46g Weekly Photo Journal

I moved one of my sword plants to the back and moved a few more branches around. Happier with this.
Also, tiny cory on top of the sword. Blip is so little.

 

I got two of these guys, Twigbranch is my subadult male and Tree is my juvenile female. Twigbranch is the larger of the two.

Tree is on the upper left, Twigbranch on the lower right. They can grow to 9 inches long. Twigbranch is about 6.5 inches now and Tree is just nearing 4 inches (she was 3 inches when I got her a week ago)
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Twigbranch compared to my handView attachment 644713

Tree compared to my handView attachment 644714

They are farlowella vittata, generically called "twig catfish" or "farlowella catfish". There are many similar species of farlowella, mine are the vittata species which is the most common. Theyre similar to plecos (they have sucker mouths and spend their time clinging to the glass or driftwood. These guys prefer tall thin branches set vertically in the tank.

They are a vegetarian species, feeding mostly on algae, supplemented with algae wafers and vegetables. They are a very delicate fish, many people struggle to keep them alive. They don't handle large water changes well but also need to have very very clean water. Smaller more frequent water changes are better for them and they need a very mature tank to be added to.

They can potentially live 15+ years if you can get them to thrive in your tank. Many times they are out competed for food.

Mine are named after Warriors characters, if anyone reads them and have read the newer sagas.
Editing in some other angles of them:
Twigbranch
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TreeView attachment 644717
BothView attachment 644718
BothView attachment 644715

Oh I saw them before in your pics in different angle lol. When look from their belly/bottom. I don’t get it why they called twig. I am so weird, I always like algae eater, I like how they can hang on things with theirs mouths lol.
I think if I can have lot of them in the tank without any other fish, that must be cool like they are hanging around chatting.
By the way, I am planing to get my sons some black Bristol board, when you told me what you used as the black ground, I didn’t know what it was, I saw lot of fun art people used them for. Look fun for my kids, age

 

Oh I saw them before in your pics in different angle lol. When look from their belly/bottom. I don’t get it why they called twig. I am so weird, I always like algae eater, I like how they can hang on things with theirs mouths lol.
I think if I can have lot of them in the tank without any other fish, that must be cool like they are hanging around chatting.
By the way, I am planing to get my sons some black Bristol board, when you told me what you used as the black ground, I didn’t know what it was, I saw lot of fun art people used them for. Look fun for my kids, age

If you decide to try out twig catfish (theyre named that because they look like sticks, they blend in and hide), you should make sure the tank has been running for a long time, many months so they have at least biofilm to eat. House them with peaceful fish only. Danios can be iffy because they will out eat them.

These guys are mostly nocturnal, mostly out at night. During the day they will rest hiding on branches. They need branches of driftwood, not logs. They are shy. Best either to keep them single or as a pair (two males may fight, but not violent as theyre docile fish). Minimum size tank is 29 gallons, though some breeders breed them in 20g. Because they don't really move around a lot.

They don't swim well, they mostly hop around from place to place and theyre slow. There should be enough space for them to be able to access perches. Tall strong plants are appreciated, like Amazon swords, anubias, or java ferns. They will sometimes hang out on the leaves or stems of these plants.

I would not wipe the back wall of the tank down, because they graze on the glass. It keeps a food source for them.

You should also grow algae for them in another tank if you don't want soft algae in your own tank. Have a small glass container (aerated with an air pump), a rock or piece of driftwood inside, and have bright light shining on it 18 hours a day to grow algae. Have more than one inside so you can switch them out and feed as needed.

Hang steamed veggies like zucchinI or cucumber on the sides of the tank or on driftwood after you turn out the lights, and remove in the morning.

I never have to clean my glass in my 46g. Not even the front. The twig cats keep it very clean.

Theyre really cool fish, BUT they don't do much for action. Most of the day they sit in one spot.

They need really oxygenated water, so be sure to always have an air pump or two going and a good current.

Sand is a more ideal substrate for them, but they aren't *always* on the bottom, so as long as the gravel is kept vacuumed regularly itd be alright. Just keep smooth gravel.

They won't do well in a perfectly scrubbed clean sterile aquarium. Algae is your friend if you keep these fish, as its their main food source.


There are similar fish, called "royal farlowella" which look close to these guys, but are in another family and are easier to keep.

Some videos of my two...

 

If you decide to try out twig catfish (theyre named that because they look like sticks, they blend in and hide), you should make sure the tank has been running for a long time, many months so they have at least biofilm to eat. House them with peaceful fish only. Danios can be iffy because they will out eat them.

These guys are mostly nocturnal, mostly out at night. During the day they will rest hiding on branches. They need branches of driftwood, not logs. They are shy. Best either to keep them single or as a pair (two males may fight, but not violent as theyre docile fish). Minimum size tank is 29 gallons, though some breeders breed them in 20 gallon. Because they don't really move around a lot.

They don't swim well, they mostly hop around from place to place and theyre slow. There should be enough space for them to be able to access perches. Tall strong plants are appreciated, like Amazon swords, anubias, or java ferns. They will sometimes hang out on the leaves or stems of these plants.

I would not wipe the back wall of the tank down, because they graze on the glass. It keeps a food source for them.

You should also grow algae for them in another tank if you don't want soft algae in your own tank. Have a small glass container (aerated with an air pump), a rock or piece of driftwood inside, and have bright light shining on it 18 hours a day to grow algae. Have more than one inside so you can switch them out and feed as needed.

Hang steamed veggies like zucchinI or cucumber on the sides of the tank or on driftwood after you turn out the lights, and remove in the morning.

I never have to clean my glass in my 46 gallon. Not even the front. The twig cats keep it very clean.

Theyre really cool fish, BUT they don't do much for action. Most of the day they sit in one spot.

They need really oxygenated water, so be sure to always have an air pump or two going and a good current.

Sand is a more ideal substrate for them, but they aren't *always* on the bottom, so as long as the gravel is kept vacuumed regularly itd be alright. Just keep smooth gravel.

They won't do well in a perfectly scrubbed clean sterile aquarium. Algae is your friend if you keep these fish, as its their main food source.


There are similar fish, called "royal farlowella" which look close to these guys, but are in another family and are easier to keep.

Some videos of my two...

Wow, I can grow algae without buying!!!! Dang I just purchased lol some for my clams, since I have so much I don’t think algae will last.
What ph you grow algae in other tank? Does it need heater? Wow! I like the idea that you bring them for buffet restaurant (algae tank) and let them go home.

 

Wow, I can grow algae without buying!!!! Dang I just purchased lol some for my clams, since I have so much I don’t think algae will last.
What ph you grow algae in other tank? Does it need heater? Wow! I like the idea that you bring them for buffet restaurant (algae tank) and let them go home.

I take the algae rocks or branches out and put them in the main tank and put them back when its gone. The algae tank is just a little bowl with an air pump. No heater. Bright light shined right on it.

Water in the tank is just dechlorinated tap water, with extra Seachem Flourish dosed in it to speed up algae growth. The Flourish isn't necessary but I use it.

My pH is 7.8-8, I naturally have high pH in our tap water.

You could even leave a few rocks in a glass bowl or jar in the window if you get enough sun. Or outside if you live somewhere warm year round.

 

I take the algae rocks or branches out and put them in the main tank and put them back when its gone. The algae tank is just a little bowl with an air pump. No heater. Bright light shined right on it.

Water in the tank is just dechlorinated tap water, with extra Seachem Flourish dosed in it to speed up algae growth. The Flourish isn't necessary but I use it.

My pH is 7.8-8, I naturally have high pH in our tap water.

You could even leave a few rocks in a glass bowl or jar in the window if you get enough sun. Or outside if you live somewhere warm year round.

Thank you. Do I need to do any water change?

 

Thank you. Do I need to do any water change?

I dont, I just top it off if it evaporates.

 

I opened a thread for my other tanks, in case followers here are interested

Noodle's Other Tanks | Members Fish Tanks 433567

Since as much work goes into this one, it is not my only tank

 

I moved the swords slightly, and added a second light. Thinking my plants aren't getting quite enough light so some are growing weird.

My rescue cories are doing fantastic. Their fin rot is clearing up and they've coloured up well. The tiny one has filled out even more too.



And the one missing the fin is growing back some of the fin, whatever thin tissue she can. The spine, not so much.



No one digs more than my weitzmanI

^both farlowella in this photo on the same branch.

Busy cories!

 

Tiny cory Blip is still so little and thin, but hes doing so well.



Twigbranch on my sword plant

Tree. Shes doing good, but Twigbranch is definitely the dominant of the two. He will boot her from a spot if he wants it. Lol


Oh, and the container in the tank this week... a baby ghost shrimp. I gravel vac'd the tank with my shrimp and in the waste water I found this tiny guy. So got him nice and safe in a floating container until he grows. Fingers crossed for success this time. Hes already had a molt so that's good news.

 

Not much to update for change this week I don't think.
Though I ripped out all of the tall grass, I found some new shoots growing. So that's sorta funny. Itll grow just to die again I guess.

The cories were very busy this morning, as usual. Stirred up quite a bit of debris though.








Bonus video of the cories in action

 

Tiny cory Blip is still so little and thin, but hes doing so well.
View attachment 646427

Twigbranch on my sword plant View attachment 646428
Tree. Shes doing good, but Twigbranch is definitely the dominant of the two. He will boot her from a spot if he wants it. LolView attachment 646429

Oh, and the container in the tank this week... a baby ghost shrimp. I gravel vac'd the tank with my shrimp and in the waste water I found this tiny guy. So got him nice and safe in a floating container until he grows. Fingers crossed for success this time. Hes already had a molt so that's good news.
View attachment 646430

So cute when they were eating cucumbers
Hope ghost shrimp baby is doing well. Definitely so tiny, how lucky you saw and rescued it.

 

View attachment 648103
Not much to update for change this week I don't think.
Though I ripped out all of the tall grass, I found some new shoots growing. So that's sorta funny. Itll grow just to die again I guess.

The cories were very busy this morning, as usual. Stirred up quite a bit of debris though.
View attachment 648104View attachment 648105View attachment 648107View attachment 648106View attachment 648112View attachment 648115

Bonus video of the cories in action

I really like how you have such a naturalistic scape!

 

I really like how you have such a naturalistic scape!

No matter how I redo it, it just remains naturally chaotic haha. The fish like it, and I'm starting to finally be happy with how its coming out. Just waiting on some baby swords to grow in, and some new crypt plantings too.

I keep finding new crypts popping up in the right corner where I first had the parent crypt planted. So I move them once they have a good sized leaf and let them have a small piece of a root tab.

 

1. Those pictures are absolutely amazing - what camera are you using? Apologies if you mentioned it somewhere throughout your journal.

2. This is what makes aquarium keeping a thrill - the aquascaping you have done is amazing. Attention to detail or what; you obviously know your stuff and have been doing this for a long long time.
---------------------------

I'd probably eat my dinners in front of that tank, instead of the tv lol.

 

1. Those pictures are absolutely amazing - what camera are you using? Apologies if you mentioned it somewhere throughout your journal.

2. This is what makes aquarium keeping a thrill - the aquascaping you have done is amazing. Attention to detail or what; you obviously know your stuff and have been doing this for a long long time.
---------------------------

I'd probably eat my dinners in front of that tank, instead of the tv lol.

Ah, I just use my cell phone for the photos. Though, I do photography as a hobby! However I lack a short lens for indoor use, so I can't use my good camera yet for photos of the fish. That said, a friend of mine has a short lens for me ill be picking up some time this year, so that will be nice. For now, my Samsung Galaxy A8. That's what I use now. My good camera though is a Nikon. I specialize more in birds and nature photography. Some examples:









Actually, ive been into the hobby seriously for less than a year, though my one year mark is coming up.
This is what I first started out with:

 

Ah, I just use my cell phone for the photos. Though, I do photography as a hobby! However I lack a short lens for indoor use, so I can't use my good camera yet for photos of the fish. That said, a friend of mine has a short lens for me ill be picking up some time this year, so that will be nice. For now, my Samsung Galaxy A8. That's what I use now. My good camera though is a Nikon. I specialize more in birds and nature photography. Some examples:

View attachment 648636
View attachment 648646
View attachment 648647


Actually, ive been into the hobby seriously for less than a year, though my one year mark is coming up.
This is what I first started out with:
View attachment 648642

Those birds are amazing, great shots!!!

 

This week's photo is the first for the year

My plants are a little thinned out since I trimmed some to propagate them in another tank.

I plan on moving the zebras totally out to another tank, for their own good as theyre eating themselves sick while others go hungry if I don't feed extra. So they will be moved to one of my 20s. My coworker is also taking 5 to be friends with her single surviving zebra who is terrorizing her tank lol so everyone wins.

In turn, I will be increasing the black neon tetras to at least 10-12.

Assorted photos of these guys...

 

You have better photos than most of the stores I browse... you should offer your services Very attractive cory and kuhlI pics.

Also is it just me or is that twig spaced out as if it is having a blissful dream? Maybe sandy logs taste like heaven to catfish...

 

You have better photos than most of the stores I browse... you should offer your services Very attractive cory and kuhlI pics.

Also is it just me or is that twig spaced out as if it is having a blissful dream? Maybe sandy logs taste like heaven to catfish...

Ha, I'm pretty sure they always looked spaced out.

One of our cories is always spaced out. Since the day we got her. In the bag she was floating vertically face up we thought she was dead. Nope, just tripping out. She still randomly does it. Will just sit in one spot, not move NOTHING. Not an eye, whisker, gill, fin. And goes on for awhile. Other fish can swim into her and she just sits there spaced out. Shes named Tripp for a reason. I got an older video of it, ill upload it... its something else and shes the only one who does it.

 

If you look close, even her eyes are looking in two different directions!


Edit: found the photo of her in the bag when we first brought her home

 

If you look close, even her eyes are looking in two different directions!


Edit: found the photo of her in the bag when we first brought her home
View attachment 650814

I think you have a fish with a disability. Very inclusive tank that is

 

I think you have a fish with a disability. Very inclusive tank that is

Possibly narcoleptic? Just randomly goes off like dead in a sleep... either way, its amusing and cute.

If she were wild caught (I suspect the trilineatus stock I get from my local stores are, due to the frequency of by-catch mixes, such as my weitzmanI and agassiziI that were mixed in the "julii" at the store), shed have been gobbled up long ago

 

Took in this one-eyed girl aeneus today. Saw her when I went to pick up a new nerite snail since my horned nerite isn't neriting on the algae lol.




Anywho, I couldnt leave her there. Giving her a chance, clean water and good food. Despite the eye shes in good shape compared to the other 3 aeneus I took in last month at least.


Given this... I'm going to be adjusting my stock. 6 of my cories are going to be moved to a 20 gallon where I lack bottom dwellers. Those 6 will be my 3 peppered and 3 trilineatus since they group together the most. These 6 are also my most adaptable and laid back and can handle a new environment.

Remaining in the 46g will be my solo agassizii, 3 weitzmanI (who seem to follow the aeneus), and the 4 aeneus. However, I plan on increasing the aeneus to 6. This will leave room should I ever find some more chance agassiziI or weitzmani.

First plan is to get them in better shape before anyone moves. Two of the aeneus are still making a recovery from their sorry state I took them in with.


I'm a sucker for less than perfect. Most people in my city want "pretty" fish. I like them as individuals. I'm rooting for this girl to thrive. Shes understandably skittish, but in time she should come around I think.

 

Some photos, ill be doing my weekly update probably tomorrow or day after if I get swamped (I work)

This is Blip, the super tiny aeneus. Hes grown a tiny bit.



Blip, compared to Aggy up front



Aggy being nosy



The black neons... these guys are hard to get a nice photo of.



And lastly, the nerite we hired to take care of the green spot algae. Hes pretty active, I like him

 

Actually, there may not be a video posted until tomorrow, for now just photos for this week.



^the sword plantlet in the pot is growing out for a coworker, that's why it's there. I sanitized it and moved it out of the tank that has hydra so I don't send hydra to her lol


The cories love sticking their heads inside the acorn tops.





I do have a video of the one eyed girl, now named Izanagi, or Izzy.

 

Actually, there may not be a video posted until tomorrow, for now just photos for this week.

View attachment 652655
^the sword plantlet in the pot is growing out for a coworker, that's why it's there. I sanitized it and moved it out of the tank that has hydra so I don't send hydra to her lol


The cories love sticking their heads inside the acorn tops.
View attachment 652656View attachment 652657View attachment 652658

I do have a video of the one eyed girl, now named Izanagi, or Izzy.

I love how your danios just HAD to come swim in front of the camera to see what was going on <3 Can't get enough of your tank as always!

 

Took this photo of Twigbranch today, I love it.

I love how your danios just HAD to come swim in front of the camera to see what was going on <3 Can't get enough of your tank as always!

Theyre nosy and always hounding me for food lol that's their only downside is their habit of needing to always eat. They eat themselves sick while other fish barely get anything, hence why they will be moved to my other 20 when my coworker picks up the 5 shes taking. Its better for them

 

Took this photo of Twigbranch today, I love it.
View attachment 652889



Theyre nosy and always hounding me for food lol that's their only downside is their habit of needing to always eat. They eat themselves sick while other fish barely get anything, hence why they will be moved to my other 20 when my coworker picks up the 5 shes taking. Its better for them

I can see why you love that pick! It’s awesome!

 

Couple more shots. Two of Izzy this morning and one of Red the other day.

 

Hooo boy.... such change today.

Finally caught all of the remaining danios and moved them. Also caught the 6 cories moving to another tank.

So stock has changed.

It now stands:
6 aeneus corydoras
3 weitzmanI corydoras
1 agassiziI corydoras
2 farlowella vittata
1 dwarf gourami
6 black neon tetras
6 kuhlI loaches
4 java loaches

I added two new aeneus today, to up the school slightly. I plan on upping the neon school next. Thinking 6 more.

But since I had to net fish, things had to be taken out... so it got rescaped.

Pardon the microbubbles, but:




The two newbies are albino aeneus

 

Photo of it all settled down, no glare from lights.




And some other photos from last night and this morning that I'm dumping off here.

 

Love it!!

 

When I get home from work later I will upload the tank update, but for now heres some photos from this week.

We moved out 6 of the cories to another tank and the remaining danios moved to another too.

I ended up moving my 4 platy boys from one of the 20s back to this tank. Theyre sorta happy. At least the 3 youngest are. They're all over it. Rocket the older male... he needs convincing lol
Red the DG isn't so pleased with the platies returning, but there's 4 of them and lots of space to be away from one another. Most of his aggressive efforts are displays of shooting bubbles from his gills and charging the platies, which they just swim off ignoring him. It should settle back down in time.

The three young brothers, Crafty, Clog, and Gooseberry.



Can you find Tree? Her hiding skills are better than Twigbranch's.



One of the newbie cories.



Couple of noodles.



Rocket the adult platy demands I put him back in the 20 gallon NOW. He is not impressed.



My lazy nerite that I fired is lazing about riding on top of the new one hired.



So, stock currently sits:

4 platies
6 black neon tetras (going to increase to 12)
6 aeneus corydoras
3 weitzmanI corydoras
1 agassiziI corydoras
4 java loaches
6 kuhlI loaches
2 farlowella vittata
1 dwarf gourami
2 nerite snails (I may move the lazy one to my betta's tank as it matures)

 

Okay tank photo time!




And some platy photos... and Red giving them the stink eye.




Crafty, Clog, and Gooseberry were all born in this tank and moved for a bit. Crafty was the one who survived hiding in the plants and refused to be caught. Hes the biggest of the brothers. Clog and Gooseberry stayed with their mother and sister until it was clear they were boys. Then they got moved to join the other boys. (Mom PilatI and sister Juniper live in another tank). All of them but Crafty were supposed to go to a home with other siblings, but between several people not showing up for them, I got attached so they stayed. Gooseberry may still go to my coworker, though.

This one plain with yellow tail is Crafty



Subtle markings on the blue, clear tail. This is Clog. Named because he got his head stuck in the net during capture when he was a fry.



Clear tail, little markings, this is Gooseberry. He took the longest to develop his boy parts. He showed he was a boy at 5 months old (the others were 3 months old when we could tell)



The darker marked guy on the right is an unrelated male, Rocket. Originally was supposed to be a mate to the mother of these guys, but she hated him. Stressed him out all the time so we separated them. He is named Rocket because he is skittish and jumpy... shoots off real fast when you peek in on the tank.



Three brothers



All 4 boys

 

It took me so long to find tree Lol!!
Those are awesome pics!
You must have an awesome camera because, It must have taken some serious camera skills and a good camera to get a photo of the kuhlis before they started squiggling around again

 

It took me so long to find tree Lol!!
Those are awesome pics!
You must have an awesome camera because, It must have taken some serious camera skills and a good camera to get a photo of the kuhlis before they started squiggling around again

Just my phone for that one too

 

Okay I swear, last post for today for this tank!!
But... I took a few more photos.

Just really liked this close up of the planted side. White blob is a cory lol


My one eyed girl showing off some beautiful green colouring.


One of the albinos


Snail

Growing some kind of algae and I love it.

 

Never stop with the pictures noodle!!!

 

Meet the snails.

They play a role in my tank and I love them. Mostly ramshorns, a couple nerites, and a couple elimia snails (a native snail to my local rivers and lakes). I plan on getting more elimias this spring and perhaps a lymnea stagnalis or two as well.











More photos coming next.