5 replies to this topic

[Voodoo]

so im going to be setting up a native tank shortly and am in the planning stages. the tank isn't super big but will suffice for smaller animals until they get bigger.

 

Ive currently got 2 archers and am planning on some red scats and some monos.

 

haven't done a great deal of research yet as to what goes with what - as i say im in the planning stage at this point.

 

thinking of a sandy bottom with heaps of driftwood/sticks/roots and maybe some sort of native moss or plants (the lower the maintenance the better)

 

any other suggestions or tips would be much appreciated

[malawiman85]

Sounds awesome! Great fish. Other fish to consider:

- Coal Grunter

- Spangled Perch

- Black eel tail catfish.

 

if you can get a young one of any of the above this summer and grow it up with your other fish... That would look Sweeeeet!!!!

 

Scats will eat the plants, its the one thing I dont like about them. I reckon Silver Scats look better than red or green scats, especially as they mature. I would keep the substrate quite thin to keep it easier to clean... If you are gonna keep scats you wont have to worry about planting in substrate.

 

Keep the water pretty much the same as you generally would for Malawis - hardish, highish pH, low nitrates.

 

Keep in mind a lot of Aussie fish are wild caught or straight from the hatchery so I recommend treating for the likes of flukes immediately.

[Voodoo]

Do fresh water mussels work similarly to oysters as a sort of filtration?

[malawiman85]

I dunno anything about them TBH.

[scottyhooton]

I have read that they do have filtrating properties

[Voodoo]

yeah i then went to trusty old google and found that it is unlikely that there would be enough nutrients in the water to sustain them