Another Holiday Surprise

[TwoTankAmin]

yesterday from about 2 pm until 9 pm I spent the time beginning the process of moving my second large 236 group back into its home 75 gal tank which had been emptied to allow for new windows to be installed. This also involved a different scaping which included sand v.s bare bottom and larger but fewer pieces of wood.

I also had to cognizant of any cycling issues. To be safe i swapped some filters and did not move all of the fish. I tested for ammonia about 90 minutes ago and it was 0. I then set up about 85 gals of changing water to begin my water changes etc. I had one bucket with a couple of pieces of smaller wood and a net as well as one half of a split cave. When I went to remove the wood in the bottom of the bucket was a decent sized 236 and several assassin snails and basically a damp bottom with no measurable water. I splashed in water, making a mess, and the pleco began to wiggle. So I ran for a container and began to add water.

I just checked again and it is swimming wound the perimeter and the assassin snails are off their backs and acting snail-like. Soon they will all go into proper tanks. Thank goodness my fish and snails seem to be strong enough to survive my mistakes.

edit: Because there is still only one in holiday- DOH.

[bekateen]

Phew! Lucky you, TTA.

I've had countless times when I've deep cleaned a tank, removing all décor into a plastic bin and later I find one or more baby plecos on the ground (in the bottom of the bin). For this reason, I now always siphon about one inch of water into the bin before adding the wood, caves, etc., so that if any babies do adhere to the decor and fall off, they just drop into the water instead of onto a dry floor.

Cheers, Eric

[TwoTankAmin]

I neglected to mention this was a 2.5 inch fish. I normally do the water in the bucket thing, but this was such an active move I figured anything that fell out I would spot fairly soon. It was a triple move. 236 from two different tanks into a 75, then 173bs from one tank to the smaller tank vacated by some of the 236. The move will not complete until tomorrow. I wanted to space out the stocking to minimize the risk of a cycling related spike.

I just have too many fish

[bekateen]

I just have too many fish

I feel so sad for you... If I can ever get out your way, I'd be happy to sacrifice myself and relieve you of your burden.

Merry Christmas,
Eric

[Fundulopanchax76]

Twotankamin would you make me present for Christmas - some 236 fry ?

[TwoTankAmin]

@Fundulopanchax76

Since I do not ship plecos until they are over 1.5 inch (3.81 cm), and since I do not ship internationally, I can only give you some fry if you can pick them up in person.

[Fundulopanchax76]

I was kidding ! lol Excuse me !

[TwoTankAmin]

It looks like the surprises keep coming. On my way out to my fish space in our other building. I ran a quick set of cave checks in the main house first. There was nothing of interest in the 236 tank and not a single cave in the zebra tank was even occupied. The last stop was the wc 173 tank. The right half had nothing up but the left half was a lot more interesting.

There were two males deepish in their caves and both were doing the bump bounce boogie. This usually, but not always, means eggs/wigglers are inside as well. They really do make it hard to see the eggs. But I was able to confirm eggs in one cave but not in the other. But that other cave was the one where I had the last spawn. I am hoping this turns out to be a double. I am also seeing a very fat fm lurking.

We have had a lot of rain and occasionally snow recently. Plus I have been feeding a lot of frozen and Repashy. But maybe Santa had something to do with it. I will find out shortly as there are 5 breeder tanks in the fish space where I am heading after I hit submit.

[bekateen]

Nice happy new year present!

Cheers, Eric

[TwoTankAmin]

Confirmed- it is a double - the first in this tank as far as I know.

[TwoTankAmin]

The yin and yang of fish keeping never seems to leave me. Yesterday I removed a 1/2 inch dead fry from the tank. This has been a pretty consistent event for me over the years. New spawns and fish deaths seem to happen in close temporal proximity but usually invole different species in different tanks.