The Oto Journal

Just did another check. No further casualties found thank goodness. All remain extremely active and show no signs of stress. Has to have been something with that water change.

Preping zuc for both tanks. Didn't get a chance to work on the main tank today. The lack of the Balansae's definately made a difference with the lighting. May have to add more crypts to compensate for that.

 

Update 04-Dec-2009

Just checked. No further loses. Feel much better now. I was dreading the daily check on them.

Continuing with the replant of the main tank. After a couple of days, it is obvious that the Balansae was the main shadow maker in the tank. We'll see

 

Update 09-Dec-2009

20% water changes in both main and juvie tank. Could only find one fry in the main tank. Guess my replant of the crypt jungle may have led to badness.

Need to get the other juvies out of the main tank and into their own. May work on that this weekend.

 

lol...they will be ready by spring time. ;o)

Don't want to get involved with any shipping during the winter months.

 

Update 10-Dec-2009

Water Test today:



Found another fry in the main tank. That makes (2) that have been found from last batch of eggs. Two more crypts added back to the tank.

Zucchini added.

 

Been a spell since I've updated this. All continues to go well. Mama Oto is really showing at the moment. Need to remove more of the juvies out of the main tank into the juvie tank.

Speaking of Juvies....here's a fresh video of them. They were really active.

 

Update 01-03-10

I set another trap in the main tank to try and catch some more juvies. Only catch so far is shrimp. Go figure. They know me too well.

I've decided to try the net as much as I hate to. Already moved over (3).

Trimmed some plants and finishing the scaping at the same time.

 

Transferred over (9) to the juvie tank. Wanted (10) but I'll settle. Don't want to create too much stress. That should leave mom and pop and (4) juvies left in the main tank. There are now (38) juvies in the 20long.

Will replant the trimmings and call it quits for the night.

 

So working on replanting and found (1) juvie just kinda hangin out. Decided I would see if I could net him and move him over. Sure enough..was relatively easy. Kewlness!

Moved over (10) juvies to the juvie tank which brings that total to (39). In the main tank, with lesser numbers, I was able to get a more accurate count. The last count remains. (2) adults and (4) juvies.

Still have a couple more plants to place back but the light cut off on me signalling times up.

 

Update 07-Jan-2010

30% water change performed. Water test pending. Found that I lost a shrimp. Mama Oto is still nice and plump.

On a bad note, I believe I found some BBA in the tank. It's on some of the crypt leaves and the Littorella Uniflora. Not good. Gonna be hard to treat in a sensitive environment. Gotta think.

 

May have to rethink my ledge plant. While it may be nice once fully covered...The Echinodorus Angustifolia has already sent out a runner (just to the left of the white toothpick on top of the ledge).

 

Trying to get some updated shots:

Here's the current home:

Left Side:


Right Side:


Full View:

 

Updated Family Photo's

Here's Papa. He's just hanging out with some of his friends.


Here's Mama.


And here's one of the juvies still in the main tank.

 

Update 14-Jan-2010

L. Repens came in today. Cleaned off (5) and went to just drop them in to plant later so I can finish cleaning the other stems.

Mama is laying eggs! I knew it was going to be soon. Was hoping to get the other plants in prior. Anyway, (44) counted at the moment with (1) non viable. I'm watching a couple of others as they might not be viable either be we'll see. She distributed these ones out fairly even so far...(13) in the Ludwigia, (17) in the Bacopa and the rest in the crypt jungle. She placed more on the undersides of the crypts this time. Definately harder to spot.

Will continue to monitor.

 

Otocinclus Eggs found on 14-Jan-2010

First round of pics:

This one is rather interesting. One of the more so of all previous batches. Look closely at the egg in left hand corner. It's on the glass. First time she placed one on the glass.


Eggs on the Bacopa:


Close-up of a couple on the Bacopa:


Eggs on the underside of a crypt leaf. You can just make them out.

 

Final check of the evening, I found an additional (10) eggs. The couple that I am watching haven't turned white yet but still look as if they may. Will know more tomorrow afternoon.

 

Analyzed the data from yesterday. Water parms are normal. I did not get a TDS reading. I'll take one today to see if it is close to prior readings.

The only room variable that changed was the Humidity as it is near 0.

The good thing is that even with the major disturbances of replanting the crypt jungle and Suesswassertang wall, the continued to breed. I was nervous about that change.

Research continues. Not sure if there are any other parms I could check for.

 

Update 15-Jan-2010

Mama laid a few more eggs over night. I counted (8) more this afternoon. As expected, I did find non-viable ones. I counted (7) non-viable. Going through some pics now to see if any other good shots.

Will be toping off the tank and have zucchini prepping. I'm also going to toss in some seaweed flakes to see if this will help the wigglers in their hunt for red october..i mean food. ;o)

CO2 bottle is due for a recharge and have the yeast activating now as well.