Rudolf, the Rummy Nose Tetra

Since the tank has somewhat stabilized after the renovations, we went to the fish shop to check out for some new additions for the fish tank. We got a new plant (not sure of the name, see pic), 10 x Yamato shrimp to help eat up the hair algae, 2 new Otos to keep the lone one company and 3 x Rummy Nose to add to the small group of Rummy noses. So now there should be enough to pull a sleigh :D.

Unfortunately we didn't realized till we got back that one of the Rummy Nose had white spot @ Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifilis). It's a parasite that burrows into the skin of it's victim, feeding on blood and dead epithelial cells. The irritation caused by the burrowing parasite causes the skin of the fish to swell and produce white cysts seen as a small spots. Fishes are more susceptible to it when under stress or living in unhealthy coniditions, or when the temperature is colder.

I didn't realize what it was till Jacob pointed it out to me, and by then we had already released the fish into the tank. However, some fish owners say that once it runs its course, the fish will be fine, so I decided to let the fish be. It infected another one of the new Rummy Nose, but yesterday once the temperature increased we didn't see anymore white spots (yay!) so I think the fish will do fine.

Another unfortunately, the Otos weren't so lucky and both died. One died just after I think as we didn't see it around after that. We saw the dead body of the other yesterday afternoon. I think Otos are quite sensitive, so I think I won't try to add anymore into the tank.

The Yamato shrimp however have been hard at work, and there has been a obvious decrease in the hair algae (another yay!). It's quite amazing to see how strong these shrimp are, as they can fight with the fish for food and always attempt to drag the food into a corner for themselves. Greedy manz...

Greedy Yamato @ Amano Shrimp (Caridina japonica)

One of the Pygmy Cory died too :(. So we're left with one lone one. Maybe will try to get it some friends :). I haven't identified the new plants in the tank yet, but will do a post of it once i've figured the names out. In the meantime, Merry Christmas!