Featherfin or Threadfin Rainbow fish

Today, bought a school of 6 featherfin Rainbow fish (Iriatherina Werneri) to add vibrancy into my nano tank. More information can be found here http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/Rainbowfish/ThreadfinRainbowfish.php.

The rainbow fish was recommended by this blogger http://theplantedtankblog.blogspot.sg/ during our visit to fish farm and I fell in love when the fish dsiplayed its rainbow fins like a proud peacock.  Here are photos taken from my tank which speak louder than words to describe its beauty.  The shop owner, who is a chinese, called this fish "little sparrow".

It was known that this threadfin fish has very thin throat, I bought baby plankton (near powdery form)
for feed and the fish happily swam around taking in the plankton.  On top of which, I also crushed my shrimp's food into very tiny size such that they enjoy whatever foods I threw in that fit into their tiny mouth. 

New setup - 2ft Tank

This new tank will sit on my boring dinning table so that I can enjoy my meal and a good view of my aquarium.


Total damage: $135 (plants not included)
Tank - $32
4.5kg Rocks - $18

T5HO lights (24w X 2 tubes) - $40
ANS cooling fan - $18
10kg Sand Gravel: $9
Bog woods - $18


Journey, please read from bottom up...

Done (My small dinning area)

Journey Monday (26 Nov)
Took a couple of  mini nana from my existing larger tank and scattered them along the rocky scapes.
At least for now, my Budget Journey is considered complete within 4 days.  I wonder what theme should I call it, Yellow Stone River?

Journey Sunday (25 Nov)
Aging my tank water at its initial setup before I fine tune it along the way by adding plants, fishes, fans and proper lighting. As of now this is on budget.

Bought additional 2.5 kg of rocks

Jouney Saturday (24 Nov)

Bought two cheapest bogwoods to tie my needle ferns before the fern dries out

Journey Friday (23 Nov)
Bought some rocks and river gravel

Journey Thursday (22 Nov)
Bought a new tank (60cm L X 23cm W X 28cm H)
Eden 501 (existing stock which was not utilised)
As you can see, I cut the Eden inlet/outlet tubes shorter to match the heigh of my 2ft tank

 

Malayan Shrimps - with more rainbow colors

Updated: 16 Sep 2012
Now a closer look at the Ninja color Malayan Shrim

Updated: 27 Aug 2012
Malayan shrimp became Green in color.

Updated: 15 Aug 2012
Malayan shrimp is now a galaxy

Minutes later, another Mr Brown malayan appears

Now she is black in color.

Hours later becomes transparent light pink?

Latest update on 11 August 2012, malayan shrimp becomes Gold color

Latest update on 9 August 2012 (National Day), my malayan shrimps put on its BLUE tone.

Also known as Ninja Shrimp, Rainbow Shrimp....and let photos prove the point.
Original dark grey color with prominent stripe at the back.

This piece became cherry in color.

Most of the time, they were RED in color

The larger piece became  "Fire Red"  to match others during feeding.

Polygonum

Updated: 16 Sep 2012 (above)
My polygonum has finally emerged but the lower sumberged leaves have started to rot. hmmm...so it might no be suitable for aquarium?

Came across this interesting "weed" (polygonum) and added it to my background plants. I am giving it a try for the wild look and hope it can quickly grow half emerged from the tank to create a different tank scape..

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Malayan Shrimp turned Red color

 I bought 3 Brown Malayan Shrimps today and they were "attacked" by dozens of Fire Red during feeding time. However, one Malayan decided it was wise to "integrate" by changing its color to match the Fire Red Shrimps.

Fish to Bone in one day

Shrimps having a good time helping themselves with fresh sashimi. See how fast they scratch the ailing fish into a piece of fine bone.

PH testing again

I think I did the last PH test about 3 months ago. I did a test today and found my aquarium PH rather high...towards 7.6. How long it has been at this range I do not know but my shrimp's color is pretty solid under such parameter. Was there any co-relations or other factor at play?

Photo taken with and without lighting. Nevertheless, I am quite happy such intense color has been consistent for months. These shrimps are many generations (at least 8th?) from the first batch of Fire Red which I bought from GC 2 years ago.... Since then, I have never added new purchases. Amazing to see their solid red can be sustained for so long.

"Liberating" my shrimplets

Setting my shrimplets free by tilting the breeding box facing my java moss.

The babies are taking their own sweet time out of the cradle.

They are now on their own device.

Shrimplets inside Breeding Box

Pardon my lousy camera. There is no place like breeding box to keep my shrimplets safe. Yes! the berried FR has finally "give birth" to about 20 shrimplets (my estimation) or could be more since it difficult to count these hyperactive tiny fellows











If more shrimps are berried, I may consider setting up a 2nd breeding box to expedite the growth of my Fire Red populations.











I will release those guys into the main tank once they exceed 0.5mm so that more berried shrimps (two at a time) can be brought into the box.

Otocinclus affinis natural habitat

Ya, call me a city folk who pay a dollar for a piece of Otocinclus when you can actually get it free here, by cupping with a single palm, if you dare to put your hands into that river. That river, is truly a wealth pot so-to-speak but it also gave me the goose bumps already.

Before and After "weeds trimming"

Before: Rampant growth of Moss/algae to allow my berried shrimps enough hiding places and also provision of basic staple for the adult shrimps and shrimplets.











After: Decided to give my tank a good trim without compromising the lush green scape. I might take away the BBA infested watercress floating on the extreme right area and replace with something undecided at the moment (tiger lily, nana, non-green plants or simply leave it empty......). Any suggestion? See how fast the fauna dissappeared into hiding compared to the first photo.

I think I saw a couple of female shrimps berried, but this one took the cake. Down into the breeding box that has stood idle for a while now.