Dither Fish

From Wikipedia, "Dither Fish" means an arbitrary group of aquarium fish used by cichlid keeping aquarists to reduce innate timidity in some species of cichlids. This technique relies on the ability of cichlids in an aquarium to use the behaviour of other fish species as a measure of environmental security.

So this basically means cichlids such as my kribs will only feel safe when they see some fish swimming in an open area and nothing bad happened to them. No wonder before I got the dither fish, they were so shy and always hiding.

After I got some black neons and cherry barbs as the dithers, I notice my kribs are more adventurous in coming out and play.

New Tank Setup

I have given away all my goldfish and started a new tank setup. This time around, I am keeping cichlids. After doing my research on this for a while, I have decided to settle for kribensis cichlid (or just "kribs").

Cichlids like places to hide and feel safe. So I bought some rocks to make caves, some fake plants and fake hollow tree root. Thanks to my fishnut colleague, I got some real four leaves clover as well.





My kribs are still pretty shy. They are always hiding behind the plants, in the fake hollow tree root, under the Japanese lantern or in the caves. Hope they will feel more comfortable soon to come out and play.

Suckers

Lately I have been neglecting my fish tank for a while. Haven't done any maintenance on it for the past 2 weeks and algae had started to grow. However not to worry, all my 6 goldfish are in pink of health.

So when my major fish nut colleague told me he wanted to go to a fish shop during lunch today, I volunteered to accompany him. My motive was to buy a pair of suckerfish which we usually refer to as DBKL. As many people misunderstood, this type of fish does not eat shit.... just like DBKL doesn't clean your shit for you. Instead they eat algae and leftover fish food, thus helping to keep the tank clean....the suckerfish I mean!

There are a few type of suckerfish, the most commonly sold ones in KL are Plecostamus, Siamese Algae Eater and Otocinclus. Plecostamus can grow very big and they look horrendous. As for Siamese Algae Eater, I read that they are not very friendly with goldfish. So that left me with only 1 choice, the Otocinclus or fondly referred to as Oto (just because we do not know how to pronounce the rest of its name).

I got a pair of them for RM3.80 each to help me keep my tank clean.

When I got home and wanted to put them into my filthy tank, conscience (yes, I do have them) came over me. So I just put myself in action and clean the tank. Again, my tank is back to its splendour self. Aaaahhhhhh..... However I did not forget to leave some algae there for my 2 new friends.

Then I dropped these 2 suckers in and they seemed to adapt themselves pretty well. My goldfish have to learn though...that these are friends and not moving food. I did see one or two of my goldfish chasing after the 2 newcomers. I wouldn't worry much about it anyway as the Otos would not be able to fit into the goldfish's mouth.




I know, they are not pretty to look at... but they are functional. Not everything is about looks... or youth... or clear complexion... or fit body, okay?! Oopss...getting a bit carried away there.

Do fish sleep?

Question: Do fish sleep?
Answer: Yes

According to Cambridge Dictionary, sleep is defined as the resting state in which the body is not active and the mind is unconscious.

So although you don't see fish closing their eyes, they do sleep. They just don't have eyelids to do the eye closing thing.

For my fish when they sleep, they just float on the surface of the water. They usually do this in the morning and are all active at night.

3 gold, 2 white and 1 black

Here are the latest pictures of my fish community.
I now have 6 of them- 3 gold, 2 white and 1 black.

Fish Tank Maintenance

Maintaining a simple fish tank doesn't have to take so much time and effort. For my tank, I usually do it once a week and it doesn't take me more than 30 minutes each time.

I have this covered big pail to keep the tap water for a few days before I use it for my tank. So on the maintenance day, I will take the water out and put it into a smaller clean pail which is never used with any detergent. This is to avoid any harmful residue seeping into the water.

I will add in a capful of anti-chlorine and 2 spoonful of tank conditioner salt. Apparently adding the salt (not those that you use for cooking, please!) will help to avoid some common fish diseases such as ick and fungus. I let the water sit while I go empty part of my tank.

I will turn off the filter and then using the siphon, I take out part of the tank's water with the fish wastes accumulated at the bottom of the tank.

Do not empty the whole tank as you need those beneficial bacteria to remain!! I usually will only take half of the water away.

Next I will wash the filter with running tap water before putting them back.

Then it's the time to replenish the water. I use a scoop to add in the "new" water by pouring them onto the roof of my Japanese lantern tank decoration. This is so that the gravel is not stirred up by the incoming water.

Then I turn on my filter and DONE!

Serenity

Looking at fish swimming in a nice clean fish tank can actually bring serenity... well at least to me. I need to spend more time in front of my fish tank instead of in front of my TV or laptop, especially after the doctor told me that I might have hypertension. Damn!... must be that stressful week (here, here and here) I had.

Update from the Fish Tank

The first goldfish I got for my tank died of fungus infection a week ago. I guess that's the problem with buying unhealthy fish from those not well maintained fish shops. After the demise, I changed almost all of the water from my tank, and added in 2 new fantail goldfish from Taman Megah's pet shop.

These 2 are still thriving and looked pretty healthy and active.

Fish Tank Resurrected

Got my fish tank set up during the weekend.

Lets see how much I have spent on this so far:

• Tank: RM0 (old tank)
• Silicone Sealant: RM7.50
• Lamp: RM0 (old lamp)
• Metal Stand: RM50
• HOB Filter: RM35
• Anti-chlorine: RM1
• Gravel(5kg): RM17.50
• Backdrop: RM6
• Fish Food: RM6
• Decor: RM16
• Goldfish: RM3
  
  TOTAL: RM142

The result:

Currently I have only 1 goldfish in there. Slowly I will add more to accompany it. My target is to have 4 goldfish.

So far am loving it!! I find the sound of running water really soothing.

Now, I am going to sit back and wait for wealth and abundance to come in ... ;-p

Feng Shui and Fish Tank

Feng Shui when direct translated means Wind and Water. It is an ancient Chinese art of correct placements for furnishings and decor. The practice is based on methods for retaining the positive energy “Qi” which is said to be beneficial for well being. Wind is the force which removes the "Qi" while water promotes the retention of the energy.

I am not exactly a feng shui practitioner. I take the approach of if I can follow it, then I will do it... but if it requires a lot of effort and money, then I will just ignore and hope for the best.

Anyway in my recent interest in setting up a fish tank in my apartment, I thought I will do some references to find out what feng shui has to say about having a fish tank at home.

Well...apparently water features such as fountains or fish tanks when placed correctly can bring wealth and abundance. Oh...I definitely am desperate for those!!!

Some of the feng shui guidelines from the net:

• The best locations for placing the fish tank is in the North wall or along the South East wall.
• When you stand at the main entrance facing out, the fish tank should preferably not be placed on the right side of the home (interior)
• Avoid placing a fish tank in any bedroom or in the kitchen. Generally, it should be placed in the living or sitting room.
• The fish tank must not be at the centre of the home.
• The best shape for a fish tank is rectangular or round. Avoid a triangular fish tank as it represents the fire element. (fire is incompatible with water).
• For the leg stand of the fish tank, one advice is to paint them in the colour of the location. For example, if the fish tank is at the East wall, it can be green/dark green. If it is at the North, the stand can be black/grey/blue. If it is at the west, it can be white or gold.
• Best to keep 1, 4, 6 or 9 fish.

Based on these guidelines, I have an idea on where is the best location for my tank. It will have to be next to my couch as it is the North wall and there is a power point there.

Oh, I also read that if within 4 months since putting your fish tank in that location and things go from bad to worse, then it's time to move it!

Fish Tank Resurrection

Yes, I have finally decided to resurrect my fish tank. After being influenced by my fish nut colleague whom I "converted" last time, I am going to start up my empty tank again.

You see, I was a fish nut long time ago and was responsible in introducing this hobby to my colleague who went on to become a major nut.

Me on the other hand, stopped fishkeeping after moving to my apartment. I kept hamsters in the tank instead.

After my hamsters died, the tank was just left sitting in my study room.

So a week ago, I bought the silicone sealant to reseal the corners of the tank as most of them were already bitten off by my hamsters last time.

I procrastinated in doing the sealing until a few days ago. It's not easy at all to carry out this task. You have to press the sealant tube with consistent pressure as you move along the corners. I did a very lousy job on this one. I now have new respect for those people who make fish tanks for a living.

Then I left it to dry for a day or two before putting it through a "leak test". So currently it is sitting in my bathroom while I monitor the water level. I guess tomorrow I will know whether this tank is fit enough for me to proceed.

If it is, my next step is to get the stand, filter and gravel; and set up the tank before welcoming the fish.