BN in my filter??

pLaurent1251 · Post by **pLaurent1251** » 02 Jan 2008, 06:17

So I hadn't seen my newest baby BN since yesterday morning. Figured it was hiding in the many plants, driftwood, etc.

Tonight I tore my tank apart. No BN. Finally took my filter apart and there it was, thank goodness.

I have a Penguin Bio-wheel and the BN must have gone up through the outflow.

Now I realize what must have happened to my last albino BN. But I never found it.

Is this a common activity? What would make it do this? I do have another, bigger BN in the tank as well. Right now I've taken out the wheel and stuffed the opening with filter floss. I don't like doing this, since many of the other fish like the current.

Is there any other solution?

Post by **Birger** » 02 Jan 2008, 06:53

This is not uncommon at all, I use mostly aquaclear filters, the fry either go in the outflow or can even squeeze through the screen on the intake tube. If I know there will be fry I will drop the water level so they can not swim in the outflow and will cover the intake and drill small holes higher in the tube...I always seem to have extra intake tubes around, I also always have a foam filter in the tank at the same time with fry.

What would make it do this

It does not bother them to make the journey through the fast water and I think this is the most oxygen rich part of the tank which they would enjoy.

Birger

Matien · Post by **Matien** » 02 Jan 2008, 06:58

Hi,

I agree with Birger, that is not uncommon.

Your baby BN needs hidding place where it can be/feel safe. It can be plants, stones or roots.

You can put it back in the tank, and try to improve your layout to make it feel safer.

By the way, how big is the baby?

See you,
Matien

pLaurent1251 · Post by **pLaurent1251** » 02 Jan 2008, 12:59

Thanks. Well, it's not that small a baby I guess. About 1 1/4".

I see your point about enjoying the strong current while getting into the filter and this filter does have a lip that would make it easier for it to enter. I figured I can block access with a piece of plastic craft canvas

It has hiding places galore in this tank:

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 02 Jan 2008, 13:13

It is also likely that the fish is actually looking for food - they will eat the "gunk" in the filter - as apparent when I've had bits of "gunk" escaping into the tank.

--
Mats

Mike_Noren · Post by **Mike_Noren** » 02 Jan 2008, 18:41

Ancistrus, especially the larvae, seem to like strong current. When my BN's kick out their young the larvae tend to gather in a swarm just where the outflow from two strong pumps hit the glass. They flutter in the current with their heads against the stream, which make them look a bit like those little pieces of string used in windtunnels.

Basically, I think they seek out the strongest current they can find - and that may be the effluent of a pump.

apistomaster · Post by **apistomaster** » 02 Jan 2008, 22:41

It is easy to lower the water level below the out flow and use a sponge or media bag as a pre-filter over the intake. No BN fry can pass these barriers.

pLaurent1251 · Post by **pLaurent1251** » 03 Jan 2008, 00:30

It is easy to lower the water level below the out flow and use a sponge or media bag as a pre-filter over the intake.

I'll do just that, thanks. My filter is nearly new, so quite un-gunky and I'm glad I found this little guy before he starved! I feel guilty enough about the previous one I didn't find.

[mod edit: Fix quote tags --Mats]