[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
NFC: Darter tank setups/.... (fwd)
end
><>
J. L. Wiegert
www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/2308
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Dubotchugh yIpummoH. bI'IQchugh Yivang!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Native Fish Conservatory Mailing List (NFC at actwin_com) Administrator.
The list is also available in digest form (NFC-Digest at actwin_com).
To subscribe to this list, send mail to Majordomo at actwin_com with the
command "subscribe nfc" or "subscribe NFC-Digest" in the body. To
unsubscribe, send mail to Majordomo at actwin_com with the command
"unsubscribe nfc" or "unsubscribe nfc-digest" in the body. Feel free to
ask for help!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 1998 09:41:33 EST
From: Ellasoma at aol_com
To: nfc at actwin_com
Subject: Darter tank setups/....
Darters: Aquarium Designs And Care Guidelines
Ray Katula - Genoa, WI
Darters are the second largest family of North American fishes and only the
minnows (Cyprinidae) have more species. With 150 known darter species, their
diversity of form and color are enough to keep many hobbyists and biologists
forever content.
However, darters are not for everyone. Almost all require a substantial amount
of live food in their diet and cooler water to maintain their color and vigor.
With the right conditions, they are fairly disease resistant, and despite
notions to the contrary, easy to propagate in the home aquarium.
This article will attempt to detail aquarium designs and care and maintenance
methods applicable to the darter tribe, Etheostomatini, in the family Percidae
(freshwater perches). The information presented here is derived from over
twenty years of the author's experience in collecting, keeping, and spawning
darters.
Before getting to the heart of this subject, I would like to highly recommend
two books to the darter researcher or aquarist: Handbook of Darters by Dr.
Lawrence M. Page and The American Darters by Robert A. Kuehne and Roger W.
Barbour. Both books are very good, and it's difficult to recommend one over
the other. Although the books note that natural history is lacking for many
species, all available information was consolidated at the time of publication
and the reader can often generalize within some of the subgenus categories.
In order to better accommodate specific habitat needs of the various darters,
I will describe five aquarium designs. The 150 species naturally inhabit
nearly all the habitat types within their range. Lakes are perhaps the least
preferred habitat, however, tessellated darters (Etheostoma olmstedi) are
reported from lakes in the Northeast, Swamp Darters (Etheostoma fusiforme) in
the East, and Iowa Darters (Etheostoma exile) in the Midwest. Based on my
experience, swamps that host darters generally have some flowing water from a
nearby river or springs.
The habitat designs described below include: sand, pool, riffle, swamp, and
combination darter aquariums. Before dealing with specific strategies, some
general considerations need to be discussed:
Darters frequent rocks which may encourage aquarists to construct large rock
piles. If this is done, glue the rocks together with silicone and keep in mind
to design caves with ample space. Otherwise, dead fish or debris can become
lodged and unknown to the aquarist. If silicone is not used, rock slides are
inevitable from the constant and sudden movements of the fish. Ideally, it's
better to scatter many single caves around the substrate where entrapment of
fish is less likely.
Minnows can also be kept in the aquarium, but large numbers will consume most
of the food before reaching the bottom- dwelling darters. Feeding minnows
cheaper foods 15 minutes prior to feeding the darters helps insure the latter
are fed. Generally, small schools of minnows work best in a mixed community
aquarium.
Larger sculpins and madtoms are tough, belligerent fishes which should not be
kept with darters.
If filtration capacity allows, aggressive darters do best when slightly
crowded. Like African cichlids, one fish will not take over the whole
aquarium.
Common aquarium plants are recommended, but native plants have seasonal quirks
and can be difficult to maintain year-round.
Darters are very nervous fish which should have a full aquarium cover to
prevent jumping.
Start with more common species and build on your experience. Many darters are
threatened or endangered and we don't want to put them in further jeopardy.
Often aquarium journals advise not to use rocks unless purchased at a pet
shop. There is always some risk rocks can leach toxic substances. However, if
rocks come from water inhabited by darters, they're probably safe. Limestone
is a good candidate which is usually very common and also acts as a buffer
preventing the pH of aquarium water from becoming acidic.
Two methods of filtration are recommended: powerheads and outside power
filters. On a long tank, it's best to position the outside power filter on the
side of the aquarium, which will maximize water flow. The author prefers
powerheads which are used to create a stream aquarium. However, there are a
couple of drawbacks. Powerheads slightly raise water temperatures and when
fully submerged generate the most heat. Aeration is highly recommended either
using the powerhead accessory or an air pump. This will counteract low
dissolved oxygen levels occurring in warmer water and also provides surface
agitation.
I. Sand Habitat
Species: All Ammocrypta spp. (sand darters) & glassy darters (Etheostoma
vitreum).
Setting up a sand bottomed aquarium and making it attractive requires
ingenuity on the part of the aquarist. A sand tank is not necessary to keep
sand darters, but is recommended to duplicate the species habitat for
observing and/or studying natural behaviors (e,g,. breeding). One alternative
the aquarist may opt for is sectioning off an area of a larger aquarium and
incorporating a sand substrate into a regular darter community tank. This
micro-habitat can be created using aquarium silicone to bond rocks or pebbles
into a shallow wall or barrier. This works well, but over time the sand will
become inundated with gravel. After flushing out the sand darters, simply
siphon out the old sand and gravel and replenish with clean sand.
A whole sand tank will be easier to maintain, but various factors should be
taken into consideration. Undergravel filtration is virtually out of the
question. However, an outside power or canister filter will adequately keep
the water clean, but be sure the intake stems are well screened. Sand darters
are very skinny and can fit into some surprisingly small openings. They also
do not function as the best filtration medium. On small aquariums, a sponge
filter which is cleaned on a regular basis will suffice. Additional aeration
should be provided if there is little or no perceptible current circulating
through the aquarium.
Sand tends to compact itself. Uneaten food or other organic matter will often
(and quickly) turn the sand black which can create an anaerobic bacterial
bloom. One easy way to solve this dilemma is to add a small sucker
(catostomid) to the aquarium. The sucker's feeding activity will assure the
sand gets churned over and will effectively scavenge uneaten food.
Madtoms (Noturus spp.) are not always good tank mates because the skinny sand
darter can easily end up as food for a widemouthed ictalurid. Valisneria
plants located in the rear or side sections of the sand aquarium will add
subtle beauty to an otherwise dull tank. Sporadically placed rocks should not
hurt the sand darters, but are rare in the species natural habitat. However,
buried rocks would interfere with the substrate diving habits of the sand
darters. Once again, the casual keeper of sand darters will usually find it
unnecessary to maintain sand in the aquarium. The author has successfully kept
western sand darters (Ammocrypta clara) for over a year in a gravel substrate
aquarium.
II. Pool Habitat
Species: snubnose darter (subgenus Ulocentra), stippled darter (Etheostoma
punctulatum), and most Percina spp.
This is perhaps the most versatile of our proposed designs and should be at
least 20 gallons - larger is better. Aside from creating a pool effect, the
larger tank is necessary to accommodate the typically larger darter species
(e.g., stippled darters and Percina spp.). To facilitate keeping the midwater
darters as well as the bottom dwellers, smaller rocks and caves should be
landscaped in the front of the aquarium while leaving the upper levels free of
plants or rocks. Towards the rear, plants and/or rocks and driftwood could be
stacked to simulate a river bank. Currents should be moderate but not strong.
A bubble wand or other long airstone in the back will provide additional and
gentle aeration. In this type of set-up, it might be best to aim the powerhead
or outside filter outflow straight across the width of the aquarium. This will
hasten water movement, yet maintain a gentle flow through the main portion of
the tank. Some trial and error may be necessary to accommodate each species
preferences. Minnows work well in this design, but numbers should be kept to a
minimum which will assure darters receive their fair share of food. A school
of silversides (Atherinidae) makes a nice addition to the upper levels of the
aquarium. Plants will often occur in natural pools and positioning aquatic
plants to the rear or sides will enhance the natural decor. Aquatic plants
that do well in the colder aquarium include, but are not limited to: Elodea,
Valisneria, Java Fern, Bacopa, and some varieties of Echinodorus (Amazon sword
plants). Because a pool tank can be relatively large, many mini-habitats can
be provided such as a sand habitat in one corner. A careful positioning of the
water outflow will also create conditions favorable to riffle species as well.
III. Riffle Habitat
Species: Nothonotus darters: rainbow (Etheostoma caeruleum) and orangethroat
darters (E. spectabile), most Oligocephalus darters: saddled (E. tetrazonum),
greenside (E. blennioides), and banded (E. zonale) darters, etc.
Most darter keepers will select this design because of the multitude of darter
species preferring riffles. A larger aquarium equipped with equally large
powerheads may be used, but for the riffle tank, smaller is generally better.
A 10-26 gallon aquarium is ideal, however, this author has used plastic shoe
boxes with modified equipment quite successfully. Depth is not nearly as
important as horizontal space. If used in a small tank, a powerhead should be
the type that emerges out of the water because submersibles could warm water
to lethal temperatures. In larger aquariums, submersibles are rarely a problem
because heat generated from the pump motor is safely dissipated. With both
powerheads and outside power filters, direct the water outflow down the long
dimension of the tank. The bottom should be strewn with rocks forming caves.
The more the better as long as rock piling is limited. Very few aquatic plants
can withstand the onslaught of fast-moving water, but Cryptocorynes do well in
the riffle tank if temperatures do not drop below 60 degrees (F) for an
extended period of time. Fontinalis may grow well in the darter tank, but the
author's limited experience with this species has not met with great success.
In this design, the recommended minnows include Phoxinus (redbelly dace),
Rhinichthys, and Macrhybopsis chubs. Shale should be utilized when preparing
an aquarium for darters of the Catonotus subgenus (e.g., fantail and spottail
darters). Algae growth should be promoted when keeping darters that frequent
riffles with algae mats (e.g., greenside [Etheostoma blennioides] and banded
darters [E. zonale]). Many of the green darters will show enhanced coloration
when kept in a tank with lush algae. To provide such growth, good lighting
will be necessary. Choosing the right gravel substrate for any darter tank
requires forethought; too-dark or too-light will heavily influence darter's
color patterns and intensity. The commercial "natural" brands are best, but
personal taste will determine the choice (Note: natural gravels differ
regionally). In the riffle tank, use coarser grades of gravel which are
typical in these habitats. If undergravel filtration is used, the bottom layer
should be a standard grade of gravel and a larger grade and stones in the top
layer. The finer gravel will be necessary to provide an adequate filter bed
for nitrifying bacteria to thrive in. Additional aeration may be optional if
there is good water flow via the powerheads or outside power filter outflows
IV. Swamp Habitat
Species: Iowa darter (Etheostoma exile), swamp darter (E. fusi- forme), mud
darter (E. asprigene), johnny darter (E. nigrum), and several other Etheostoma
spp.
The swamp tank will most resemble the typical tropical aquarium (minus the
heater). The tank need not be large and 5-30 gallons will suffice. Thick plant
growth and pieces of driftwood will constitute the primary decor. Black gravel
substrate works best to depict a mud bottom. Sand is occasionally found in
swamp habitats and could be introduced whole or as part of the substrate
(refer back to sand habitat section). An abundance of rooted aquatic plants
should utilize and absorb most waste products from the sand. Undergravel or
canister filters will provide sufficient filtration. The force of outflow from
an outside power filter or powerhead in most situations would be too strong.
Since this setup calls for slow moving water, the choices of aquatic plants
will be much more extensive than for the other habitat designs. The one
limiting factor might be their over wintering tolerance. At room temperature,
cabomba, myriophyllum, anacharis, dwarf water lilies, cardamine, and many
others do well. Some duckweed floating on the surface can round out the
natural plant elements of the aquarium. Rocks are pretty much uncommon in
swamps and as natural decoration should be omitted or limited. If the use of
rock is still desired, two types are appropriate for the swamp tank: black
shale rock can be situated to blend in with the black gravel bottom. Petrified
wood is better yet and often imitates rotting wood. Driftwood often floats and
may have to be weighted or wired down. Recommended tank mates could include a
small school of some colorful southern minnow species, mudminnows, northern
redbelly dace (Phoxinus eos), or some mild-mannered native killifish.
V. The Combination Darter Aquarium.
This design combines elements of the first three strategies to accommodate
various species of diverse habitats. For obvious reasons, the swamp habitat
type cannot be incorporated. The combination of habitats will entail the use
of a larger aquarium and the standard 55 gallon is ideal. The positioning of
the water outflow over rocks scattered on the substrate yet allowing mild flow
through other portions of the aquarium will provide habitat conditions
favorable to both pool and riffle species. One optional alternative for this
design could include a sand corner addition for burrowing sand darters
(Ammocrypta ssp.).
Care and Maintenance
Overall, the same aquarium maintenance methods used on other native fishes can
be applied to the darter tank. However, water changes should be done more
frequently depending on temperature and filter effectiveness. If there is
undergravel filtration, stir the gravel during the water change. With the
present day use of chloramine and chlorine in many water systems, check with
the local water company to determine how to treat your water accordingly.
Chloramine is a very effective darter slayer. Airstones and diffusers should
be closely monitored because any loss in output could be disastrous under
crowded conditions. Filtration media should be changed regularly. Depending on
climate, the most difficult thing may be keeping the aquarium cool in summer,
and though not mandatory, over wintering in cooler temperature when feasible
will assure better spawning results in spring. Algae growth is not detrimental
and should be permitted wherever practical. The pH can vary, but slightly
alkaline water is the best bet if water from the collection site is not
available. Swamp species generally live in softer water at pH of 6.8-7.0. Rock
salt at a tablespoon for every 5 gallons of water is a good preventive measure
for many common diseases. The two most important things to remember are to
keep the aquari- um cool and change the water often.