Issue N°. 7 • July 2014
FRE
MICA N°. 178/12/2013
A PUBLICATION FOR HOBBYISTS
INVERTEBRATES SERIES
EARTH’S REMAINING RIVER SYSTEMS
Breeding the Crystal Red Shrimp
The River Nile FEATURED FISH
Tigers of Africa
Killies
Living Jewels of the Fish World
Knowing your Fish Feeds WATER MANAGEMENT
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH
Jeremy Wade in Singapore
ALL ABOUT FOOD
Fundulopanchax gardneri nigerianus / © Navin Chandra
POISSONPASSION.COM
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THE COLOPHON
In This Issue Issue N°.7 / July 2014
04.
06.
07.
10.
THE COMM
LATERAL LINE THOUGHTS
SHARED KNOWLEDGE
Community Building
Releasing Into the ‘Wild’
Interview with Jeremy Wade
EARTH’S REMAINING RIVER SYSTEMS
The River Nile
12.
14.
18.
20.
FEATURED FISH
SPECIES SPOTLIGHT
INVERTEBRATES SERIES
FEATURED FISH
Tigers of Africa
Killies - Living Jewels of the Fish World
Breeding Crystal Red Shrimp
Chocolate Gourami
22.
26.
27.
29.
WATER MANAGEMENT
NEW TO OUR SHORES
ALL ABOUT FOOD
Acclimatising Altums
New Products
Knowing Your Fish Feed
The Caudal
Editor’s Note
THE COLOPHON
Vincent Koh / Editor of Poisson Passion
July is finally here and we are halfway through 2014! Hang in there, we are almost at 2015. The past couple of months were exciting, making in-roads to Malaysia and making new friends. The most notable event for us was being invited by Discovery Channel (South East Asia) to attend Jeremy Wade’s “meet the fans” session at River Safari, where he shares his River Monsters experience and sneak peeks at the latest season of this widely acclaimed show! Read more about this on page 7, and also learn more about Jeremy Wade as we bring you an exclusive interview with the man! What do you do when your pet fish gets too big for your tank? What happens when that little gar outgrows your two feet tank? Are you actually accumulating merits by releasing fishes into our reservoirs? We answer these questions as we grapple with Releasing Fishes to the Wild on page 6. In this issue, we shine our Species Spotlight (page 14) on Killies! This beautiful but shortlived fish has captured the heart of many diehards, but sadly did not catch on with the general crowd. We find out why hobbyists should be crazy about them again! The June to August months are always highly anticipated by hobbyists, as South American fishes start their journey from the Amazon, destined for tanks all over the world. The fish high on experienced hobbyists’ wish list is Pterophyllum altum. Prized for its beauty and tall stature when in adulthood, Altums are notorious for its high mortality rates in the absence of proper acclimatization and quarantine when introduced into your home tanks. To address this problem and help save your dollars, we share an acclimatization method on page 22. Besides being knowledgeable on managing your aquarium water, the next thing on hobbyists’ minds is what to feed my precious pets? Fret not, as we provide our new hobbyists with an easy to understand guide on the various types of foods available. Find out more on page 27. Enjoy and don’t forget to ‘LIKE’ us on FaceBook! TO THE NEXT FISH
Vincent Editor, Poisson Passion
A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R H O B B Y I S T S
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Keegan Gan
A magazine editor that has made his rounds in various publications, Keegan is an experienced journeyman pen-for-hire that is a self professed fish geek. He is also very much into the conservation of species and absolutely loathes the idea of the hybridisation of species as he feels that nature should always run its own course without interference from man.
GUEST WRITER
Alvin Chan After being introduced into keeping CRS by his godfather in 2009, he has been hooked on the hobby and has been constantly upgrading his tanks, breeding stock and his knowledge on shrimps. A font of knowledge and readiness to share with new and experienced keepers, Alvin is always available at Aquarist Chamber to advise on how to maintain and breed his poison of choice, CRS. Follow Alvin’s blog at http://alvinchan80. blog.fc2.com/blog-date-201208.html.
03
THE COMM
Community Building
THE COMM
The past few months have been really exciting for the aquarium hobbyists’ community. A series of workshops and educational talks previously unheard of were organised in Singapore, all in the name of raising awareness, sharing knowledge and generating interest.
04 CRS seminar by LOWKEYS. First visit to Aquarist Chamber. Tsunematsu-san explaining to the audience on how to look for desirable traits in CRS.
CRS seminar by LOWKEYS. Tsunematsu-san’s 2nd visit to Singapore.
CRS SEMINAR BY LOWKEYS (JAPAN)
24 February and 25 May 2014
CRS setup and Breeding by MKBreed. MK Pao explaining his experience as a hobbyist and as a commercial shrimp breeder.
CRS SETUP AND BREEDING BY MK BREED
9 May 2014
AC really cares for the CRS community here! Crossing borders, they managed to invite MK Pao of MK Breed, from Taiwan to share with us the intricacies of setting up a CRS tank. The 9 May seminar was warmly received by our local shrimpers and they had a great time picking up some tips and hints on choosing breeding pairs. This was a golden opportunity for home breeders to shorten their learning curve and boost their breeding efforts!
The first talk, held at Aquarist Chamber (“AC”) on 24 February, was a seminar on the finer points of crystal red shrimp (“CRS”) keeping by the owner of the LOWKEYS brand in Japan, Mr Kenji Tsunematsu. Tsunematsu-san explained the key points of CRS breeding gained from his experience in breeding his LOWKEYS line of premium CRS. Emboldened by the big turnout in the first talk, Tsunematsu-san returned to Singapore again on 25 May, and reached out to more hobbyists who were keen to learn his secrets. The seminars were a real eye-opener for us, as it’s not every day (let alone two days) that an accomplished breeder would share his trade secrets in detail!
P O I S S O N PA S S I O N
THE COMM
#SHADOWSCAPE AT SPA
30 May 2014
Next up, is a live aqua-scaping demonstration held at Sun Pets and Aquarium (“SPA”) on 30 May conducted by an established personality in the Singapore aquascaping scene, Robertus Hartono, or more commonly known by his online moniker, Shadow. Supported by the team from AquaticQuotient. com, Shadow conceptualized and constructed his aquascape within a short span of four hours, sharing valuable pointers along the way. Needless to say the demonstration was a huge success. Many thanks to the equipment sponsors, ADA Singapore and Aquanautics Specialists for their lovely gesture! The Shadowscape is currently housed in SPA. Do visit them and take a look at the aquascape created by a top 20 International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest (“IAPLC”) participant.
#Shadowscape at SPA. Robert showing the crowd on the finer points of choosing a suitable rock for the hard scape.
05
BucepCrypto Expedition Force. “Collecting in the wild can be rewarding, but the trek to the area is usually hard and dangerous”. Daron on the risks involved for most of his expeditions.
BUCEP - CRYPTO EXPEDITION FORCE
18 June 2014
Rounding off these series of events was a Bucephalandra/Cryptocoryne introduction workshop by an aquatic plant zealot, Mr Daron Tan. Daron shared with the audience his experiences in collecting wild Bucephalandra and Cryptocoryne, during expeditions deep into the forests of Borneo and Sarawak. His workshop made us appreciate the high prices commanded by certain Bucephalandra species, as the plants usually grew wild on slick rock outcroppings that were precariously perched over white-water rivers. Keen to experience the expedition? A little bird told us Daron’s next expedition is in October...
Daron explaining to the participants on the finer points of aquatic plants keeping.
What a busy period for hobbyists! We were told to expect more workshops and seminars from AC and SPA respectively, so do follow them on their Facebook pages to be kept in the loop! A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R H O B B Y I S T S
L AT E R A L L I N E T H O U G H T S
Release into the ‘wild’ By Ng Sze Kiat
A
THE WRONG ACTION
06
Having made this mistake, what then can the hobbyist do? One of the things that come to mind is to release the fishes into the wild. On the surface, this seems like the perfect solution- the fishes find freedom in a bigger body of water, the hobbyist no longer needs to look after a fish he or she cannot provide for, and this act of goodwill even gets the hobbyist some positive karma! But is this really what it is? Let us put this into perspective. Closer attention to the intricacies of how Nature works will quickly tear this illusion apart. Releasing fishes or other animals actually do more harm than good. Firstly, releasing unwanted pets affects and interrupts ecosystems and the limited biodiversity in Singapore. A look at our reservoirs is proof of this. As introduced red-eared sliders and hybrid cichlids explode in population, they outcompete native pygmy rasbora and harlequin rasbora populations easily, resulting in an upset of the natural balance. Next, there is the added stress placed on the unwanted pet. Imagine this, after being chased in the tank, placed in a plastic container and jostled around while travelling, the stressed fish is usually unceremoniously dumped into a body of water without proper acclimatization. Already stressed, the weakened fish has a steep uphill battle to overcome the shock of being introduced into an alien environment. Weak from
Channa micropeltes. Parents escorting their fingerlings. Though found in Asia, these giant snakeheads are released into ponds/reservoirs for religious rites.
travel, the disoriented fish would have to seek a hiding place, far from the hungry eyes of predators already lurking in the new environment. I believe survival rates for these ‘mercy releases’ would be quite low. Lastly, some released animals may also introduce diseases to our wildlife. Bacteria and viruses may be introduced to our already weakened ecosystems, which will further complicate and problematize the work put into reestablishing our native wildlife. ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS
So what other solutions can there be? Perhaps the most obvious is to prevent buying something which you may not be able to provide for in the first place. Doing proper research and not buying on impulse will help prevent this problem. What if the mistake has already been made? One should then learn to provide for the fish. As responsible fish-keepers, this is only expected. If however, you neither have the time nor space, then passing on the fishes to other hobbyists via forum trades can serve as a solution. But keep in mind, that this solution maybe a short-term one, as the other hobbyists may face the same problem. ‘Operation No Release’, the campaign led by the National Parks Board and Public Utilities Board, has been somewhat effective, and the number of animals released into the wild has seen an overall decline over the years. And as we grow towards more educated and informed choices, we will begin to see more and more positive changes. COMPASSION WITH WISDOM
So the next time you wish to release an unwanted pet out of ‘kindness’ or ‘good will’, think again. Perhaps it is wiser to give your pet a new lease on life rather than sending it to its proverbial and literal grave. Compassion is one thing, but compassion without wisdom can result in more harm than good. Every action results in a reaction. All flora and fauna in our ecosystem affects us, and we affect all flora and fauna in our ecosystem. This is not mutually exclusive. So let us be more mindful of our actions lest we set off the wrong wheels in motion.
Trachemy scripta elegans. A red ear slider peeking out of the water. Native to southern United States, the sliders found in our reservoirs are most likely abandoned pets.
P O I S S O N PA S S I O N
The above is an opinion piece by a concerned hobbyist, and it represents his personal views. Though our Editor had the same thoughts, he was late in writing this piece. Poisson Passion neither reject nor support this view, but we like to keep an open mind and believe some truth lies hidden within his opinions!
L AT E R A L L I N E T H O U G H T S
s a fish hobbyist and occasional breeder myself, I have had in the past, made the mistake of buying a fish that I could not cater for. I believe, many hobbyists, both experienced and new, do make this mistake from time to time. Most of us became victim to a hobbyist-specific “illness”, commonly called IBS.
SHARED KNOWLEDGE
An Interview with an Angler and a Hobbyist Poisson Passion’s exclusive interview with Jeremy Wade
SHARED KNOWLEDGE
By Keegan Gan Photographs by Roy Pek
E
xtreme angler and adventurer Jeremy Wade (JW) talks about the new series of River Monsters and reveals the most memorable moments from his recent travels. When Poisson Passion (PP) got wind of news that Jeremy Wade, the star of River Monsters was making a trip to Southeast Asia to promote the sixth season of his show (beginning Tuesday, July 8 at 9:00 p.m. (2100 hrs) SIN/HK on Discovery Channel), we were naturally excited. Being ardent fish geeks, we wanted to quiz him on numerous things on fish conservation as well as the aquarium industry from a biologist’s perspective. Hi Jeremy, thank you for your time. For starters, could you tell us what is your greatest fear when out angling for potentially dangerous giant predatory fish? Were there any scary moments or close calls? PP:
I have survived a plane crash on one trip 12 years ago in the Amazon due to engine failure at low altitude. So I guess that counts as both a scary moment as well as a close call *chuckles*. Another one would be the fact that I was once rammed in the chest by an Arapaima, and it was a very painful experience, as I could not sit up and I had to slide my way out of bed for weeks. It took me two months to recover from my injuries. JW:
Which fish in the River Monster series strikes the most fear in you? PP:
I would have to say it is the electric eel, Electrophorus electricus. This is one fish that can potentially kill a human being just by discharging a powerful current of up to 600 volts. (Editor’s note: The current is used by the eel for hunting, selfdefense and communicating with fellow eels. Despite its name, it is not an eel, but rather a knifefish.) JW:
PP:
What’s the hardest fish to track down thus far?
I would say it has to be the African Goliath Tiger Fish, Hydrocynus goliath. Firstly, it is hard to catch due to its bony mouth armed with dagger like sharp teeth that readily spits the hook out and secondly, travelling to Congo is tiring and potentially dangerous. But I caught a good sized specimen, so I’m pleased. JW:
If there’s one fish you would like to re-visit and have a rematch, which one would that be? PP:
It will definitely be the Goonch, Bagarius yarrelli. There is one that is bigger than what I had landed previously but it escaped and my camera man who dived underwater with me told me that he saw one that was the size of a horse! JW:
You have discovered a possible new subspecies of the Arapaima, can you tell us more about your find, and how different it is from its cousins? PP:
Arapaima gigas is already thought to be extinct by a number of biologists and researchers. I have consulted with a few field experts and the conclusion is that the fish we are looking at right now is Arapaima arapaima and there is possibly two to three subspecies of the biggest member from the Osteoglossidae family (Editor’s note: See research done by Donald Stewart from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in New York). I have studied an old museum specimen, and discovered it to be quite different from the extant subspecies. One way to differentiate these fishes would be through DNA testing as well as the number of fin rays that each subspecies possesses. JW:
A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R H O B B Y I S T S
07
SHARED KNOWLEDGE
Face to face with another arapaima under different circumstances!
08 PP:
It seems that in conservation, fish are not so widely promoted in the media as compared to other fauna. What are your thoughts?
PP:
Absolutely true, hence the creation of the River Monsters series *laughs*. One reason would be the fact that fishes are not so visible, especially freshwater ones swimming in murky muddy waters, hence the general public have no inkling that the rivers of the world are home to these amazing freshwater giants. These fish are apex predators and are great indicator species, the health of the particular ecosystem in which they reside can be determined by their population size and diversity, and more can be done in my opinion, by the media to push for their conservation.
JW:
JW:
Do you think the aquarium trade is beneficial to species conservation? If yes, how can we promote the hobby of fish keeping further? PP:
To be honest, the aquarium trade can be harmful, as those that are unable to be commercially farmed for ornamental fish keeping purposes will be caught from the wild, and the amount of travelling involved from harvesting to packing and then freighting will invariably result in mortality due to stress. But it cuts both ways, public aquaria such as the River Safari can help educate the masses and stoke interest in conservation, and it doesn’t necessary mean that fish keeping is a hobby that is detrimental to the environment. If the local fish stores can play their part in educating the public, it can aid in spreading the conservation message. JW:
What are your thoughts on the hybridization of rare species, for example the Potamotrygon genus of stingrays in the aquarium fish trade? Although the hybridization of closely related species can result in beautiful specimens of the home aquarium, such actions can interfere with nature and lead to unforeseen circumstances, especially if such hybrids are released into the wild and they end up cross breeding with purebreds. This will result in the tainting of the particular species’ gene pool and if that species is endangered, it will further push the fish to the brink of extinction, which is an irreversible and harmful act with dire consequences. Have you ever thought of keeping any of these river monsters as pets, if so, why or why not? PP:
JW: If time and space permits, it will definitely be the Arapaima,
as they are not that sensitive to poor water conditions such as low oxygen content, but I am seldom at home, so I am contented with just angling them in the name of conservation. Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts and experiences with us, Jeremy. PP:
JW:
The pleasure is mine.
P O I S S O N PA S S I O N
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E ARTH’S REMAINING RIVER SYSTEMS
The River Nile Father of African Rivers By Valerie Lim
Phenacogrammus interruptus. A shoal of congo tetras
R
ounding up our Earth’s Remaining River Systems series, we bring your attention to the River Nile (“Nile”) - the arterial water source for many ancient civilisations from the cradle of civilisation. The Nile has seen the rise and fall of the ancient Egyptians, quenched the thirst of desert tribes and irrigated the precious food crops grown near its banks. Essential to the survival of millions, the Nile is currently under threat from many sides, most of which are due to Man’s unquenchable desires.
flourish and sustains an estimated 100 million people today. This was evident from as far back as 4000 BC, as agricultural success brought about by irrigation from the River Nile was the key to the wealth and power of the ancient pharaohs. The river plays an important part to the Animal Kingdom too, supporting an estimated 300 different variants of cichlids, most of which are unique to the region. Sadly, the rich biodiversity of the Nile was greatly affected by external factors, most notable being the introduction of the Nile Perch as a food fish.
COURSING THROUGH THE CONTINENT
THREATS TO THE NILE
The longest river in the world (at 6,650 kilometres), the Nile is mainly fed by the Blue Nile, from the highlands of Ethiopia and the White Nile, which flows through mountainous Sudan. Draining an estimated 3.5 million square kilometres, the Nile river basin serves to provide water to many African nations situated on its meandering length. Starting south of the equator, this northward flowing river is an important trade and transportation route for the African countries situated on its banks. This is especially so during the rainy season, as the Nile overflows its banks and floods the surrounding regions. On average, the Nile discharges about 300 million cubic metres of water daily, into the Mediterranean Sea.
Due to the extensive reliance on the Nile for irrigation, climate change poses the greatest threat to the river. Heavy extraction by humans and coupled with the high rate of evaporation, sees the Nile failing to discharge its water into the Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore, the consistent high evaporation rate leaves behind large accumulation of salt and as the water irrigates the land the excessive amount of salts gets distributed as well; contaminating groundwater making it impossible to drink or for it to be used for farming. Other than climate change and the heavy usage by humans, another looming threat to the river’s resident species is the invasion of alien species to the water body - the Nile perch. Reproducing up to 16 million eggs at one time and being vicious predators (they known to cannibalise their own species), their ability to feed on bigger sized fish than itself allows them to dominate many habitats. This leaves a lasting damaging
IMPORTANCE OF THE NILE
Besides acting as a means of transport, the Nile irrigates the parched regions of equatorial Africa, enabling agriculture to
P O I S S O N PA S S I O N
All photos courtesy of Wildlife Reserves Singapore. © Wildlife Reserves Singapore
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E ARTH’S REMAINING RIV ER SYSTEMS
E ARTH’S REMAINING RIVER SYSTEMS
Tetraodon mbu. The powerful beak is specialised to crush small molluscs and shellfish, a staple food for the giant puffer fish.
impact on the native inhabitants of the river and hundreds of these native species has become extinct over the years, due to the Nile Perch! CONSERVATION PROGRAMMES IN PLACE
Noting the importance of the river and the increasing pollution brought about industrial activities, the Egyptian government put forth several initiatives to preserve the quality of the Nile’s water, which is the main source of drinking water for Egypt. The Egyptian Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs (“MSEA”) monitored and regulated the industrial activities near the Nile, in particular the dumping of untreated industrial effluent by factories into the Nile. Their efforts were met with great success, and in late 2000, the MSEA declared the River Nile to be free from industrial pollution. This marked a great win for the global river conservation cause, and we hope to see more of these success stories in time to come. Here in Singapore 8,000km away, the River Safari recreates a small part of the River Nile, raising awareness to the abundance of exotic and diverse wildlife found in the river. The exhibit also serves as a stark reminder that should conservation efforts to preserve our Earth’s remaining river systems fail, we will be losing more than just the beautiful fish species found in our remaining river systems!
Auchenoglanis occidentalis. The giraffe catfish is one of the many fish species inhabiting River Nile.
Without the River Nile, we may not have the Pyramids that stand till today? The Nile was an important mode of transportation back then and the blocks of stone used in the building of the Pyramids were believed to be transported from the source to the site via the river.
prove that with 100% certainty but its nice to know that something like this might have existed on earth once.
OU DID Y ? KNOW
Some believed that the Nile is an ancient holy site with references from the Bible and is believed to be the Biblical river that flows out of the Garden of Eden. No one can
Hemichromis bimaculatus. The jewel cichlid is very territorial and becomes incredibly aggressive when spawning.
Why does the Nile overflows? Melting snow and heavy summer rain in the Ethiopian Mountains sent a torrent of water causing the banks of the River Nile in Egypt to overflow on the flat desert land. The Nile becomes increasingly important the farther north it flows into Sudan and Egypt. This is because it brings water to regions which lie in Earth’s greatest and most desolate desert, the Sahara.
A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R H O B B Y I S T S
11
F E AT U R E D F I S H
Tigers of Africa By Eugene Koh
12
SPECIES RANGE
In the family Alestidae, the genus Hydrocynus, has five recognized members, H. goliath, H. vittatus, H. tanzaniae, H. forskahlii and H. brevis. This family of ferocious predators is
native to the African continent, and inhabits the Congo River basin, stalking the turbulent “white water” regions for survival. Juvenile specimens have been documented to hunt in large shoals, often found patrolling the calmer parts of the raging river, picking off lethargic prey resting from their strenuous swim in the strong currents of the Congo River. However, do not mistake them to be friendly shoal-mates to each other, as ichthyologists have observed only minimal size differences amongst the shoaling ATFs. This could be due to the fact that these monsters are cannibals and any fishes smaller in size are deemed to be prey, creating an almost uniform sized shoal. This shoaling behavior seems to stop in adulthood, as large specimens (measuring over 1.5 metres long!) are always observed to be solitary hunters. DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Although the ATFs are commonly recognized by their mouth full of dagger like teeth, what sets them apart as the apex predators of the Congo River is their muscular, torpedo shaped silvery body, a powerful tail and the tenacity to attack any creature! Capable of reaching speeds of about 50km/hour in water, they are able to outrun any targeted prey, ripping them apart with powerful swipes from their jaws. A popular online video even recorded an ATF taking small birds in mid- flight, an amazing accomplishment for a fish! IN AQUARIA
Keeping ATFs in the home aquarium is pretty straightforward, as they can tolerate a wide range of water parameters. Do bear
NN P OP OI SI SSSOONN PA PASSSSI OI O
All photos courtesy of Wildlife Reserves Singapore. © Wildlife Reserves Singapore
S
leek, deadly and fearless. These are some of the adjectives coming to mind when admiring an African Tiger Fish (“ATF”). Their lipless, toothy “grin” conjures an image of a nightmarish ghoul eager to devour your flesh and bone! Somehow, that gruesome façade is what makes the ATF a favourite amongst anglers and monster fish keepers. Often termed as Africa’s answer to the South American piranhas, the ATF would most likely devour the notorious piranhas in a heartbeat. Although both species possess similar dental weaponry, do not forget the aptly named Hydrocynus goliath (the biggest in genus Hydrocynus) can reach a length of 1.5 metres, easily surpassing an adult Pygocentrus piraya which only max out at 50cm! A decade ago, the ATFs (yes, there are a few species of them around) were a rare exotic pet in the ornamental fish trade, but in recent years, they became a common sight in most live fish shops in South East Asia. Cashing in on their exotic looks, intrepid shop owners started importing them from Africa, with the most commonly seen species being the H. goliath and H. vittatus. (Interesting note: Most specimens sold in shops are no bigger than 10 centimetres, as transporting the bigger juveniles is a risky operation. Bigger fish require more oxygen to survive and are more likely to suffocate and die during transit.)
F E AT U R E D F I S H
H. vittatus, A shoal of similar sized H. vittatus.
F E AT U R E D F I S H
in mind that keeping the water well oxygenated is a must, as they are active fishes which actively hunt prey in turbulent rivers. As they are native to the African subcontinent, ATFs thrive in warm water temperatures (24 to 28 degress Celsius), well-suited to the tropical weather of South East Asia. An impressive addition into any monster fish keeper’s collection, these ATFs can be kept in a community tank if its tank mates are larger or similar in size to the ATF. However, do bear in mind to keep them well fed, as adult ATFs will not hesitate to attack any fish bigger than itself, just to get a quick meal. Lastly, being an extremely powerful swimmer with the ability to grow up to more than 90cm in captive conditions, any hobbyists keen to have this monster in their home aquaria would require a large outdoor pond to accommodate an adult specimen. However in land scarce Singapore, that may not be an option, but they can still be admired in the River Nile aquarium exhibit at Singapore’s River Safari!
H. goliath, Close up of a juvenile. Though the teeth are small, they are capable of ripping out chunks of flesh from unsuspecting prey!
F E AT U R E D F I S H
ID Chart
13
Species Name
H. goliath
H. vittatus
Description
Elongated silvery-scaled body, with a caudal fin (tail) proportionately larger than the body. The caudal is usually red for juveniles and adults. Faint and subdued striping across the body. The dagger-like teeth (from the upper and lower jaws) interlocks when the squarishboxlike snout is shut. Has the largest snout in genus Hydrocynus
Pronounced striping running across its silverscaled body. The caudal fin is usually red and yellow in colour. Like members of its genus, the dagger-like teeth interlocks, however the snout is more pointed and is smaller than H. goliath.
Maintainence
Highly oxygenated and clean water is required. Able to thrive in pH 6.5 - 8.0 and a temperature range between 24oC to 28oC.
Diet
Piscivorous (feeds mainly on fish) and will devour any live feeders thrown in, however, many hobbyists have been successful in weaning these monsters on to prepared foods like prawn meat, mussels, cut up fish pieces and pork.
Tankmate
Any fishes that are significantly larger than the ATF and unable to fit in its mouth, however, there have been instances of ATFs attacking prey larger than itself. Do observe the fish, as each individual may have differing temperament/ tolerance towards their tankmates.
Body length and Aquarium Size
Both species are able to grow to more than 75 centimetres in length, but H. goliath may reach a length of more than 1 metre, so a large aquarium is required to raise them to adulthood. A moderately sized pond would be ideal to house these powerful swimmers.
Hobbyist level
Intermediate to advance
A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R H O B B Y I S T S
SPECIES SPOTLIGHT
Killies
Living Jewels of the fish world
SPECIES SPOTLIGHT
By Keegan Gan Photographs by Navin Chandra Images shot on site at Green Chapter
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Chromaphyosemion splendopleure ‘Tiko’ strain. A male. The striking colours possessed by the Killifish make it truly deserving of being named as the ‘Living Jewel of the Fish World’!
P O I S S O N PA S S I O N
SPECIES SPOTLIGHT
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S
ometimes referred to as the living jewels of the fish world, Killifish are prized by hobbyists all over the world due to their rarity and vibrant colours that can rival most of the fancy livebearers and tetras. As an aquarium fish, Killies are very hardy making them a perfect choice for the beginning hobbyist. The Killifish belongs to a large genus of various oviparous (egg-laying) Cyprinodontids that are found mainly in fresh or brackish waters in the Americas and in much of Africa and Asia but are not found in Australia, Antarctica, or Europe. The name Killifish is derived from the Dutch word ‘Kilde’, which means a small creek or puddle. Most Killies are small fish, from one to
two inches (2.5 to 5 cm), with the largest species growing to just under six inches (15 cm). A majority of the Killies reside in permanent streams, rivers, and lakes and live between two and three years, these are referred to as ‘non-annuals’. Such Killies are common in the Americas (Cyprinodon, Fundulus and Rivulus) as well as those in Africa and Asia (Aphyosemion, Aplocheilus, Epiplatys, Fundulopanchax and Lacustricola). There are also the specialised forms that live in temporary ponds, and typically have a much shorter lifespan, these are known as the ‘annuals’ and they generally live no longer than nine months. Examples include the Nothobranchius from Africa and South American genera of Austrolebias, Gnatholebias,
A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R H O B B Y I S T S
SPECIES SPOTLIGHT
Aphyosemion australe (Non Annual) A pair of the ‘gold’ strain, with the male being the gaudier of the two.
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Pterolebias, Simpsonichthys and Terranatos. In total, there are an estimated 1,200 different species of Killifishes, with the Rivulidae family containing the most number of species approximately 320. NON ANNUALS
As mentioned earlier, Killifish are separated into two distinct types - annual and non-annual. A significant division is made between the specialised species that live in ephemeral waters and thus live a short life span, and those that reside in permanent bodies of water, which possess a longer life span. ‘Non-annuals’ are Killies that stay in permanent water bodies that do not dry out. These fish incubate their eggs in water and for a much shorter period of time, have longer life spans and grow much slower than their annual cousins. Exact lifespan and growth rate depends on the species and numerous environmental conditions. ‘Non-annuals’ also include some of the most stunning looking fish that rival the marine fish in colour and beauty. Due to their longer lifespan and spectacular colouration, the ‘nonannuals’ are very much sort after by diehard Killie hobbyists and new hobbyists. ANNUAL KILLIES
As mentioned earlier, the ‘annual’ Killies have a lifespan of about nine months, due to their living environment. As ‘annuals’ live in small pools of waters that go through an annual dry spell, the eggs of most ‘annual’ species can survive periods of partial dehydration and commonly do not develop immediately after they are laid - an evolutionary response to their living conditions. ‘Annuals’ place their eggs in the substrate of the habitat,
OU DID Y ? KNOW
Killiefish keepers are very strict in documenting the species they have, even noting down the collection location and collection date. This is meant to protect the purity of the various Killie species and prevent hybridization of separate Killie species!
and will sometimes dive into the dirt and disappear from sight until an egg or a few are deposited. The eggs will remain in the substrate essentially undeveloped until the body of water in which the fish resides dries out. Under dry conditions, the eggs begin to develop and are ready to hatch when the rainy season arrives. Not all of the eggs will hatch when the initial rains return, since the drought may recur, and thus some eggs may hatch only during the second or third wet period. This is a diapause used to great effect by the species. Bearing in mind that annuals are difficult to breed and rear, it is wiser to start with the ‘non-annuals’ and attempt the ‘annuals’ when sufficient intimate knowledge on Killie care and maintenance is obtained. This is for two reasons. Firstly ‘annuals’ are best obtained either directly from a breeder or via eggs, secondly incubation temperature plays an important role in the length of the incubation period and a beginner may not have the necessary devices to maintain the proper temperature to hatch the eggs and might end up hatching them too soon or too late.
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SPECIES SPOTLIGHT
Visit www.poissonpassion.com for the breeding video of this pair of A. australe
SPECIES SPOTLIGHT
TANK SETUP & WATER REQUIREMENTS
As a fish that is found largely in tropical parts of the world, Killies tend to thrive in soft, acidic water with a pH range of 6.4 to 7.0, a temperature range of 26 °C to 29 °C and a hardness of GH or KH of up to 6. They can live in slightly harder water, but breeding is unlikely as eggs will not be fertile. Also bear in mind that Killies adore stability in their water, as such, it is best not to spook them as any change in water conditions or abrupt movements are likely to make them jump out of their tank, so make sure you cover your tank! FILTRATION NEEDS
For breeding purposes, the aquarium only requires a sponge filtration but for a small community tank, a hang-on-back or overhead filter would be great. Just make sure the tank is properly cycled using the appropriate filter media before introducing the fish.
Fundulopanchax gardneri nigerianus (Non Annual) A female from the nigerianus population.
FEEDING
In terms of dietary requirements, Killies are not shy and will almost readily accept any food, but they benefit the most in having high protein food, as they are carnivorous fish that feed primarily on aquatic arthropods such as insect larvae and worms. Killies will take frozen or flake feed, but live feed are highly recommended especially if you want to breed them and raise fry.
SPECIES SPOTLIGHT
AS A COMMUINTY FISH
In terms of tank compatibility, Killies can be good community tank residents. They keep to their own and tend not to be bullies. However, bigger sized fish can turn a tad carnivorous and will attempt to eat their tank mates, such as baby Poeciliids. However when kept together a natural hierarchy will form, and just like most Bettas, males will fight and kill each other even in the absence of a female, but other than that, Killies are rather peaceful top dwellers that will usually mind their own business. Also bear in mind that different species are usually not mixed, as females of many species look very similar and are difficult to differentiate. As such, the dangers of hybridisation might occur, with sterile offspring being produced. And if such hybrids enter the aquarium trade, it might doom the species.
A. australe ‘gold’ strain, close up of the female.
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We hope to see more of these gems back into our tanks again. Happy Killie keeping! Pssst, from what we know, Green Chapter may be bringing in more Killies, check our directory for their contact to find out!
A. australe ‘gold’ strain. A male. This species contain 2 other colour strains, orange and chocolate, but the gold strain is the brightest in colour.
A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R H O B B Y I S T S
I N V E R T E B R AT E S S E R I E S
Breeding Crystal Red Shrimp I N V E R T E B R AT E S S E R I E S
By Alvin Chan Photographs by Alvin Chan 18
C. cantonensis. An almost white CRS. Notice the thick white colouration on its body. This is achieved through selective breeding.
A
fter knowing more about the miniature and delicate life of Crystal Red Shrimps in our previous issue, we felt a need to continue with the story and invited Alvin back again to share his experience on breeding these beauties! All the best for your CRS breeding plans. Being a selectively tank bred species, new hobbyists keen to attempt breeding the CRS in their home tanks have an uphill task at hand, as creating the ideal environment to induce breeding behavior in CRS can be as frustrating as searching for a needle in a hay stack. I hope the article will serve as the “magnet” to make your search just a little easier. SELECTING THE DESIRED TRAITS
Similar to selective breeding for any fishes, hobbyists wanting to breed CRS should have a desired goal in mind and plan accordingly. Most experienced CRS hobbyists keen to refine their livestock will consider the many aspects of a CRS before embarking on this attempt. Be it enhancing the intensity of the red or black areas (the Pure Red or Pure Black Lines), the coverage/ thickness of the white areas (the Mosuras), colouration on the walking legs of the CRS, or improving the overall size of the next generation, these have to be decided in advance. With the end result in mind, it will be that much easier to obtain the desired CRS. Do bear in mind that haste makes waste, so concentrating
on one, or at most two of the aspects helps to minimize disappointment. SIZE MATTERS
Improving the intensity of the colours, be it the red, black or white areas and colouration on the walking legs of the CRS is mainly a visual exercise. Hobbyists would have to select the individual CRS which conform to their ideal result. However, breeding for size is another matter. As continuous inbreeding (parent to offspring, sibling to sibling) of high grade CRS to maintain the colouration, often results in subsequent generations of CRS shrinking in size. Comparing the first generation CRS breeders with the fourth or fifth generations (with the age being held constant), the first generation will always be larger in size. This is due to the shrinking of the gene pool and experienced breeders will get around this problem by introducing a few CRS’ (usually of lower grades) into the breeding colony. The new introductions create diversity in the genes, hence improving the size of your CRS. PICKING THE HAREM
With the goal in mind, we can start on picking the sexual mix of the new breeding colony. As sexing of the CRS can only be done when they reach 1.2 to 1.5 centimetres, and only for the
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SIVE EXCLU TENT CON WEB
C. cantonensis. Notice the walking legs of the 2 CRS in the foreground. The one on the left shows an almost transparent set of walking legs, whilst the right CRS has a white banding on its red legs.
well trained eye, it would be beneficial to wait till the shrimps are about 2 centimetres in length. This is beneficial for two reasons - firstly, the chances of misidentification are reduced, as physical traits for the sexes are more developed (males having longer antennules, whilst females have shorter antennules). Secondly, a more developed female CRS is able to survive the strain of bearing eggs. A good sex ratio for a breeding colony would be one male to three females, where the chances of obtaining a successful pairing is high. The 1:3 ratio allows the male to find a compatible female and if possible, impregnate more than one female during the breeding process.
C. cantonensis. This CRS was specifically bred to enhance the redness of its walking legs. Low grade specimens tend to an almost transparent set of legs.
THE BREEDING GROUNDS 19
Although widely assumed a breeding colony requires a separate tank to be successful, the reality is that the current tank setup, i.e water temperature/parameters, is sufficient. Since your selected CRS have already acclimatised to the tank conditions, moving them to a new tank may cause them to adapt to the new conditions again, using up much precious time. A simple way would be to put in a partition into the current tank, creating a private breeding ground for the breeding candidates. The most simple and effective solution! KNOWING THE SIGNS OF BREEDING – SHRIMP DANCE
Prior to mating, you will notice that the male will be swimming in a frenzied manner, all over the tank! Do not fret as this is usually termed as the “Shrimp Dance”, which signals the start of the mating. Whilst the male is swimming around, the females are usually hidden away from sight. Leave them alone during this time and check back again the next day. Within 24 hours of the frenzied swimming occurring, the mating would have occurred and the female will come out of hiding, with its belly full of visible black eggs. This is termed “berried”. AFTER MATING AND BEFORE HATCHING – CARE AND MAINTENANCE
During the gestation period of about three to four weeks, it would be best to leave the female alone and stress free. Sticking to the usual regime of feeding and observing the CRS would be optimal, as this reduces stress to the berried female. If there are any external factors which stress the new mother, she may drop the eggs prematurely and cause the shrimplets to die. Do note that during this period, it would be best to maintain the usual water change regime. Water parameter changes or
C. cantonensis. The intensity of the black and white areas is a result of the breeder’s almost fanatical efforts in producing their ideal CRS.
chemical additions to the water may trigger moulting, forcing the still-developing eggs to be dropped! Feeding is to be carried out as per normal. There is no real need to increase the amount of food, which if left uneaten, may foul the tank water. SHRIMPLETS, SHRIMPLETS EVERYWHERE
By the fourth week, the eggs would have developed into tiny replicas of their parents and escaped from the female’s protective belly. During this time, the shrimplets would feed on the micro-organisms residing in the tank, but as they grow, it is advisable to purchase powder based ‘baby shrimp food’ for them. The specially formulated, highly nutritious food will provide the shrimplets with the appropriate nutrition for them to grow. Hopefully, they mature into your desired goals! Hope you enjoyed the read and I wish you the best of luck in breeding! Happy Shrimping!!!
A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R H O B B Y I S T S
F E AT U R E D F I S H
Chocolate Gourami
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S
ome fish that can sometimes be found in local fish shops are a little more interesting than the usual community tank fare we see. Due to its rarity and/or conservation status, and the Chocolate Gourami, Sphaerichthys osphromenoides happens to be such a fish. In total, there are four described species of the Chocolate Gourami, with S. osphromenoides being the nominate subspecies, followed by S. vaillanti (samurai gourami), S. acrostoma (giant chocolate gourami) and S. selatanensis (crossband chocolate gourami). DESCRIPTIONS
The Chocolate Gourami originates from Borneo, Malacca and Sumatra and is a maternal mouth brooder belonging to the subfamily Trichogastrinae in the family Osphronemidae. Just like all the other members of this family the Chocolate Gourami is an Anabatoid and thus possesses a labyrinth organ
OU DID Y ? KNOW
Although the Chocolate Gourami and the Samurai Gourami are in the same family, they have very different breeding habits. Female Chocolate Gouramis are the mouthbrooders, whereas male Samurai Gouramis are the mouthbrooders!
Just like its namesake, this cute and sweet little number warms hearts. By Keegan Gan With special thanks to Green Chapter and Mr Yong Poh Choon
that allows it to breathe atmospheric oxygen. The Chocolate Gourami gets its name from its primary body colour, and is decorated with several cream-coloured stripes on its flat oval shaped body that will change according to the mood of the fish. The fish maxes out at 5 cm in length, and with its small head and pointed mouth looks like a cute little piece of swimming confectionary. SEXING THE FISH
As the Chocolate Gourami is not sexually dimorphic, it can be hard to sex the fish, unless it is the breeding season. During the breeding period, males develop an unusually intense reddish body colour and display a creamy edging on his dorsal fin. The female has less dramatic colours but will develop a black breeding spot on her tail fin. Further, being a maternal mouthbrooder (females will keep the fertilized eggs in their
P O I S S O N PA S S I O N
F E AT U R E D F I S H
Sphaerichthys osphromenoides. The Chocolate Gourami is found nearer to home, in Peninsular Malaysia, and was even found in Singapore! Š Navin Chandra
F E AT U R E D F I S H
S. osphromenoides. The mottled pattern of this baby Chocolate Gourami enable it to hide from predators. © Yong Poh Choon
S. osphromenoides. Close up of a juvenile Chocolate Gourami ©Navin Chandra
mouths), the female Chocolate Gourami tends to have a relatively more pronounced throat “pouch”, as compare to the male.
F E AT U R E D F I S H
S. vaillanti. Excited by the tubifex worm meal, the Samurai Gourami displays its stunning colouration! © Navin Chandra
TANK SETUP & WATER REQUIREMENTS
Chocolate Gouramis are one of those fish that are sensitive to water conditions. As they reside in peat swamps and black water streams, that are soft in nature and darkly stained with decayed organic material, these fish would definitely require water conditions with similar conditions for it to thrive. Ideally the Chocolate Gourami habitat should be a planted tank with some floating plants to give some form of cover. FILTRATION NEEDS
S. vaillanti. The habitats of the Samurai Gourami is under threat from human development. © Navin Chandra
As a fish that resides in slow moving waters that is soft and acidic in the wild, the water that you should keep your Chocolate Gouramis in should be conditioned with black water extract, filtered through ketapang leaves. The filtration apparatus should not produce strong currents; a sponge filter or a small hang-on-back is most ideal. FEEDING
Being an omnivorous fish, the Chocolate Gourami will accept most types of feed. However, they require a well-balanced diet to remain healthy. Hence algae-based and meat-based feeds are essential. You can also give them small live feed when possible. Freeze-dried or frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms or daphnia are good alternatives when live feed is unavailable. AS A TANK MATE OR COMMUNITY FISH
S. osphromenoides. Close up of an adult Chocolate Gourami © Yong Poh Choon
S. osphromenoides. The Samurai Gourami, is found in the Upper Kapuas river basin, West Kalimantan © Navin Chandra
The Chocolate Gourami is a relatively sensitive fish; hence, great care needs to be taken when choosing its tank mates. Rambunctious fishes like Tiger Barbs and nippy Characins are best avoided, but placid Loricariids (plecos), playful shoaling Corydorids (corydoras) and some peaceful schools of Tetras, Danios and Rasboras can be potential tank mates. Generally they do best in pairs, or schools of their own kind. Avoid other species of Gourami, given their propensity to create tank conflict.
S. osphromenoides. Top view of baby Chocolate Gouramis. The water requirements make keeping Chocolate Gourami difficult, let alone inducing breeding behaviour! © Yong Poh Choon
A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R H O B B Y I S T S
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Pterophyllum altum. Shoal of healthy Altums acclimatised to local water
From the Amazon River to your tank:
Acclimatising your wild Altum Angels WAT E R M A N A G E M E N T
By Vincent Koh With special thanks to Cichlid Aquarium Supplies
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INTRODUCTION
B
race Yourself, Altums are finally here! Most fervent Pterophyllum altum (“Altum”) hobbyists would have marked the months of July to September as their busiest months for fish keeping, as that is when new imports of Altums start appearing in their usual LFS haunts . Bags of coin sized juvenile altums are laid on the floors of LFS, and before being released into the LFS’ tanks, they are quickly snatched up by eager hobbyists and promptly carted home ready for acclimatization. Weakened and stressed from their long flight from the Amazon River, these newly arrived Altums are notorious for being sensitive to slight water changes and inexperienced hobbyists attempting their hand at rearing these graceful angelfish are usually presented with a tank full of dead Altums and a couple of hundred dollars poorer.
In anticipation to this, we consulted an experienced Altum keeper, Eugene Yeo of Cichlid Aquarium Supplies, on the finer points of acclimatizing new Altums, sharing his experiences with our readers and perhaps give these fishes a fighting chance at survival! ITEMS TO PREPARE
Two feet bare tank pH and kH test kits Canister or sponge filter Air hose (about 1 metre) Water scoop or plastic bag Large pail or large styrofoam box Small powerhead pump (about 200L/hr) • • • • • • •
P O I S S O N PA S S I O N
WAT E R M A N A G E M E N T
Peat and “kH neutral” tank media to be placed in the fine meshed bag © Cichlid Aquarium Supplies
P. altum Once acclimatised, these Altums will awe admirers with their impressive finnage and colouration
A tank full of aged water ready to receive the Amazonian migrants! © Cichlid Aquarium Supplies
ACCLIMATISING
WAT E R M A N A G E M E N T
OU DID Y ? KNOW
Newly arrived Altums are left unpacked as atmospheric exchange tends to affect the chemistry of the water in the bag. If careful acclimatization is not carried out promptly for the Altums, the death rate is usually very high! Altums are also known as the “10% fish” in the ornamental fish trade.
PREPARING THE TANK
A clean, bare tank (depending on the quantity of Altums you will be having. Usually a two feet tank is sufficient) is set up 2 weeks before your Altums arrive. Do not include any media like coral chips, rocks or bio rings. The ideal is to achieve zero kH in the acclimatization tank (“Tank”). Fill the tank with water straight from the tap and the pH reading should be around 8 – 9 (this is the pH range of tap water for Singapore. Other regions may differ slightly). After 24 hours, the pH reading would be in the region of 7.3 - 7.6. To achieve the Altum’s preferred range of pH 4 – 5, soak a bag of peat (obtained from plant nurseries) in the Tank for a period of two weeks. Periodic test readings of pH and kH are to be performed every two days to ensure pH levels are declining and kH is maintained at zero. Why zero kH? In issue 5, we know that kH (or Carbonate hardness) refers to the ability to resist fluctuations in pH, or commonly termed as buffering ability. As the wild caught Altums require soft acidic water (pH 4 – 5), any media which contributes to buffering ability prevents a drop in pH. Hence, a zero kH tank environment would ensure your Tank water (with the help from the peat) to reach a range of pH 4 – 5. For filtration of the Tank, it is recommended to use an empty canister filter, with the media compartment filled in by the peat bag. If a canister filter is not available, a simple sponge filter would suffice. Ensure there is some circulation of the tank water to allow proper aeration.
The day has finally arrived and you have collected your bag/ bags of Altums, so what next? Before opening the bag, prepare a styrofoam box or a large pail and transfer all the contents into the pail. Thereafter, we will start the “dripping in” process. Use the power head to slowly pump the low pH fresh “aged water” into the Altumfilled pail. The desired effect is to have a slow flow of water dripping into the pail. The ideal mix ratio should be 70% bag water to 30% aged water and the “dripping in” process should take about 2 – 3 hours. This is the first step in the all critical acclimatization process! Useful tip: Have some methylene blue on hand and douse generously into the pail before releasing the Altums. The chemical tends to calm the fishes and will treat any external wounds found on them. TRANSFERRING TO THE TANK
Three hours have passed and the pail is close to overflowing. It is time to transfer your Altums to the tank. Use a water scoop and carefully scoop out the Altums into the prepared Tank. The bag which your Altums came in can be used for
A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R H O B B Y I S T S
CONSERVING THE PURE HARMONISING THE FUTURE
Dreamfish Inc (S) Pte Ltd 221 Neo Tiew Crescent Singapore 718831 T: +65 6862 9391 E: enquiry@merlionarowana.com merlionarowana.com
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WAT E R M A N A G E M E N T
Acclimatising Altums STEP 1
STEP 2
2-week-old aged water
Air tube to dripping water into the pail
Bag of Altums emptied into a pail New bag of Altums Canister filter filled with peat bag
STEP 4
STEP 3
Dose Methylene Blue if disease occurs
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Altums successfully acclimatised
Wrap tank with newspaper to help calm the Altums
SIVE EXCLU TENT CON WEB
this too, just give them a good rinse before using. Now that the Altums are properly acclimatized and swimming in the Tank, it’s time to take a short breather, but do not get too complacent, as there’s still some more work to be done.
CREATING A STRESS FREE ENVIRONMENT
Whilst you have successfully acclimatized the new Altums to the Tank water, they should be still jittery from their long journey over, and will get stressed easily when anyone approaches the Tank. One way to get them adjusted to the new surroundings is to ensure there is ample lighting around the Tank, to get the Altums used to the light and to prevent any sudden “shocks” to the Altums, cover the sides of the Tank with newspaper. This will greatly calm them down! Keep them in this setup for at least one month. QUARANTINE: MAINTENANCE AND DISEASE CONTROL
Water changes to the Tank is not necessary, however, do top
up the Tank regularly with aged water when the water level drops. During this crucial quarantine period which lasts about one month, the Altums should be fed a diet of good quality pellets and some greens like lettuce. This helps to purge their system. Most importantly, avoid feeding tubifex worms or blood worms to them, as these worms may introduce new parasites to the weak Altums. Any uneaten food or waste should be removed to prevent the water from fouling. Regular observations should be made to monitor if the Altums have contracted Columnaris disease (aka cotton disease). As this disease is highly contagious, especially for stressed fishes, and you can safely assume that all Altums in your Tank has been affected if one has it. Best course of action would be to perform regular water changes to improve water quality, and dose methylene blue solution for treatment. This is all there is to acclimatize your Altums, we hope that you have a successful community of Altums for your enjoyment and do share your pictures with us on the successful acclimatization. Happy Altums keeping!
P O I S S O N PA S S I O N
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NEW TO OUR SHORES
Latest products on sale ECO-SAND SYSTEM From S$680 for a 3ft by 2ft tank An interesting way of filtration has made its way into Singapore! Touted as a water purification system, the Eco Sand System promises to be highly effective in managing water quality in your aquarium or pond, by using proprietary technology to convert fish waste into harmless nitrogen. The system relies on cultivated live sand to act as a filter media, and the carefully managed water flow ensures optimal water circulation in the tank or pond to enhance the filtration.
In addition, Eco-Sand System has graciously informed that our readers are entitled to a complimentary first year maintenance package (priced at $280) when they mention Poisson Passion at the time of ordering. Where to Buy: Contact EcoSand Singapore @ 9191 1797 26
SPIRULINA PROBIOTIC STAR From S$18 for a 80g bottle It seems health foods are not just for humans anymore. Recently introduced to the aquarium hobby, Spirulina Probiotic Star (“SPS”) is being marketed as an organic fish food supplement, meant to boost the immune system of your fish pets. Produced by a group of scientists researching on the uses of algae for purposes ranging from biofuels to waste water treatment, you can set your mind at ease on the effectiveness of this supplement. Tested extensively on its efficiency as a food supplement, the producers have gotten robust results on the effectiveness of SPS to 1. Enhance growth and 2. Promote longevity, for your fish pets. All of these and it contains >52% protein content. What more can we ask for? Oh yes, it is surprisingly quite affordable too. Where to Buy: contact Algae Enviro-Engineering @ 8481 4323
MK BREED BLOOD DIAMOND From S$30 for a 200ml bottle No, we are not talking about the 2006 Leonardo DiCaprio movie here. This is actually an interesting water additive meant for CRS. Although described as a growth enhancer and mineral additive, the chitin component in the formula does work for ‘thickening’ the exoskeleton for the little invertebrates, as reported by hobbyists who had used it. Adding to the benefits would be the improvement in appetite and most important of all, prepare the males and females for breeding. Who can resist those shrimplets!? Where to Buy: contact Aquarist Chamber @ 6635 6041
P O I S S O N PA S S I O N
NEW TO OUR SHORES
The best feature would be its ability to produce clear, fresh, odorless water. We were invited by the owners of Eco-Sand System to test the ‘purified’ water by taking a sip direct from the tank. All we can say is that none of us suffered any diarrhea at the time of printing!
BEGINNER’S GUIDE
BEGINNER’S GUIDE
Knowing Your Fish Feed
27
High Quality Pellet / Flake food
Live Feeders
Prepared Foods
The cleanest, “healthiest” and perhaps the most cost effective way to feed your aqua pets. Most reputable manufacturers have jumped on the “healthy and nutritious” band wagon, and started putting in organic ingredients into their formula mix. A wide variety of pellets/ flakes are available, catering for specific fish species and sizes. Pellet/Flakes diets range from carnivore, omnivore to herbivores, and certain pellets cater for top dwelling fish (floating pellets for arowanas or bettas) and mid to bottom dwellers (sinking pellets for cichlids and plecos).
From the smallest daphnia (for fish fries) to bullfrogs (for monster fishes), these are the foods most easily accepted by all fish species, as their movements trigger the feeding instincts of your fish pets. Hobbyists keen on breeding their fishes will usually provide live feeders for conditioning purposes. Do be warned, as live feeders carry parasites and disease, which can pass onto your fishes.
The best of both worlds, providing much needed fish protein with a low risk of infection from parasites/disease! Most hobbyists tend to visit the fish market on a weekly basis to purchase prawns, small fishes and mussels caught fresh from the ocean to feed their exotic pets. These foods require some preparation work before feeding, i.e cutting up prawns or small fishes, for easier feeding. Smaller fishes are able to take the prepared foods as well, but more effort is required to mince the foods to bite sized pieces.
Please spare some effort in quarantining your live feeders before feeding.
The only problem is weaning your fishes on to this and may require some starving of your pet to encourage feeding.
The only problem is weaning your fishes onto the pellets/ flakes, as certain species prefers live foods to trigger their feeding habits!
A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R H O B B Y I S T S
DIREC TORY
NORTH
Aquamarin Aquatic pets 28 Jalan Selaseh 63837277 AquaStar 934 Yishun Central 1 #01-51-55 6759 3400 Green Emerald 166 Woodlands Street 13, #01-529 9398 4238 OC Aquarium 883 Woodlands Street 82, #01-500 8511 0125 Pisces Tropica 11 Chencharu Link 6481 6222 Seaview 2 Seletar West Farmway 2 6484 1365 Soon Heng Aquarium 716 Yishun St 71 6755 9769 Sun Pets and Aquarium 26 Seletar West Farmway 1 9851 1121 That Aquarium (aka Y618) 618 Yishun Ring Rd #01-3236 6758 5488
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EAST
Aquarist Chamber 787A Upper Serangoon Road 9145 9461 Aqua Empire 8 Pasir Ris Farmway 2 6583 3280
Malaysia Live Fish Store
Fishy Business 46 Sims Place #01-191 9825 9220 Forever Arowana/Blue Crystal Aquarium 22 Pasir Ris Farmway 2 Unit 6/7 9008 2298 Green Chapter 565 Macpherson Rd #01-00 6775 7376 JK Koi Centre 806 Upper Serangoon Road 9730 9176
Natural View Aquarium Blk 684 Hougang Ave 8 #01-953 9880 7003
Guppy Galaxy 65 Sungei Tengah Unit D 8181 1148
NKS Aquarium 211 Hougang St 21 #01-299 6288 1820
Hausmann Marketing Aquarium 291 Neo Tiew Crescent 6792 1318
Sam Yick Pets and Aquarium 82 Marine Parade Central #01-606/ 610 6344 3087
Hong Yang Aquarium and Pets Accessories 306 Choa Chu Kang Ave 4 #01-681 6893 5166
Superstar Aquarium 481 Tampines Street 44 #01-269 6588 3833
East Ocean Aquatic 22 Havelock Road #01-699 6275 9220
Striker Aquarium 244K Upper Thomson Road 90695608
18 Sin Ming Lane #08-32 9450 1581
Petmart Pte Ltd 151 Serangoon North Ave 2 #01-79 6289 6471
Glex Aquatics 80 Sungei Tengah Unit D 9798 9885
SOUTH
Fish Depot 5-1 Jalan PJU 1/3F, Sunwaymas Commercial Centre 47301 PJ Selangor 60 37886 7012
Nature Aquarium 1 Thomson Road #01-340 6255 6051
Mainland Tropical Fish Farm 1 Pasir Ris Farmway 1 6287 3883
Zion Koi 50 Lim Chu Kang Lane 9 9187 4588
KUALA LUMPUR
DJ Aquarium 7 Hougang Ave 3 6383 2726
Ban Hong Landscape 66 Sungei Tengah Unit D 9751 9180
TAS Aquarium 80 Sungei Tengah Road St 39 9236 3738
EAST
CRS Haven 477 Tampines Street 43 #01-158A 6783 3901
Kelson Betta Roxy Square 1 Shopping Centre #02-20 9338 3584
Rainbow Aquarium 78 Sungei Tengah Road 6769 7800
Singapore Dragonfish Farm 6 Lim Chu Kang Lane 9A 6515 3913
OTF 63 Pasir Ris Farmway 3 6584 7717
Ark Aquatics 80 Sungei Tengah 9712 7077
Qian Hu Aquarium 71 Jalan Lekar Sungei Tengah 6766 7087
JZX Pet Boutique 711 Ang Mo Kio Central 2 #01-3501F 6455 5675
AquaOne 22 Pasir Ris Farmway 2 Unit B1 9118 7837
NORTH-WEST
Max Koi 251 Neo Tiew Crescent 6862 6363
20 Lim Chu Kang Lane 6F 6794 1198
Madpetz Aquatic Supplies
K and K Aquarium 201D Tampines St 21 #01-1145 6784 4578
Iven Betta 96 Sungei Tengah Road 9069 3235 (Viewing by appointment only)
Serangoon Garden Market Stall 47 9002 9602
Stones Aquarium 24 Sin Ming Road #01-31 6554 4820
Service Providers NORTH
Allpets and Aqualife Clinic 219 Jalan Kayu #01-01 6481 3700/ 6753 7349 Elite Aquarium Tank Service 65 Sungei Tengah Road 9446 5883 EAST
SG Bros / Tank Junction 25 Ubi Road 4 #03-02 Weltech Industrial Building 8282 6116 CENTRAL
Tropical Fish International 1 Pasir Ris Coast Industrial Park 1 6584 0877
N3O Tanks 5038 Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2 #01-427 6481 2629
WEST
Arowana Avenue 328 Clementi Ave 2 #01-196 6777 7603 Clementi Florist and Aquarium (aka C328 Blk 328 Clementi Ave 2 #01-210 6777 8468 Poly Art 328 Clementi Avenue 2 #01-194 6775 4773
NORTH-WEST
Dream Fish Inc 221 Neo Tiew Cres 6862 9391
Panda Arowana 112 Neo Tiew Cres 6791 9029
Fishy Matters 114 Henderson Road
Bishan Aquarium 279 Bishan St 24 #01-54 9062 9755
WuHu Aquarium 71 Seng Poh Road 6227 0935
Blue Paradise 151 Serangoon North Ave 2 #01-194 6287 3988 Hobbyist Aquarium
Arowana Farms
Imperial Arowana Breeding Farm Pte Ltd 3 Lim Chu Kang Lane 6D 6515 4555
CENTRAL
KW Aquatic – KL 31, Jlan TSB 1, Taman Industri Sg Buloh 47000 Sungei Buloh, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia 603 6156 0396 My Aquarium S33, AEON Big Wangsa Maju, Seksyen 5 Wangsa Maju 53300 Kuala Lumpur 60 014 922 2791 R08 That Fish Shop 12 Jalan Pandan Indah 4/4 Pandan Indah 55100, Kuala Lumpur 60 016-9100466 JOHOR BAHRU
African Zone Aquarium and Pets 31 Jalan Indah 22/14 Taman Bukit Indah 81200 Johor Bahru 016 771 8511 Aqua Paradise Trading 43 & 43A Jalan Mutiara Emas 10/2 81100 Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru (along Jalan Mutiara Emas Puteh) 016 771 1741 Coral Aquarium & Tackle Centre 181 Jalan Pahlawan 1, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah 81300 Skudai, Johor Bahru 07 556 1084 Jurrasic Aqua Shop 182 Jalan Pahlawan 2, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah 81300 Skudai, Johor Bahru 016 716 2728
The Aquarium 70 Pasir Ris Farmway 3 9788 7575
Yun feng 824 Tampines Street 81 #01-12 9663 1546
Irene Aquarium 8-10 Jalan 21/22, Sea Park 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor 60 037874 8143
Pang Long / Singaro 191 Neo Tiew Road Raffles Arowana 203 Neo Tiew Cres TungHu Aquarium
P O I S S O N PA S S I O N
New Oasis Tropical Fish 8, 9, 11 & 12 Jalan Sri Mutiara 1, Taman Mutiara 81800 Ulu Tiram, Johor 07 861 2418 MALACCA
IKIA AquaPets No.1, Jalan IKS M7, Taman IKS Merdeka, Batu Berendam 75350 Melaka 60 6-337 2082 Jing Kang Aquarium Centre 3099 Pengkalan Batu, Bukit Sebukor 75150 Melaka 60 6232 4104 PENANG
Chiew Thean Yeang Aquarium 82 Burma Road, Georgetown, Penang 10050 Pulau Pinang 04 226 8797 KW Aquatic Supplies 506 Jalan Ayer Itam 11400 Penang, Malaysia 604 828 2613
DIREC TORY
Singapore Live Fish Store
THE C AUDAL
Editor’s Rant
THE C AUDAL
Why does my wild caught fish cost so much? Am I being taken for a ride? Are usually the first thoughts of hobbyists exploring the beauty of wild caught fish. Thereafter, will follow the dreaded words which LFS owners abhor from any customer: “Any discounts for this piece?” 9 out of 10 times a LFS owner will withhold their grimace and force out a feeble smile, hoping the buyer will not press on but alas the buyer usually does: “This fish’s fins are in tatters, can you let it go at a lower price?” Everyone is keen to add a rare and exotic fish to their collection but only a fanatical minority is willing to fork out the cash to obtain that unique specimen. And of course, everyone likes a good deal. Who likes to be taken for a ride? Truth be told, I was guilty of thinking these thoughts and uttering the same phrases without sparing much thought for the hard work and effort
put in by the LFS’ owners into bringing in rare, wild caught fishes. Seldom would hobbyists try to understand the arduous process which went into the importation process, and everyone gladly assumes wild caught specimens should cost only a fraction more than their captive bred relatives. My thoughts? Do your homework beforehand and go to a LFS that you trust. Truth be told, a good deal is where both parties comes out happy – So don’t expect to pay for a wild caught specimen at the price of a captive bred. There’s a reason why organic food costs so much (or at least that’s what my wife tells me). What do you think? Am I talking sense or nonsense? How much will you pay for an exotic fish? Send your comments and opinions to editor@ poissonpassion.com or leave them on our Facebook page!
Editorial Team PUBLISHER
Garnet Productions Pte Ltd CHIEF EDITORS
Vincent Koh, Valerie Lim CONTRIBUTORS
Zhuang Changzhong, Eugene Koh, Navin Chandra, Roy Pek GRAPHIC DESIGN
Qu’est-ce Que C’est Design Poisson Passion is published four times a year by Garnet Productions Private Limited. poissonpassion.com
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