My 55 gallon freshwater tank {dialup warning}

[TheMagickSprite]

Here's my Dempsey tank, I added some silver dollars today as dither fish to occupy the male dempsey so he doesnt get to aggressive to the female and it worked like a charm!  They are madly in love again    (He was previously driving her bananas after I removed the babies)

It was pretty hard shooting the dempseys as they wanted to hide in their dens but thought Id share a few pics.

BB Sprite

[AlisonNetherland]

Sprite...why is there a headless torso in your 55 gallon freshwater tank?

[Suzie Q]

Ali LOL!

Sprite the tank is beautiful and I imagine very restful to watch and be near.  Do you have the sound of water as well?

[TheMagickSprite]

Ali... cuz thats just me

Suz... yep got 600 gallons an hour filtering in that tank, sounds like a small stream

I must confess im embarrassed that I had the black backing off lol

BB Sprite

[Suzie Q]

I adore the sound of water, and the colours in and around your tank are very restful.  I love it!

[TheMagickSprite]

Thanks!

I'm happy they are "suitable" as a mated pair  (some kill each other in this species) and I had help from some Dempsey breeders on what to do to fix the situation (mix up the tank and add dithers)

But yep, as I am about to retire, its a very peaceful tank with two loving dempseys.  I am happy.  They were at war, now again they love each other.  He just needed to shelve his hormones a bit   The silver dollars keep him doing that.

Cant wait til they get 8-12 inches.  Gonna have to get a 125gallon or bigger then.  Really cool species to keep.  If you have the patience and hair to pull out to get a mated pair, it really pays off   They are about the smartest fish I've ever kept and somewhat nasty as well.  They arent even half grown and their intelligence is obvious.

Its wild, I fish for trout in the mountains and I keep these and they make me understand fauna even better.

Go nature.

BB Sprite

[Suzie Q]

I didn't realise that they would fight each other.  Not as bad as those Eastern fighting fish I hope!  So what is the secret how did you manage to get them to love each other?

I think what is so wonderful about your tank is how you have set it up, the colours blend well with your fish and it has the overall look of completion of a job well done, very professional.   Are silver dollars also fish?  If so that would give the grumpy male something to think about 

I grew up in the mountains with trout freely available in all our crystal clear streams, with huge forests - it was an incredible way to live, and I wish all children could have a chance to grow that way, it makes you less confrontational, and gives one a feeling of absolute love of nature.  Oh my there I go again, assuming all people would love the countryside..........

[TheMagickSprite]

yes the point of introducing the dollars (yes also fish, the silvery fish) is to give the male dempsey something to chase instead of his wife.

You see, dempseys are very very agressive maters and I dont want him killing her, so I introduced another very healthy, hardy fish (like these silver dollars) in a school so he has something (safe) to take his aggressions out on other than the mother of his children .... again that can take it easily

It works and the dollars can not only outrun him but take his abuse.  Fortunately, he has not of yet given them any, but he sees the school of dollars as a reason to pair and live with his wife.

A good thing.

Complicated species.  I'm just trying to keep them mated after the 1st spawn which looks A-OK now

Working so far, Im very happy!

BB Sprite

PS> BTW thank you for the compliments!  Come over and have some tea Suz

PPS> My children grew up that way Suz.  The "countryside" is a wonderful place to grow up.

[Suzie Q]

I have always felt the "Tom Sawyer" lifestyle is always beneficial to all our species, and I have yet to be proved wrong.  Your young-uns must be wonderful!

Yes a cup of tea would be wonderful - with some apple pie, we could put our feet up and enjoy the fish! 

I gotta go shopping now - no not for fish......

[Citrine_Imix]

I think you would agree here Sprite, having such a passion for..fish (lol) (and your photography is marvellous) is that you are essentially not looking after the fish, you are looking after the water, and thats the secret to having a large tank that filters so many gallons, you have to be good at looking after the water, the fish will take care of themselves!
BB

[TheMagickSprite]

Suz - Pie anytime, we both have such an affinity

Citrine.  YES!  Its ALL about the water   although in this case its abit more about how to get Mr from abusing Mrs whilst love abounds.  (after the WATER)

Dempseys can be a pain in the arse to breed.

Done tho once, done thrice as easy I'd say.

BB

[Mx31J]

Seeing these guys makes me sad that we just sold our 55 gallon tank.  We've NEVER done as beautiful a job as you, Sprite, but it was pretty.  Alas, we live off grid, and it was sucking too much power.  I cannot believe how much the power consumption went down!

Absolutely incredible photography.  Very pleasing.

-Mary

[Polaris]

Great photos Sprite...Thank you for that,. I can imagine the serenity of laying in meditation and listening to the water ...I would like to invest in a fish tank with some beautiful creatures of my own. But, that will be for a later time...Tell me one thing, Is caring for the fish tank very time consuming and costly?..My hubby thinks it is, therefore does not want to get one, But, I have never had one...So, I cannot defend against it.

[Wiccawise]

SOOOOO pretty!!! Just looking at that makes me feel calm!

[TheMagickSprite]

Great photos Sprite...Thank you for that,. I can imagine the serenity of laying in meditation and listening to the water ...I would like to invest in a fish tank with some beautiful creatures of my own. But, that will be for a later time...Tell me one thing, Is caring for the fish tank very time consuming and costly?..My hubby thinks it is, therefore does not want to get one, But, I have never had one...So, I cannot defend against it.

I have five tanks, and one fry tank.  It does take a bit of time out of the day for sure.  The fry tank requires two partial water changes a day and four feedings per day.   Cost isn't a factor, once you have everything set up however.  The bigger the tank, the less time it takes to maintain.  (larger bodies of water are easier to maintain the temp, ph, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates etc)

BB Sprite