Armored catfish invade winter refuge for manatees

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 26 Dec 2005, 09:39

Daytona Beach News-Journal - Daytona,FL,USA

As the manatees return to Blue Spring State Park this winter, they're being greeted by the invasive catfish that love them -- or the algae on their skin, anyway ...

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJ ... 122505.htm

Jools

coelacanth · Post by **coelacanth** » 26 Dec 2005, 11:47

I wonder if the Pink-breasted Manatee from the Amazon is used as a feeding substrate for Loricariids in the wild?

bronzefry · Post by **bronzefry** » 26 Dec 2005, 18:53

From what my brother-in-law says, all you have to do is stick a net in the water of any creek and it's like looking at a local fish store.

He's just north of Ft.Myers. I should get him a picture of an L-046.....
Amanda

Radius · Post by **Radius** » 29 Dec 2005, 00:07

Sounds to me like there's a bit of evolution about to happen. Some of the manatees hate them and try to get away while the others don't mind.

I think that could develop into some kind of sembiotic relationship in a hundred generations or so!

Grubby Sculpin · Post by **Grubby Sculpin** » 29 Dec 2005, 00:52

So what you are saying is that I need a young manatee in my tank so that my plecos will thrive???

bronzefry · Post by **bronzefry** » 29 Dec 2005, 16:39

The Mote Aquarium in Sarasota, FL has 2 Manatee and I've seen them. I've also seen Manatees in rivers in the Bradenton area and Cape Coral. Here are the dimensions:
http://isurus.mote.org/~hughbuffett/pag ... meas.phtml

I believe their Manatees are in a 70,000 gallon tank at Mote and eat a lot of lettuce and like their water warm. I think there's a link where you can buy these Manatees lunch.

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 30 Dec 2005, 10:45

Well, here's a pic I took of one a while back. Good eating on the dorsal surface if you're a pleco!

Jools

bronzefry · Post by **bronzefry** » 30 Dec 2005, 15:23

The first time I saw one, not in an aquarium setting, I was standing on the dock in my sister's back yard. It's on a saltwater canal. I looked down, and I swear I saw the Loch Ness Monster!!!

My sister and niece were laughing so hard. The Manatees like to play with the ropes on the docks. I haven't visited there in a while. I need to go back with a net, this time.