Loaches Online Forum

Hi Emma - I've used both the sponge filter foams and the Aquaclear foams over the powerhead intake. My experience was that the black sponge filter foams (like the one in your pic) was too fine a foam and got bunged up quickly - at one point after about a week of having it on, the motor got louder as a result of the foam clogging up.

Just my experience, but I also think my heavier bioload could also have made a bigger impact.

I've very much enjoyed watching your little guys develop - the difference from what they started out as has been amazing. Great photography, thank you for sharing them.

Cheers,
Laura

I'd agree with the better safe than sorry course. I'd miss the saga

I also agree with Laura that the black filter foam is more likely to clog and I've had great success with the aquaclear HOB foam over intakes when raising angelfish fry. They take a long time to clog up and diffuse the suction enough that the day old fry could swim by them without getting stuck. They had to swim hard, but I'd imagine that angelfish fry are less sturdy than your hillstreams are.

Lovely development's.

Loach fry update 22/08/2006:

I'm finding it more and more difficult to photograph these little chaps since adding a bit more decor to the tank. Once they see me approaching with the camera, they're off! I did manage to get these few though.....









You can see from that underside shot that they are filling out widthways rather than lengthways at the moment.

Emma

Cool underneath shot!! They are certainly growing in width.

Ahhhh! I feel better now

Know you've been busy hosting all those Britts (and former Britts) but I was missing the updates on the babies. They do grow so fast. Pretty soon they'll be all grown up and making families of their own

Yes, they certainly are getting broader in the beam. Its amazing just how much they have changed since you discovered them. I never would have thought they would grow up to be Sewellia judging from the first pics.

Update 25/08/2006:

I moved the decor around a little bit in the baby tank today, whilst doing a water change and 'snail eviction'. As a result, I've managed to get a few more piccies which I thought I'd share.





This may give an idea of scale. I was removing some of the snails, and this little chap more than stood his ground! Whenever my hand got near, he'd fiercly raise his dorsal fin, and was determined not to move!




A darker specimen, resting against the black background:




Hope you liked them,

Emma

Superb!! I love the way, they are starting to develop a attitude!!

Careful, Emma. When the fin goes up, you know it's trouble! Great shot.

They are getting a bit "uppity" aren't they? Must be all the attention they are getting. Can we expect the same from Marge?

Jim Powers wrote:They are getting a bit "uppity" aren't they? Must be all the attention they are getting. Can we expect the same from Marge?

Oooooh yes! Marge is a gentle giant for most of the time, but if someone really annoys her, you get a face full of barbels and big flappin' fins :




Emma

are there any photographs anywhere of large clowns from the wild? are they so deep? Marge is totally gutsy.

did you take away her prawns?

they are great pics. its nice to see your babies getting characters

Hi Emma,

I'm just being curious, have you checked your filters again? It would be very interesting to get an idea of how frequently swellias spawn and compare this to other hillstream loaches.