, Punk has passed. Unfortunately there is no body for evidence. He's not been seen (any part) for the last week. I was gone for a weekend and assume his tankmates took care of the "last rights" so to speak. He was looking very ragged in the end, I think he was just old as I did get him from another fish keeper, no telling how old he really was. I will likely get more Rams when I finally get the 196 gallon tank up and running but for now I'm just letting the Rasboras, Neons and solo SAE chill in the tank. Swim in Peace little buddy! 

Edited May 18 by xXInkedPhoenixX

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 5/18/2024 at 10:00 AM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

Well, I really hate to post more sad news but my Bolivian Ram, Punk has passed. Unfortunately there is no body for evidence. He's not been seen (any part) for the last week. I was gone for a weekend and assume his tankmates took care of the "last rights" so to speak. He was looking very ragged in the end, I think he was just old as I did get him from another fish keeper, no telling how old he really was. I will likely get more Rams when I finally get the 196 gallon tank up and running but for now I'm just letting the Rasboras, Neons and solo SAE chill in the tank. Swim in Peace little buddy! 

@xXInkedPhoenixX I am so sorry for your loss. I had fun following along on all of Punk’s adventures.

[Yoshi]

My sympathies.  I've really enjoyed reading through your log sharing your experiences vicariously.  

[nabokovfan87]

RIP Punk.... We're gonna miss your antics. My condolences.

[EricksonAquatics]

Aw, I'm so sorry, it's hard to lose centerpiece fish. They really are little wet pets. 

I haven't posted on your journal at all but I always love seeing updates on Punk.🙂Such an awesome little guy!

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

OK! Mixed news here. 

PUNK IS ALIVE!!!!! 

Nearly a week with absolutely NO sign of him I spotted him in the tank just swimming in a circle aimlessly.

Now while this is very nice news, what isn't nice is his condition is TERRIBLE. His right eye is nearly bursting from his head, left is a bit swollen and he seems understandably listless. Now I'm with our leader here @Cory in that I can't euthanize a fish.I did it once and felt terrible afterwards. Instead I'm going to try. So Punk is now in Quarantine with Maracyn, IAL, salt and water conditioner. If he's still trying, I'm still trying. Cross your fingers for him folks, it might get ugly!  

Edited May 29 by xXInkedPhoenixX

[nabokovfan87]

Wishing for the best and as much of a recovery as possible.  I don't know what caused that, but if you were running a tidal filter I would go there first....  I feel so bad for the little one.

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@nabokovfan87, thanks very much. I assume it's a continuation of his already inflamed eye that's been going on for months- and I don't even know how that started. No matter what I did nothing changed, then he disappeared and reappeared with it worse. I'm assuming that originally he got the injury somewhere in the tank. I only run sponges in there but there is wood and plants, not to mention the "Angry Man". Now that he's isolated I'm hoping I can help his situation. We'll see. 

Edited May 29 by xXInkedPhoenixX

[nabokovfan87]

Agreed.

I can attest, given my current situation, sometimes meds just aren't going to "fix it" and sometimes it's a really weird issue.

Hoping for the best results and some sort of relief to the fish issues for you (and the fish).

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Punk is still swimming in circles in his QT no change. Day 4 of Maracyn. After this I'm just going to let him soak in IAL and salt and let time take its course. 

On to more positive things. I continue to occasionally see a single baby from my False Julii Corycats. It's funny it's always just one. I think maybe I had 2 of similar age at one point as well but one was significantly larger. Once they get anywhere near adult sized however I have no idea who is who since they all look the same just some are LORG and some are considerably SMOL. To use internet terms. My girls are GARGANTUAN AMAZONS. I mean super tubby things. The sad part is, pics just don't do them justice. 

Here is a tubby sitting on the medium ACO filter. If you have a sponge this size you kind of have an idea of what a tank this fish is: 

Then there's a juvenile. Not tiny but small enough I know it's a recent addition to the group, like Cory tend to do, sit in the food bowl staring at you expectantly: 

Here is one of what I think is a male: 

They seem happy. I have no idea how many I have now. They'll be even happier when the 196 gallon finally gets up and running. 

I occasionally get to see one of my Horned Nerites in the Angry Man tank. I used to have a trio, Lock, Shock and Barrel - however I know at least one has moved on from this world. Not sure if I have 2 or just one at this point since I never see 2 at the same time (like Batman). I wish I could have a whole army of these. I love them. Instead I have an army of Ramshorns! 

Let me also sing the song of love for my Harlequins. All 10 of them have been with me since I set up my first 20 gallon tank in 2020. Not one has been an issue for me. They are beautiful fish and I look forward to having more of them when we move to the bigger tank. They always look a little conspiratorial: 

Last but never least. I think I have the PRETTIEST Otocinclus fish in the world: 

Edited May 31 by xXInkedPhoenixX

[Flipper]

On 5/29/2024 at 5:30 PM, nabokovfan87 said:

but if you were running a tidal filter I would go there first....

Why would you suspect the Tidal filter ( curious since I have the Tidal 35).

Poor little Punk!  He's pitiful, bless his heart.

[Flipper]

On 5/31/2024 at 9:21 AM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

Let me also sing the song of love for my Harlequins.

I love your Angry Man tank and the Harlequin Rasboras.  I only have 4 but they have happily lived and shoaled alongside 3 Rummy-Nose Tetras for 2 years now, without any illness or distress (1 tetra died in quarantine).  I didn't really know what I was doing but I had a single female Betta in my 20 high, so I got the other fish to keep my Betta company, plus 1 dwarf Clown Pleco (still fat and sassy).  This fact seems weird to me but when I lost the Betta to fin rot, the other fish all seemed much happier.  Maybe their was some bullying that I wasn't aware of.  🤔

After losing 3 Bettas in 5 years, I decided I really enjoy these healthier fish more.  I need a bigger tank some day!

You always inspire me, @xXInkedPhoenixX ❣️

 

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

On 6/7/2024 at 2:10 PM, Flipper said:

After losing 3 Bettas in 5 years, I decided I really enjoy these healthier fish more.  I need a bigger tank some day!

Gosh I so know the feeling. I'm done with Betta AGAIN. I'm always tempted but they are so fragile. I DO love my healthy schoolers. They are never a problem just do their thing and sometimes I forget how amazing they are, so sometimes I just have to watch them and remember that they (Harlequins and Otos) are what I started with. My bigger tank will have more of the same kinds of fish (groups of the same, I'm starting to lean away from "centerpiece" fish). The Angry Man is only a 20, if you were near me I'd gift it to you when I moved my fish out to the big one! It's my favorite tank that I've ever had and has been a joy to have. 

Thanks so much for the kind words, they are very much appreciated. 

 

[Flipper]

On 5/31/2024 at 9:21 AM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

They'll be even happier when the 196 gallon finally gets up and running. 

Good luck with your new huge tank.  I can't wait to see pictures of it.  🤗

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@Flipper thanks much! It will be some time before I get it up and running. Probably next 6 months or so. I do plan on consolidating everyone in my tanks into 1 40 gallon breeder until I can set up the big tank. 

On that note, what do you think fish family, I'm pondering breaking down my "Accidental Tank". It has 5 Endler males and 2 Hillstreams with 1 Nerite. I was thinking about plunking my Endlers in with either the Otos/Corycats in the Parent Tank with the Hillstreams which is stable but already fairly overstocked OR would they be ok in the Angry Man with the Tetras/Harlequins?

My only worry, will the SAE or the Tetras/Harlequins bother the annoying little brothers (Endlers)? Anyone keep all of these in one tank? 

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

I know how we all run through the forum (I miss updates from threads I follow so I have to go to where I've posted before section) but if anyone has any input on the above entry that would be nice! Haven't done anything yet!

The bad news first. Punk isn't going to make it but he's not done yet. He has gotten markedly worse, I won't even go into how. It's sad. I still can't bring myself to euthanize him. 

 

On to brighter things. I was home from work and walked past the Accidental Tank and behold! I see Dyson the Hillstream loach on the glass! This may not seem at all exciting to you my friends but it is to me because they (unknown if Dyson is male or female) are usually on the side of a sculpture in the tank in a crack where I can barely see them. I was so happy! 

It's funny how I can immediately tell the difference between the two, Dyson and Kirby. It's easy if I see them from their "tops" as Kirby is golden and Dyson is nearly black. I find their "bottoms" equally distinctive. Here they are side by side (not literally because I have not seen that happen in a LONG time. 

I have some really cool mixed male Endlers I got from a local breeder (5) each one unique and impossible of course to take pics of...the bottom 2 pics are of the same Endler who I should call "the blur". Couldn't get the other 2 on camera! 😆

Edited June 15 by xXInkedPhoenixX

[EricksonAquatics]

The names for your hillstream loaches are absolutely genius! Dyson kills me😂😂

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Yesterday I got a new edition. Keeping a careful eye on local forum posts someone had to rehome their adult bristlenose male. A breeder that lost his mate. I was on the lookout for one for my longfin female. Now while I know a 20 high with all the other bottom feeders in the tank isn't ideal, moving EVERYONE to a 40 breeder soon in a transition will be better for them - and even better when we get the 196 gallon up and running in the next year or so. 

Anyway here is the pic the member posted with a couple of his kids:

 

So I picked him up last night after work. He was definitely stressed, poor guy. I acclimated him to my water for a while. I was able to hand catch him and place him in my tank, and he just floated like a piece of paper down to the plants. This concerned me. He did eventually attach himself to the back glass which was good but he seemed to have a hard time keeping himself there. I figured I'd give him some space, it was lights off time with the tanks anyway. Here he is in the container I was given: 

Here he is when he finallly managed to make it to the back wall:

The former keeper told me he actually doesn't hide much, that he's usually front and center and that would be very nice since Seraph, my female, I don't see very often unless she's eating. Even then she likes to scurry off. I know she's in there because I see her fins and that's about it!

This morning I was eager to check on him and lo and behold he WAS up front. No real color change yet but he was at least moving around and more active. 

I excitedly shared the news with Intrepid Partner. I told him I was going to call this new fish Seuss, as the males always remind me of Dr. Seuss characters. Intrepid Partner said "I don't think we see your fish the same way" and I said oh really, what do you see? He then sent me this picture: 

 

😆😆😆😆

Edited July 27 by xXInkedPhoenixX

[DaveO]

On 7/27/2024 at 9:44 AM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

and even better when we get the 196 gallon up and running in the next year or so. 

You don't want to rush into it, after all. 🤣🤣🤣

 

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

On 7/27/2024 at 1:27 PM, DaveO said:

You don't want to rush into it, after all. 🤣🤣🤣

 

Haha, yea I know, hopefully it will be sooner but we have lots of projects to complete before it will be ready for fish. Mainly we want to make really sure we have a scape that we both love. Plus he wants to shore up under the house more. 

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

There's not been a lot going on with my tanks lately. Just maintaining as best I can while waiting for a big move to a 40 gallon in anticipation for the final move to the new 196 gallon. My SAE Bissell is doing a great job maintaining the algae in the Angry Man tank but he's gotten so big - he's one of the few that will benefit most from getting moved. 

Yesterday I took the Foo Dogs out of my Accidental Tank. I'm making more room for a new resident currently in QT as of yesterday. I put one of my Anubias that keeps getting covered in some sort of different algae (course feeling and easily taken off hardscape not so much plants) into the Angry Man tank, the SAE and Ramshorns snails really like it. I'll be rotating out plants for them to clean. 

Anyway, on a whim while looking around the LFS with Intrepid Partner we decided to pick up one of the beautiful Dwarf Flame Gouramis they had: 

Edited September 8 by xXInkedPhoenixX

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Been working on the Accidental Tank to put the new inhabitant Dwarf Flame Gourami when he clears QT. So to make more room for him to move around I removed the Foo Dogs I had in there and one at a time placed the Anubias that was covered in algae in the Angry Man tank and let the SAE Bissell have at them, but surprisingly though Bissell did a great job cleaning, the red Ramshorns actually seemed to do the lion's share of the work. A good vacuum and the Accidental Tank now looks really nice: 

It's incredibly hard to take pics of this tank either for reflections or the brightness of the lights. It's much better in person. Here's some algae free Anubias: 

Meanwhile Suess, my newer longfin albino Bristlenose male has been hanging out in the Pleco cave a lot. Not sure if we've had any egg laying going on. He sometimes leaves the cave to hang out upside down on the small sponge filter, just like a Suess character would: 

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Last night I decided it was time for the 4 new Black Neons to go into the  Angry Man. They were quite pale for a few minutes after being acclimated and put in the tank but colored up quickly. The 4 established residents were hesitant at first too, however because of their diminished numbers in the recent past they have not been acting themselves and mostly hide. Now everyone is happier. It was cute to see the 4 new ones school up when they were put in the tank and one by one the others came out and this morning everyone seems really happy. You can see the four new ones to the left of the pic below and the residents just starting to come out to see the newbies:

I would have added them a week sooner, but I'm only concerned about "Fin" one of the new Neons who came to me with pretty severe fin damage. Maybe they were born this way but to me it looks like the tail fin was ripped at some point. I watched for extra time to make sure the fin didn't go fungal or lead to body rot. I was also concerned about bullying but so far Fin seems to be holding their own in the tank, so I'm very happy about that. In the original pic you can see Fin's damage but here it is pointed out, just a tiny hook shaped tail fin at the top: 

Having succesfully added them yestereday this morning I decided to also release the Dwarf Flame Gourami (who has yet to get a name). He hid for a little bit but after a few minutes he started exploring. I was concerned about whether he'd make targets of the 5 resident Endler males but though they seem scared of him and have been kind of cowering here and there, the Gourami doesn't seem interested. I didn't realize how piggy these little ones are! He poops SO much and now is picking at everything in the tank that might be tasty! Hopefully he continues to ignore the Endlers and everyone settles in nicely!