Guppysnail Aquarium Journal

[Biotope Biologist]

1. I think they might float and they might foul the water something fierce. It always seemed weird to me an animal with gills could drown, but here we are 😋

 

2. They are quite prolific. I had to upgrade them to a 10g after less than a year because I do not like crowding my critters. They really like munching on stale beardie food. I have also found with all my isopods, they really go through leaves! I’m not sure if this is their favored food but I can’t keep up and might have to go to store bought soon!

 

3. I have found that my critters avoid eating toxic plants. They have no issues munching on the polka dot plant or the crocodile fern but the silver pothos is immaculate. 
 

I think you will quite enjoy having these guys around! They are quite shy even though they know me. Like cockroaches they scurry back to their hides when lights are on.

[Guppysnail]

On 5/25/2022 at 10:36 AM, Biotope Biologist said:

They have no issues munching on the polka dot plant

This is good to know since I was planning on 2 of those in the tank….maybe they will stay in pots elsewhere 🤣

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 8/8/2021 at 3:11 PM, Guppysnail said:

I’m in south central PA I may have to take a day trip!

I'm originally from Shamokin, if you know where that is.

[Guppysnail]

On 5/25/2022 at 12:35 PM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

I'm originally from Shamokin, if you know where that is.

Yup I sure do. 😁

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 5/25/2022 at 1:12 PM, Guppysnail said:

Yup I sure do. 😁

I live in the South now. I really miss going to Knoebels.

[Guppysnail]

On 5/26/2022 at 9:24 AM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

I live in the South now. I really miss going to Knoebels.

I’ve been there a few times in my younger days. 

[Brandon p]

I know I’m later to the party but all mangroves in Florida, Red,White,and black will all grow in fresh water. The Red mangroves use the roots to filter the Na and do not not use the Na. Red mangroves are found in the roughest areas in the on the front line of beach es and waves. The white mangroves lose salt through the leaves as salt crystals on the leaves and are generally found deeper in the estuary with calmer water. The black mangrove does deposit salt on the leaves and they fall off unlike the white mangroves that keep the leaves

In Flordia all three with grow in fresh water. They have a more difficult growing in fresh water like around a lake due the faster growing other plants. Many gated communities and golf courses or and large Development plant and grow mangroves mitigate habitat loss and erosion control. 

The pods sprout at a fairly low rates. My personal opinion is that you will better in controlled environment. 
 

I had to get certified and take classes in order to file the papers to be able to trim mangrove in Florida as a permit is required. I have also been in charge of planting several lage lakes and wetland areas far inland of the coast.

[Brandon p]

On 5/18/2022 at 9:32 AM, Guppysnail said:

Lots of changes in the tanks.  Some already done and some on the way. I want more root feeders to grow down through the UGFs to eat the mulm. Plus, well I’m me and that means a constant state of change is where I’m happiest 😁.

i got some stuff already that’s in the tanks. I gave in and got my 🦐 shrimp some Java moss and susswassertang.  I have new CPD babies surviving in both tanks daily since I put in all the extra emergents for root fry cover and I’m hoping for some Pygmy and panda fry survival so they need ground cover. 
 

What is already in the tanks went into 5 plus the “under project construction Magical Mystery tank” with the CPD fry and new snails. The crinum is what I’m still waiting on from this order. 

One of my all time favorite places to order plants is having a huge sale so nice order placed today

 

Current state of the tanks I already added to.  I’ll take better photos of these plus the other tanks after everything is in.

HAPPY ADVENTURES…TRY SOMETHING NEW

What’s the secret with the bamboo. I have never had any luck?

[Guppysnail]

On 5/26/2022 at 8:14 PM, Brandon p said:

What’s the secret with the bamboo. I have never had any luck?

First off thank you for all the fabulous info on mangroves. I really appreciate it.  
I just stuck the bamboo in the tank and shine a grow light on it. Some reach the substrate so I stick those right in the substrate others don’t so the roots just hang and about half the stem. 
@dasaltemelosguy has the seven foot tall LB. He is the one to ask for tips and tricks 😁

[Torrey]

On 5/26/2022 at 6:14 PM, Brandon p said:

What’s the secret with the bamboo. I have never had any luck?

Not all bamboo will grow well in tanks. The "bamboo" that does well in tanks (Lucky bamboo) is actually a type of dracaena. Most dracaena will root in aquarium water, and do a great job at reducing nitrates.

I recently went to pick up Lucky Bamboo I ordered specifically for my tanks, and it was a true bamboo, which can only tolerate the bottom 2 "nodes" being immersed... so I won't be putting them in my tanks, lol

Light above the tank will determine the growth pattern and speed. If the roots *ever* get dried out, they won't recuperate. I'll try to remember to come back with a photo of my "palm dracaena" growing in my tank tomorrow. 

[Guppysnail]

My updates are sparse. Almost at the end of one of the projects I have been working on.  

Some changes. 
 

Lavender the pleco that hid in the tank until I return from the LFS where I took the siblings has a new home. Lavender was growing in the guppy boy 10g. Obviously not a suitable permanent home.  I do not want another larger tank. I’m in that perfect comfort zone of just the right amount. For as much as I fell in love with Lavender and their individual qualities I needed to find a new home. 
 

@ADMWNDSR83 had a friend very close to me who kindly took Lavender and gave him/her a good and loving ❤️ home along with a few guppy boys. I enjoy meeting who is adopting my babies rather than taking them to the LFS. It makes my heart happy to know they will be loved. 
 

Lefty has developed an egg belly. 😞. I fear her becoming egg bound without a partner.  Tulip is developing whiskers and his head is showing the redness from sexual maturity.  So I moved him from the panda tank into the guppy girl 20L with lefty this morning.  I’m nervous.  I hope they fall for one another.  A 20 L is no place fr a breeding pair of BN to live their lives. Right now they are both an ok size. I also cannot handle babies from 2 pair of breeders and I don’t want the heartache of more eggs. 
 

Lefty is so close to my heart since I’ve been through so much with her and she is so personable.  It’s heartbreaking but responsible to rehome them as a breeding pair. I’m going to wait until the spawn. I will keep their offspring to raise. I’m going to take them as a breeding pair to the new fish club I found last month Cichlid Club of York for auction. 
 

QUESTION 

I was not able to stay for the auction so I’m not certain. I think someone would be interested in a confirmed breeding pair more so than each as individuals.  Just looking for confirmation on this please. 
 

Tulip has just been introduced with the beat up anubias he claimed as a “cave”. Exploring so that good. 

Lefty has not noticed him yet  She is in her cave waiting for breakfast.

This is their home for now lights are not on yet so it’s a bit dim  

HAPPY ADVENTURES…TRY SOMETHING NEW

 

[Odd Duck]

On 5/31/2022 at 6:38 AM, Guppysnail said:

My updates are sparse. Almost at the end of one of the projects I have been working on.  

Some changes. 
 

Lavender the pleco that hid in the tank until I return from the LFS where I took the siblings has a new home. Lavender was growing in the guppy boy 10g. Obviously not a suitable permanent home.  I do not want another larger tank. I’m in that perfect comfort zone of just the right amount. For as much as I fell in love with Lavender and their individual qualities I needed to find a new home. 
 

@ADMWNDSR83 had a friend very close to me who kindly took Lavender and gave him/her a good and loving ❤️ home along with a few guppy boys. I enjoy meeting who is adopting my babies rather than taking them to the LFS. It makes my heart happy to know they will be loved. 
 

Lefty has developed an egg belly. 😞. I fear her becoming egg bound without a partner.  Tulip is developing whiskers and his head is showing the redness from sexual maturity.  So I moved him from the panda tank into the guppy girl 20L with lefty this morning.  I’m nervous.  I hope they fall for one another.  A 20 L is no place fr a breeding pair of BN to live their lives. Right now they are both an ok size. I also cannot handle babies from 2 pair of breeders and I don’t want the heartache of more eggs. 
 

Lefty is so close to my heart since I’ve been through so much with her and she is so personable.  It’s heartbreaking but responsible to rehome them as a breeding pair. I’m going to wait until the spawn. I will keep their offspring to raise. I’m going to take them as a breeding pair to the new fish club I found last month Cichlid Club of York for auction. 
 

QUESTION 

I was not able to stay for the auction so I’m not certain. I think someone would be interested in a confirmed breeding pair more so than each as individuals.  Just looking for confirmation on this please. 
 

Tulip has just been introduced with the beat up anubias he claimed as a “cave”. Exploring so that good. 

Lefty has not noticed him yet  She is in her cave waiting for breakfast.

This is their home for now lights are not on yet so it’s a bit dim  

HAPPY ADVENTURES…TRY SOMETHING NEW

 

A proven breeding pair is typically worth at least about 2-3 times the fish are worth as singletons added together.  Just to use random numbers, if they are $5.00 each then a proven pair is worth at least $20.00-$30.00.  These are random values used just for a simple example and I would expect your pair of long-fins to get a fair amount more than that.  I have seen proven pairs sell for 5 x the value of 2 individual fish, or more.  Good luck with your sale!

[Guppysnail]

Looks like I put Tulip in with Lefty just in time. She did not look far enough along to be visiting his cave he just claimed 45 minutes ago on the opposite side of the tank from hers. 

[Minanora]

I got the chance to catch up! I love all of the new plants, adventures and critters! Your tropical plant oasis is looking good!

[Guppysnail]

Like mother like daughter it was still looking like a bachelor pad 🤣🤣🤣

More cleaning to do dude!

[Guppysnail]

Real time action here. 
Lefty just came to the glass. For her first set she is the same size mom was. 

Edited May 31, 2022 by Guppysnail

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Heartbreaking to have to give up Lefty. 😞 - but i get it. We can't keep them all. 

[Guppysnail]

On 5/31/2022 at 1:51 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

Heartbreaking to have to give up Lefty. 😞 - but i get it. We can't keep them all. 

Watching their dance today…..sigh. We shall see if my willpower and resolve hold or I end up with another 40B 🙄

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

A proven pair of LF albino or lemon BNs is going for around $75-100 on aquabid. That could fund your hobby for awhile. Tough decisions. 

[Guppysnail]

On 5/31/2022 at 2:34 PM, Beardedbillygoat1975 said:

A proven pair of LF albino or lemon BNs is going for around $75-100 on aquabid. That could fund your hobby for awhile. Tough decisions. 

Thanks. I am not as worried about the money as I am getting them to someone who knows how to care for them and not stressing them through shipping. I shipped younger ones twice and lost sleep over it. They arrived safe but the stress for me is just not worth the money. I just was not certain if bagging them together as a proven pair would enhance their chances of getting a good home. Once they start though breaking them apart I just can’t do.  I’m such a romantic. 

Edited May 31, 2022 by Guppysnail

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

It's always difficult. I think you certainly could look for a trade on this website and your chances would be higher. I just wanted you to know that your work with them matters and can be rewarded, I think a good home does not have to be mutually exclusive from making a few dollars or getting some good fish in exchange. 

[Guppysnail]

On 5/31/2022 at 4:39 PM, Beardedbillygoat1975 said:

It's always difficult. I think you certainly could look for a trade on this website and your chances would be higher. I just wanted you to know that your work with them matters and can be rewarded, I think a good home does not have to be mutually exclusive from making a few dollars or getting some good fish in exchange. 

Thank you for your kind words. Good point. I will list them here first for local pickup once I can confirm they paired AND He successfully hatched the babies. Being retired if something went wrong I could not absorb overnight shipping costs and my body can’t absorb no sleep for three day priority shipping. It took me days to recover and feel normal again after a 1 day delay on overnight. I would need a nursing home after three day shipping 🤣

[Guppysnail]

Well Tulip has said “lady I just walked in the door give me a bit to adjust”. He is hiding between his cave and the log. She is now hanging out in his apartment waiting for his return 🤣

[Minanora]

ORD. Such excitement today! They're such characters. Lol! 

[Torrey]

On 5/31/2022 at 4:13 PM, Guppysnail said:

Well Tulip has said “lady I just walked in the door give me a bit to adjust”. He is hiding between his cave and the log. She is now hanging out in his apartment waiting for his return 🤣

ROFLMAO

Wait til I fill in the Patient Spouse™ 😆