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Armored catfish invade winter refuge for manatees
Posted: 26 Dec 2005, 09:39
by Jools
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
Posted: 26 Dec 2005, 11:47
by coelacanth
I wonder if the Pink-breasted Manatee from the Amazon is used as a feeding substrate for Loricariids in the wild?
Posted: 26 Dec 2005, 18:53
by bronzefry
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
Posted: 29 Dec 2005, 00:07
by Radius
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!
Posted: 29 Dec 2005, 00:52
by Grubby Sculpin
So what you are saying is that I need a young manatee in my tank so that my plecos will thrive???
Posted: 29 Dec 2005, 16:39
by bronzefry
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.
Posted: 30 Dec 2005, 10:45
by Jools
Well, here's a pic I took of one a while back. Good eating on the dorsal surface if you're a pleco!
Jools
Posted: 30 Dec 2005, 15:23
by bronzefry
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.
