Recent content by gwand

Tell me what kind of tank needs weekly vacs where the fish are not over fed?

I use to gravel vac weekly during water change. But now many of my tanks have fry and I thought leaving the mulm and decaying plant matter provides a good food source for the fry. It also encourages emergence of paramecium and other single cell organisms providing yet another food source...

Wow. What fish were tank mates with your Xenotoca?

I think the cave fish tend to be novel since it is a habitat only relatively recently explored.

Xenotoca doidrioi. A pair.

What fish did you receive from Wet Spot?

It was 80F so I ordered fish from Dan. Next week when the fish arrive the temperature will range between 20-30F. Just can’t win.

In parthenogenesis the offspring gets all of its DNA from the mother, but it is not always an exact genetic copy. Because egg cells are produced through Meiosis, genetic recombination can occur, so the offspring may differ genetically from the mother. A cloned animal has an exact genetic copy...

I have a new RODI system. I have created two black water 20 gallon long tanks. When is a good time to replace the cartridges? I’m assuming when the water TDS reaches around 20 ppm. Recommendations?

My local fish store with 700 plus tanks offers common and unique selection of fish, both tank raised and wild caught. The manager sadly admitted to me that they make their profit selling the glo fish and other novelty fish. He said, “that’s what the people want“.

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/sex-skipping-fish-hacks-evolution-gene

Here is surprising information I found on rooibos tea. Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) does contain tannins, but the levels are significantly lower than those found in traditional "true" teas like black or green tea (Camellia sinensis). While the deep reddish-brown color of brewed rooibos...

Tannins (polyphenolic compounds) lower pH by releasing hydrogen ions, but they also possess distinct biochemical mechanisms that inhibit or kill microorganisms even in well-buffered water where the pH remains stable.

The lion lays down with the lamb