Care of Hara jerdoni

[vriesea]

To all:

I just aquired a pair of Hara jerdoni from my local fish club. I bought them as Hara Hara but after looking at pictures of the two I am very sure they are Hara jerdoni.

I need some help on the care of these cats.

They are currently in a 20 long growout tank. The temperature is set at 27C. Using a gravel substrate that barely covers the tank bottom. The tank has two potted annubius. and a large piece of drift wood. PH is around 7.8, Total Disolved Solids measures around 68ppm. There are two filters a Penguin 200 (wet/dry), and a submerged fluval 2+. The fluval's full output stream is directed on the tank bottom simulating a river movement. Tank mates are 8 bristlenose, about 3/4 inches in length.

My current food plan is to provide shrimp pellets, tetracolor granules, earthworm sticks, and occassional tublifex worms. They will also have the opportunity to feed on food that the BN do not eat.

Would appreciate your comments on this setup and menu.

Can I increase the temperature, from 27C to 30C, to increase the metabolism? Should I be concerned with the mimimal substrate? Is the strong flow a concern?

Thanks ahead of time for your comments,

Happy hobbying ,
Vriesea

[Silurus]

I don't think you should increase the temperature at all, seeing that your current temperature (27°C) is probably already a little too high.

[kim m]

You could also check out Adrian Taylors site http://www.hillstreamcatfish.com

He has done some work with these and similar species

[Richard B]

They would benefit from a sand substrate as opposed to gravel

[derekw]

I have two pair myself. they are in a 20 long which they love. I keep them in a bare bottom and feed them live foods any will do. I was told by the person who spawned them that they lay there eggs in java moss. He said you will know when they are ready to spawn the male will turn orange in color.My tank in loaded with moss.I keep my temp at 75◦. They are feed live food everyday.