WHAT EATS SCUDS?

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pandagobyguy

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Hi! I have a tank with 4 platies and a hillstream loach. I have recently set up an amphipod (SCUD) tank using native amphipods from a highway side stream. I am interested in feeding my fish scuds if they will eat them but my DT is planted and i do not want a plant eating scud infestation.

Thanks for any advice!
(Worst case is i return the scuds to their home) [or buy a pea puff]
 
Hi! I have a tank with 4 platies and a hillstream loach. I have recently set up an amphipod (SCUD) tank using native amphipods from a highway side stream. I am interested in feeding my fish scuds if they will eat them but my DT is planted and i do not want a plant eating scud infestation.

Thanks for any advice!
(Worst case is i return the scuds to their home) [or buy a pea puff]
Self bump
 
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but Platies and hill stream loaches are not compatible.


http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/sewellia-lineolata/

That flow rate is too strong for Platies.
Ya i have been considering moving them over to a different tank.

The way my current setup is the flow is much greater at the top and back of the tank. The platies seem to actually enjoy swimming between plants when relaxing and swimming through the current when i feed etc. There is a large piece of former dry reef rock which interrupts flow pattern a lot. Along the back wall the flow is strong and, although i do not achieve a completely unidirectional flow throughout the tank, the back wall seems to simulate fast streams enough for my hillstream.

I was conscious of this difference prior to the platy addition (i kept a single platy in a ten gallon and moved him over to see if it would work). I used to have one but have since increased to four (3 females). I run the tank without a heater and a powerhead that is rated at 528 gph (in a 20). But i have kept salt for a long time and i am fairly certain flow rate is closer to the 250 ish range. I have an airstone for added aeration.

Anyway the tank is a year old and i have kept the two fish together successfully. (Just to emphasize, i have heard quite a bit about hillstreams dying stuck to the glass, etc. He is a year old, i assume i would have noticed negative impacts by now) [he has grown a little and no weight loss]
My older platy has been fine for the year. The three new fish were added last month.

I have been debating just making my scud tank a platy tank and if i notice any issues with the platies i will not hesitate to move them.

But anyway, do platies actually eat scuds? (Regardless of what i end up doing with the platies this will be useful info)
 
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Also thanks for the link!
That is far more detailed than the liveaquaria etc. Fish sellers bios that i have seen.

With hillstreams ime there is a huge variety of info and care requirements. Like the fish lore and live aquaria page states that hot aquariums will kill hillstreams and your link states that it is tolerant of heat. Also there are discrepancies on diet.
Your link states that they eat biofilms.
Another states it eats aufwuchs which grow on the algae.
Fish lore says it specifically prefers diatom algae [are diatoms considered a biofilm? I thought biofilm was bacteria] (which has actually proven true in my case).
One states it needs clean water the other states it is hardy but to avoid water coloration for maximum algae growth. Another say any nitrate build up at all will kill it.

I also see tank sizes ranging from 30-55g. I have also read when breeding a 10 g is sufficient. I keep mine in a 20 with medium flow and aeration.

I always find it funny when the internet tells you so many varying things. I think at this point i may just accept that my current method is sufficient and be happy.
 
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Sorry to keep adding but i figure i shoulf cite my sources in case anyone would like to confirm the info (or if i missed something):
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariummagazine/sept08/hillstream-loach.htm
http://m.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+885+3003&pcatid=3003
https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co...-hillstream-and-brook-loaches-in-the-aquarium
http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/caresheets/caresheet.php?caresheetID=60

Also for what its worth my species most closely resembles the fish lore sp. In appearance

I don't want to mistreat my fish but i also know the internet is a very diverse place. I am very open to more opinions (even if it is just confirmation that i shouldn't keep these two in the same tank) and i definitely would like to get as much info/input as possible (even if it is contradictory).
 
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