For a few weeks, I’d managed to be patient and hold out for the white spot to go, and then a big algae bloom which started as a result of my re-plumbing of the disk-air-stone which meant that quite a lot of dissolved plant food tablet got circulated into the water.
I had:
- 6 Copper (Lamb Chop) Harlequins
- 8 Cardinal Tetra (five were replaced due to the dreaded whitespot :-()
- 1 Flying fox
I’d originally only purchased the air-stone to augment the oxygen supply in the water that the protozin white spot treatment would remove. However, I quite liked the beading effect it produces on the plants and rocks. The fish, I’m sure, are not too bothered by the increase in oxygen it provides.
Figure 1 – My tank with permanent air stone in place
The leopard danio (Danio frankei) has always been one of my favourites. I went the the local fish shop to purchase the common short finned variety that you see for sale in almost every fish shop. They actually had three types, the glow light, the long finned and the short finned. In the end, I preferred the look of the long finned variety. I don’t have anything in my community tank that would nip fins, so they were a safe choice.
I purchased six (for £6) which makes them a very frugal purchase. Danio frankei, is a spotted colour morph of the Zebra Danio (Danio rerio) caused by a pigment mutation.
Figure 2 – a long finned leopard danio (picture from animal-world.com)
Figure 3- Leopard danio in my tank… my camera wasn’t up to the job due the speed at which these fish swim.
Not long after introducing them to their new home, the flying fox (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus) was out and about defending his territory. I guess they are similar size and colour, so this is expected behaviour.
Further reading on oxygen in water:
Bubbles on plants
Aquarium Bubbles
Martin
