Guppysnail Aquarium Journal

[Guppysnail]

So here is where we are at …

Tulip is not ready, Lefty this morning looked ready to pop with a fully accentuated cloaca. Tulip ran all day yesterday and all morning the minute Lefty got close. He would not go near a cave. 
 

Lefty looked desperate.  Angel, the first spawn male I kept, in the 29 guppy tank, has been showing off his fanning skills for months trying to attract a girl that does not exist.  He is already almost full size with an established cave and territory that Tulip did not have in Lefty’s tank.  
 

I pulled Lefty and her cave and put them in the 29.  This worries me moving and stressing  a heavily gravid female so close to needing to drop eggs. 
 

The reasons I did not pair them first…

1. Angel has 2 genetic breakthrough color spots  I fear the spawn will be harder to find homes for.

2. Angel is the first pleco baby I kept from Mom n Dads first spawn who I love dearly and cannot part with.

3. I really don’t want/can’t support 2 breeding pairs of BN.

Thoughts and hopes…

Hopefully the giant guppy girls will do some fry control (even though they are not great at controlling their own 🤣) so I can keep them. 

The 29 is smaller than I am comfortable with for a breeding pair as a permanent home.

Angel being territorial I am mildly concerned he will not accept Lefty  in his space.  
 

:::sigh::: OH THE DRAMA

Stay tuned for the developing ongoing reports as this happens  I’m going to try and do real-time updates so anyone else trying to pair BN can see my play by play.

Lefty’s cave and food bowl in her new tank.

Tank layout

And of course Mom is going to drop her eggs today.  The only times she usually comes to the front glass in the morning is to show me her egg belly before she drops. 😝

[Guppysnail]

Moving right along. Angels body has become as pink as his sexual maturity headspot. He is at his cave. Lefty is making her way around exploring…..the tension thickens (for me 🤣)

Edited June 1, 2022 by Guppysnail

[Guppysnail]

First meeting 

Pretty boy strut display after dashing in to clean the cave. 
 

@Atitagain This is definitely going to be one of those blue toes moments. I have not even gotten out of pajamas. All this drama started at lights on. 🤣

[Guppysnail]

WOOHOO 🥳🥳🍾🎊

We have success!

Angel is just as polite as his dad.  He allowed her into his cave to inspect without trapping her. Now she has her nose at the inside edge and they are making small talk.

Timefor me to end my voyeurism and allow them a peaceful honeymoon 🥰

….get my PJs off and actually start me day when the blood and feeling returns to my toes 🤣

HAPPY ADVENTURES…TRY SOMETHING NEW…AND EXCITING 

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 6/1/2022 at 9:16 AM, Guppysnail said:

This is definitely going to be one of those blue toes moments.

You need a more comfy chair!

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 5/9/2022 at 7:34 PM, Guppysnail said:

Babies are here. 5 of 6 out of the shell. The 6th is in there tight  but seems to slowly be moving a bit. 
 

When these kids get old and I get sad at the aging out PLEASE someone show me these pictures and remind me how awesome baby mystery snails are. 🥰❤️

What are they eating? A pea pod? Boiled green bean?

[Guppysnail]

On 6/1/2022 at 11:40 AM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

What are they eating? A pea pod? Boiled green bean?

Steamed fresh green bean with the seeds removed. It’s their favorite as well as my snails favorite.  Anytime I want I photos or stress them out those are what I feed.  

Edited June 1, 2022 by Guppysnail

[Atitagain]

@Guppysnail your the best. Loving the play by play. The long fins on your BNs are amazing in your video ⬆️ Acceptance he is on full display waiting as she inspects👍👍

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

As The World Turns BN LF Pleco Style!!!

They're truly spectacular! Mom’s belly is a sight to behold. No wonder all these offspring are so incredible!

[Odd Duck]

On 5/31/2022 at 2:05 PM, Guppysnail said:

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. 

Some fish clubs/associations require that males and females of some species be bagged separately, but with the bags taped or rubber-banded together to sell as a unit.  For BN plecos for local sale, not through a club/ assoc, I would think a single large bag would be fine as long as they overall get along.

Inquire before you bag them for auction, to make sure of what’s required.  I would definitely expect them to be in higher demand as a proven pair that had raised young, that’s why a proven pair demands a better price vs 2 separate, sexed individuals.

Here’s hoping that Angel lives up to expectations and relieves Lefty of her burden.  Ooohh, the drama!  😬  I don’t know that spots would be an issue.  They add character and some people like that better than pure color.  I think their long fins will be enough to offset any concerns about freckles or spots.  Cindy Crawford and Marilyn Monroe both had beauty marks and they are considered even more beautiful because of them.

Edited June 4, 2022 by Odd Duck

[Guppysnail]

@Odd Duck thank you for the bagging info. I would have never even thought to ask.  Angel and Lefty acted like two teenagers in love all day yesterday.  She was in his cave nose to nose with him many times yesterday.  When she was not he was following her around. At dinner time they both went to his food bowl.  Guppies got chased away as usual but he hung on the edge while she ate then they both went to her food dish together. So much like mom n dad but different.  

Freckles…🥰 this is a perfect way to think of this. I love it. 

[Odd Duck]

I only knew to mention it because I was helping with our association’s auction.

They sound adorable together!

[Guppysnail]

Frogging’s tank is bioactive. 👏 

Even with the warning the isopods will eat my polka dot plants I put them in anyway.  I have come to adore my little powder orange pets. They are stil skittish but if I approach slowly and sit still for a bit they come out and about when it is dim.  I ordered another group of them from a different vendor I trust. I’m not certain of whether genetic diversity is a thing in the isopod world but it cannot hurt. This will also allow me to get them in frogs tank sooner.  Right now they are in a little one gallon to get the colony started. 

My sprintails came in from a vendor I use quite a bit and really like. Shipping on the carriers part was delayed so the adults perished being hit with a 92 degree day.  So they are in a 1 gallon waiting for the eggs to hatch. I called the vendor and explained I already set the tank. I’ve dealt with them for a long time so they are rush shipping another order I purchased.  I will have excess when both get going but I don’t want excess fungus or mold building up before I get these guys in to do their job. I also on a whim got a small culture of tropical pink springtails. I’m going to do a bioactive setup in frogs old smaller exo-terra just for the isopods and these guys just for fun. 

I have a question for @Biotope Biologist again sorry to be a pest.  The springtails that got zapped by heat came in on clay.  I’m used to getting them in charcoal or coconut.  Once they get going can I sit the clay in the tank or will the isopods eat the eggs?  This is the first bioactive this large (40g) I have done. I would like thriving colonies so I don’t have to reseed.  Or is putting the clay nest in just a bad idea? 
 

HAPPY ADVENTURES…TRY SOMETHING NEW (glass boxes can be a variety of fun adventures) 

Edited June 2, 2022 by Guppysnail

[Biotope Biologist]

@Guppysnail You’re never a pest 😊 

 

As for the springtails I received my springtails and isopods together in a container with soil and leaflitter. From what I can tell they seem to keep out of each other’s way. I was more concerned about the mites that came with, but I haven’t had any major breakouts or shown signs of predation. Everyone seems to get along. 

[Guppysnail]

SYNCHRONICITY 

Mom and Lefty BOTH laid their clutches last night 🙄

Mom always goes to the far back corner when she is done. Apparently Lefty does as well.

MOM

LEFTY

Lefty’s clutch is so small compared to moms huge mound.  I forgot how small moms were at first. 
 

Dads cave is located back to far to get video anymore.  Here is Angel being a dad. 🥰

HAPPY ADVENTURES…TRY SOMETHING NEW

[TeeJay]

I need one of these. I'll just have to take a Lyft over to get one. When there old enough of course. 😍

[Guppysnail]

On 6/3/2022 at 8:16 AM, Uttjrt3 said:

I need one of these. I'll just have to take a Lyft over to get one. When there old enough of course. 😍

I was planning on listing some of these babies for local pick up.  I can’t imagine the new club will have enough members wanting a bulk supply of plecos to rehome my HOARDES 🤣

[TeeJay]

On 6/3/2022 at 8:19 AM, Guppysnail said:

I was planning on listing some of these babies for local pick up.  I can’t imagine the new club will have enough members wanting a bulk supply of plecos to rehome my HOARDES 🤣

Well next year when I rent my car to take my daughter's on vacation I'll have to make a pit stop on the way home for one.

[Guppysnail]

It figures. Today Tulip decided to tell me “Mom I am ready to be a good Dad.  Look how pretty I can fan eggs” 🙃

Lefty always spent most of the day upside down in her cave so I did not see her egg belly. When I did because it’s her first it was not real big. So totally my fault for catching it late. I knew Tulip was ready and figured it was a stretch he would be ready as soon as I moved him to a new tank. 

Angel is being a good dad. I only had to chase him back in the cave twice with the flashlight. He was still in front but not inside fanning. Since I did that he only comes out in the evening for a super quick veggie bite I put right next to his cave opening like I do for Dad. Dad was the same way at first. It took Dad 4 flashlight chases before he got the hint not to leave his eggs. 
I think Lucky may be a girl so Tulip may have another chance. 
I put Honeysuckle in the tank with Tulip so he would stop eating all my Pygmy eggs. Pygmy are having a grand old time now that Honeysuckles log is out of that tank. 😁. 

[Guppysnail]

Impromptu DIY and Impulse buy.
 

I impulse bought a micro worm culture at a fish club meeting.  I know nothing about these things.

I’m going to attach the thread here. I like to attach my other posts so all my info is in one location and I can come back for forgotten tidbits I need later.  

Thank you @Ogpulchra for posting that video  it was one of the ACO videos I never watched because I was not doing microworms so forgot it was even around.

Thank you also @Brian, @MrWestCoast, @Odd Duck

I ended up going with instant potato’s and bought a pack of hot dog buns. I layed the potato’s in according to the video instructions and ground the bun in a food chopper to sprinkle on top instead of yeast  I figured if folks had good luck with each maybe together they would be better. 🤣  I originally was going to do one of each but changed my mind for fear of too much bread causing mold since this is my first time doing them.

I split the ready to harvest culture into three. I figure once they start getting ready to harvest I will transfer to new cultures at time intervals. Hoping to get a system going that I will have a lifetime supply even if I crash a culture.  Crashing a culture is most probable for me.  I’m lousy at live fish food cultures.  Insect cultures for amphibians are reptiles are much easier.  

I cut larger holes in the lids the super glued floss pads over the top to discourage insects but allow free flow air while still retaining humidity.  

I placed them in a styrofoam container to contain the smell, keep in humidity and discourage nosey cats. It’s not air tight since the wind pulled the lid off hubby’s shopping cart and under the wheel as we trekked across the parking lot 🤣😝 Hubby made the duct tape repairs. I just have to lift the lid each day to ventilate a bit extra.   If you look in the sink you will see a nosey cat paw.  Very interested in what delightfully stinky thing mom just brought home 🤣🥰

HAPPY ADVENTURES.. TRY SOMETHING NEW AND IMPROMPTU!

 

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

@Guppysnail This is exciting.  I'm interested to see how you do with these!  I love how you are not afraid to try new things.

If you do end up having an insect problem, these things are great for that.

P.S. I also have a nosey cat who must be involved in pretty much everything I do. 

[Guppysnail]

🎉 WOOHOO 🥳🍾🎊

We have success. I checked very early this morning and Angel still had eggs. I checked just now and no eggs but wrigglers everywhere.  He is still deep in the cave with them. I’m so proud of him 🥰

Could not get a picture of the wrigglers. He was not having it and I did not want to stick the endoscope in and frighten or stress him since this is his first clutch. 
Finally got a good picture of Honeysuckle. 

HAPPY ADVENTURES.. TRY SOMETHING NEW 

[Biotope Biologist]

On 6/2/2022 at 3:55 AM, Guppysnail said:

 

Even with the warning the isopods will eat my polka dot plants I put them in anyway.  ) 

 

 

I missed this! My polka dot plant is thriving despite the predation from the isopods and slugs! I hope yours does too… gorgeous setup! 🥰

 

Also happy spawning! Hopefully they are successful parents.

 

 

[Guppysnail]

Good but incredibly sad news. 

Due to Lefty developing an egg belly I had to pair her with Angel in the 29 guppy tank. This means babies that became cave wrigglers yesterday.  The guppy tank is going to be hard pressed to support 2 adult BN plus guppies shrimp and a snail.  Definitely not ideal but doable without crowding. I relocated the snail to the guppy boy tank. I can handle the excess maintenance on the 29 so all will be well.  I will have to move the babies out early in order to provide enough food for them.

Where to put them…😧

The funny tank is back🙄 but it’s only 9 gallons so won’t hold them long. I put some of the Salvinia minima in and the 6 tiny sprigs of duckweed I’m nursing which has so far produced no new duckweed.  Am I  the only person on the planet who has never been able to grow duckweed. 🙄🤨  This will be attempt 5.  I only have egg crate for a lid on this one and turned the air down.  I also corralled the floaters so they don’t get wet. It would be so nice to have a true nitrate hog to assist the pothos. Of course baby shrimp hitched a ride on the sponge filters. 
 Tulip and Honeysuckle are corydora egg eaters  I also noticed with the high energy of those tanks they both hide more than I’m comfortable with.  They are both currently in the guppy girl grow out which won’t support 2 males without squabbles. Tulip insists both caves and logs are his.  Honeysuckle hides  😕

This is the only tank that can support the baby BN to grow out in a manor I’m not always nervous. I have chosen to find homes for them both.  Because Lucky is unconfirmed sex but I suspect female she needs to go with one of the boys.  She is doing marvelous and I swear grows daily.  I spend at least 30 minutes every day with Lucky.  That one is truly going to break my heart.

I found a home with a lady who has a 55 gallon tank for Honeysuckle.  She is in love with him and as soon as I said yes she order him a cave and an extra piece of wood that had spots he could hide under. So he will have a very good life and be loved.  
HONEYSUCKLE
Another person has a large tank with several females he needs a male for. Tulip has been showing off fanning skills since the day after he was moved to this tank. He also struts all over showing off….way too cute 🥰  So he is the boy for the job. I explained the Lucky situation and he is willing to take her (?him?) as well.  
TULIP

LUCKY

I knew when I put each boy in a 20L it was not ideal but I was willing to do the maintenance for them I fell so in love with them.  This will be a better fuller life for them.  
 

Lefty has made herself right at home with Angel. She seems very happy.

HAPPY ADVENTURES…TRY SOMETHING NEW
.

 

 

[Guppysnail]

Forgot to turn the canister flow up and plug the hob back in last night after frozen brine shrimp feeding. Woke up to Pygmy eggs all over the front glass. 
THINGS I LEARNED COLLECTING

pygmy eggs are not as sticky as panda eggs

my pygmy eggs collecting skills need work 🤣

Finally had some success collecting a few using my coral feeder vs credit card. 

HAPPY ADVENTURES…try something new