Journal 5.8 Gallon Licorice Gourami Home

[gnatster]

Let's try again.

The focus of the tank has changed. After months of searching for an Alien Copper or Blue Betta, I've come to the realization that, besides being hard to find, the acquisition cost doesn't make sense to me. The theme is the same, the star attraction has changed.

About 2 months ago, I added 10 Red Chili Rasbora.

A stand of Tiger ‘Blood’ Crypts was added, replacing the Anacharis that was used from startup. I've now replaced all of the babysitter plants. Buce trimming from other projects has been stuffed into rock cracks, and all are sprouting new leaves. I'm finding that holding emmersed clumps on lava rock in humid environments and using cuttings in established tanks have given me the best results. TC has melted every time, leaving ugly, gnarled lower sections before coming back.

Last week, 3 Strawberry Licorice Gouramis were added.

 

[Count Krunk]

How dark are you going to have it be? Those fish are very cool. Quick read said they are challenging. Is that still the case today?

 

[gnatster]

How dark are you going to have it be? Those fish are very cool. Quick read said they are challenging. Is that still the case today?

I need to change the title; the focus has changed.

I've been slowly adding in botanicals. a new item every week or so. Your question made me realize I've forgotten to remove the purigen. oops.

The gouramis have not been challenging. They all ate a live baby brine a day after being introduced. They've been eating live and frozen baby brine shrimp, frozen daphnia, and a variety of really small pellet food. They each have their own territory until feeding time comes along. At first, they flared at their reflections in the glass; that activity has stopped. So far, they've ignored the shrimp.

 

[gnatster]

Update time: it's been 55 days.

Chili Rasboras - Started with 10 in mid-February. There are 7 remaining. All have great color, they school nicely until feeding time when it's every fish for themselves. I plan on adding a few more.

Strawberry Licorice Gouramis - Added in late March. All 3 are doing well; one has dull coloration, and the other 2 have colored up nicely. I can't tell the gender; they may still be too young.

Shrimp - They have been dwindling. If put nigh on 30 Red Pinto over time in this tank to no avail. No eggs, they've all appeared to be males. Lots of fighting and noticed instances of cannibalism. I'll be replacing them with a different variety from a different source.

The plants are all growing slowly compared to the high light, CO2-fed 60S. I've been trying to trim the Rotala rotundifilia ‘Orange Juice’ to be bush-like. A lot more practice is required.

Planted a stand of Tiger ‘Blood’ Crypts back in March. New growth has a lot more green in the leaves. Added a root tab about a month ago, since then, I've seen more of the reddish color in some leaves.

The terrarium with stupid-expensive Jungle Star and Stardust Mini Anubias was doing poorly. Probably bit off a bit too much for my first attempt. Took them and some Green Bell Buce from the same tank and popped them in this one. They are all recovering. Other assorted Buce trimmings have been added too. I'm thinking it's time to trim some of the original Buce back too. I'm running out of places to put them. Good thing I water-tested a UNS 30A today. I'm hoping to find the time this week to set that up.

I stopped testing anything other than TDS at water change time to match months ago. Trying to rely on my eyes and prodigious gut. So far so good.

Pictures:

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• gnatster
• Yesterday at 9:51 PM

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• gnatster
• Yesterday at 9:51 PM

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• gnatster
• Yesterday at 9:51 PM

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• gnatster
• Yesterday at 9:51 PM

 

[JayP]

The plants are all growing slowly compared to the high light, CO2-fed 60S. I've been trying to trim the Rotala rotundifilia ‘Orange Juice’ to be bush-like. A lot more practice is required.

I love the look of Rotala OJ but also haven't been able to get that nice bushy appearance, no matter how densely I plant or how I trim. I think it's because it's one of the few Rotalas that's prefers to just grow tall and straight. I might replace it in my Brazilian tank with a red Rotala that grows more crazy like my Rotala Green.