The time had come, the tank was now fully cycled. Time to get my first shoal of fish.
Figure 1 – a typical harlequin fish, image from Diario de un copépodo
I have chosen to keep Trigonostigma heteromorpha, better known as Harlequin Fish, however some might know them as Rasbora Heteromorpha. They are no longer considered part of the Rabora genus due to body shape and breeding technique differences.
My local fish shop had some young (9-10 week old) T. heteromorpha, all looked lively and full of energy, albeit smaller as they still have a long way to grow. I took five (for £10).
Figure 2 – keeping down the stress levels by storing the fish in a thermal bag, in the dark during transport home
I carefully introduced them to their new home, aquarium lights off, 20 minutes in the bag, introducing the tank water into the bags gradually. Four out of the five immediately started exploring the tank, one was a little shy and hid in the corner of the tank near a rock. I was a little worried, but I needn’t have, ten minutes later, he/she had joined the rest of the shoal and looked much happier.
Figure 3 – Shoal of five Trigonostigma heteromorpha get used to their new home
Next week, if the water testing goes okay, I will be adding another species of fish.
Martin
