naturalart wrote:Hello GF, been out of town on family emergency. But Congrats! on moving your fish into their new and improved quarters! How exciting! Now they're in an appropriate home for their present size. And, eventually, less work for you.
Naturalart.... Hi!
Much welcome back, I've missed your dulcet digitals in the thread. Hope your family is alright. Things are going good here I think. Today's the first day the parameters have gone down in both N02 & N04 (do I have that right) Am/Ni? They are almost "0" both, to the same degree. The N03 is a weak .10 and moving slowly. So I'm encouraged. Am I correct in interpreting these levels to mean that the biofilter is working now but is still weak and strengthening slowly? It sure is easier on Nui and Li'i. Though most noticeable in Nui... Li'i's activity may slow down but not much. Nui on the other hand begins to have to be creative about his oxygen intake. He places himself upside down at the surface by the filter. This happened only once, I'd let it go too long at 0.25. Though Andy said .25 would be okay (I think he meant that very temporarily) Nui isn't. Perhaps he's more sensitive or weakened in that way due to his time in the bad water. So much is left to the imagination.
And while I say Li'i isn't affected... her poor little gills are now deformed because of that same bad water. Deformed gills may be easily lived with I don't know. It reminds me of my doctors saying I don't need my gallbladder or pancreas. Then why did Creation put them there, why did Creation make their gills to overlay the intake area and lay flat. Nui's are deformed as well, the curling has never lessened.
naturalart wrote:I wouldn't panic on the gravel. Take your time and get the substrate you want. You will soon have enough bacteria for the cycling without substrate. Adding the substrate of your choice will be an added bonus. Hopefully you will chose nice, natural colored, smooth sand or fine gravel. Nui will enjoy digging/mouthing through it for food. It will add a 'behavioral enhancement' to his everday routine. IMHO Li'i doesn't care as much about sand or gravel. 'she' just wants to suck and rasp hard surfaces for algea/detritus. Li'i is not a catfish, per se, 'she' is closer to the loach group. 'she' doesn't float because like most loaches and plecos, she lives in areas of high water movement. It saves energy if one can stay close to the bottom and latch onto something rather then have to swim against a fast current.
I've settled on sand... I called the DIYstore as recommended and found they have the smooth playground sand for under $8.00 per 40 lbs. I was planning on getting two bags. I need to go back in the thread to find out what it was that I was told regarding the amount I'd need. I also want to call the store again and speak with another employee to make sure I'm clear. I'm still having issues with the post concussive thing, really need to double check myself. I've been doing weird things and having memory lapses. I think that the one guy I spoke to told me that one bag of this sand or 40 lbs would provide 0.50 of 1'sq (1sq'). I think the tank is 48"x12"x18" which would equal... mm 4'sq (four square feet) so one bag would give me..mm ooh ONly 1.50" or 3" using all of both bags. Do I have that right... If I do I'm really proud of myself I did it without Scott. Perhaps I need 3 bags?
I am so looking forward to having a good substrate in there for Nui. I know Li'i doesn't care it's very obvious she cares about little but her algae which she is lacking for a time now and security. Which is fine, she's a lovely little being. One more thing about Li'i... that I've been considering. She's put on so very much weight since we've had
her. She eats wafter though and she poops like a machine so she's working okay. But when we got her she had definite signs of starvation with a coke bottle figure and concave stomach. I had thought the tank they were in was stuffed with algae. But maybe it wasn't algae. You or Jools/Mats told me what i found in the filter wasn't algae but sludge. Was it sludge in the tank too? I'd really be interested in knowing this... for Nui as well. If it was sludge I'd like to find out how that impacts or impacted them? And are there other possible issues to consider.
You wrote "It will add a 'behavioral enhancement' to his everday routine." This is really important I think... if Nui needs anything that appears obvious to me right now, it is exactly what you are speaking of. It is clear he needs
more to life than what he has, than what I'm giving him, than what I've been able to give him thus far. And Li'i in there helps for the time being... but we must add to this tank a life for Nui. I realize this and have a very strong desire to do so. I'm just unable to do it quickly. One of my doctors called in sick tomorrow so I'm going to the other side next Wed now.
Another set back
Oh, I've gotten Catappa leaves and found I need to really search around to find the right tree. Some just aren't as ? a good quality as others? Depending on their location. Salt air can really take a toll on things, like leaves. Right now I have a nice batch, fresh fallen to the ground which need to dry out now. Then I'll be able to use them. I think he's going to like these. I also have some of that plant... It's been sitting in water which I change now and then. Do you think I could put it in the tank now after its been in still water though.
Meaning out of the aquarium environment?
naturalart wrote:If you're determined to get other synos as partners for Nui, why don't you just try 2 more S. eupterus of similar age/size? As discussed earlier. If Nui was older then it would be tricky to add other eup's to the tank. But if he is younger it might be worth a try. Just my opinion. These cats can be relatively, social.
I like this idea. I've liked it since the first time you raised it. I love it in fact. It's just that as I began venturing out and looking at other Syno's they remind me of Nui but look a little different. I don't know if they can even be in the same tank together. Then when I thought that one might be tiny I thought they might be great to have. That's all. I'm only attached and quite deeply to Euptera at the mo. As far as what the guy who bought them told me and given all the weirdness I think we can safely say Nui is under 4 years old... well what do you think?
He had him for two years and he was 2" when he got him. He told me he doubled in size so bought "a bigger tank" (%$#@%$). But when I got Nui, and I didn't use a ruler to his body, i just put my hand to the glass next to him, he was around 7" with his tail. Was the guy measuring his tail? I don't think so... just a guess tho'. So two years and he doubled... which would make 4" and 2 years with the old man. I got him and his body is over 5". So, we have to ask: 1.) how old was he at 2"; and 2.) how long would it take for him to grow 1" in that tank. The latter takes into account that the guy actually measured him and his numbers were correct. I don't think that's necessarily the case. But I do think he is likely under 3 yrs and definitely under 4.
How would I be able to find two Euptera Nui's age? I'm imagining I need to find someone who had gotten them as babies expecting something different or just wanting something different. Or is is possible to buy them at any age in their younger years? I haven't priced them yet and figure they would be priced differently if older than babies, I just don't know whether it would be less or more. I'm also wondering if they're so readily available that I might be able to find someone I could exchange some dialogue with to find out a little more about them besides their species and age. One thing I think I might like to know, if they are older (not babies) is what type of tank are they coming from or what type of tank and mates are they used to. I'm wanting to find some who are coming from a situation we can improve so that they're happier once they get here. ??? just... a thought. Bottom line, "yes" I want more Euptera with Nui.... And we also talked, Mats and Jools about Ancistrus which we are also very interested in. And now Jools on the next page...
I'll wait till I get there. Would you share more with me about them? And can I see photos of yours? I really want to.
Something else re: Nui... I would really like to know what you think of how he looks? I think he looks a little different than other Euptera I've seen. He's still real sinewy. Is this age or abuse? If I compare him to others like Andy's I get a little worried. Andys've got love handles... They jiggle when they swim... Nah I'm just teasing they're so big though and so healthily well fed. So very beautiful.
naturalart wrote:The local fish shop you found sounds great! I prefer to support local business, particularly when they focus on tropical fish. But remember that you can't take all the 'helps' words as gospel. Even in a dedicated shop there can be misunderstanding/misinterpretations. Try to stay with the scientific terminology (genus/species). Common names can create problems. Always research it yourself as much as possible. I recall reading about a "Honolulu aquarium Society" somewhere. Clubs can be great sources of info and resources.
googolplex
Right. I'll do this. Read up, know my families, names, species terminology first. Havn't found a club yet though did learn much regarding our Catfishes here in the islands. Very sadly they're used as sport fishing (catching 10"-35") and farming and selling for foods (over 60,000 lbs of it! (source:
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/nuuanu.html) I don't know how others here feel about this type of thing. First I was stunned to learn it was such a hugely known thing and then very sad,,,
Again, Glad vf you're back ...
googolpleX,
GF
PS: Please excuse spelling granernr et ogt
so after the change I'm going back to bed. Ah, can't wait. Just so I'm clear between Mats and Andy... i'm doing 50%-60% water changes if needed twice a day. 
Li'i isn't a Catfish is she? You would have said something to me early on if she were. Do you know why they call her species this? 
– (((fun))).
) and see what they have already locally, so shipping can be avoided.
) no.. Im not too biased...
