Otocinclus Cocama - A Zebra's Journal

[James0816]

Update 13-Jul-2011

Finally working on this tank again after returning from holiday. Ok....removed all the plants from the tank. Placed back (5) C. wendtii's. I'm pretty much using the same format as the original layout. I have (3) Wendtii's in front of the driftwood and (2) behind.

I'm going to transfer over (2) Downoi crowns from the Vittatus tank. I'll work in the same stems that were in there previously.

Also planned will be another ledge. With this one, I would like to use Fissidens, but that is going to be a tall order. I may just make two ledges and reserve one for Fissidens when I can acquire enough of it. The other I will use Subwassertang again. On top of the ledge, I plan on using Lobellia. Just have to make sure it grows properly and not leggy. But I don't think that is going to be an issue.

The canister filter has been officially removed and filtration is strictly HOB now. Current looks to be doing as planned.

Once the scape is complete, I'll get my baseline water parms and we'll go from there.

 

[fishnfreak]

Any updates mate??

 

[James0816]

Nothing on the breeding front as yet. Everyone still kinda staying to themselves. Still not satisified with the scape of the tank as yet. Just doesn't seem to want to fill in right. I have a few tweaks left to do and then we'll let it ride for a spell.

 

[James0816]

Update 16-Sep-2011

It is with great sadness that I make this entry. I wasn't going to post at first but decided it wouldn't be true to myself or to the people reading this.

I just encountered my worst tank disaster in my fish keeping years. I lost all my Cocama's due to a busted tank. Some time during the night, the left side of the light fixture broke free which fell onto the tank breaking the side pane. I have suspended lights over most of the tanks. I didn't have time to investigate as yet this morning.

Also lost were (7) Propinqua shrimp and maybe my Brigg. I just got these beautiful Propinqua guys in yesterday too. The Crypts that were on that side of the tank were snapped. Most likely cut by the glass as the water gushed out.

Cleaned up what I could before leaving. Remaining shrimp should be fine without a filter for a while. Hopefully it is still operational. Have about 2" of water above the substrate.

This is not the end of this project. I will rebuild. I'll have a new tank put together today and then start the search for a new group of Cocama's.

 

[happypoet]

Ugh. I am so sorry.

 

[iheartbettas]

sorry for your losses. I guess these things will happen in the hobby. Great attitude about rebuilding.

 

[James0816]

Update 20-Sep-2011

Still working to get the new tank the way I want it. I'm actually going to set it up more similar to the Vitattus tank this time. The Fissiden wall took a nice beating as well. Guess I didn't have it tied down good as I thought. I patched it the best I could so we'll see how it will fill in. Hopefully I'll be satisfied with it in the next couple of days.

Remaining shrimp seem to be doing ok. A couple still showing signs of stress and that is understandable.

I've also started the search for new Cocama's. Nothing has shown up on the importers lists as yet.

 

[James0816]

New tank is pretty much back together. Looks a bit empty compared to before. Still debating on a foreground plant but will probably stay with Downoi for now. For the time being, it will just be C. Propinqua in here until I locate some more Otos.

 

[happypoet]

Wet Spot has them.

 

[James0816]

Kewl...thanks. I'll give them a looksie.