Soooooooo it's been a while since I last updated on this tank. About 5 months actually! I was typing this message up just a moment ago and the site crashed, so I'll cut it a bit shorter this time.
First off, I finally got around to getting a wide range pH test (fluval). Turns out I have a pH of 5-5.5! Explains why I lost 2 of my 3 SAE (R.I.P. Watson and Holmes). I think I'll put a bit of crushed coral in the filter to bring this up a bit, but keep it below 6. I like it below 6 because my apistos like it! They've been breeding since the first batch, over 5 months ago, and I'm so stoked about it! I reckon I have maybe 100 fry and juvies in the tank now. The oldest (5 month olds) are colouring up, and I can sex them easily. One of my males looks incredible! I'll get a shot of him when I can. Actually, I was in the middle of writing this the first time when I realised more eggs hatched today!!! I had noticed the female let go her youngest fry a week ago, and started guarding her cave again. They're now breeding in a cave a friend from my lfs made for me, and I'm pretty happy about that. Gonna have to let him know next time I'm there. He's the one who sold me on these guys to begin with! Anyways, newborn fry always put a smile on my face. Likely the youngest I've ever seen them, really! All huddled together while mum chases away everything she sees
Besides the loss of 2 SAE, all my other fish are doing fantastic! Female endlers finally stopped dropping fry, after being isolated from males for 6 months ? and my largest calico BN, Jimmy Recard (named after a song I love by Drapht - can't give a fish a name like boring old Paul ?) is colouring up really well! Maybe if they and my longfin are opposing sexes, I can breed the two!
And just seeing the last discussion on this topic, just wanting to say @jayc unfortunately I've never had the chance to set up live BBS for my fry, but they seem to have done well without. I just can't source cheap eggs!
My BBA problem is nearly gone, thanks to less light, Flourish Excel and my Algae Eaters. So happy to see it gone.
Lastly my male pseudomugil has been flaring and dancing at my endler females... confused little guy! Hopefully it means when I move him and his girl to their own tank, I can get some breeding action! Two lovely fish, absolutely can't wait to see how they act and colour for breeding!
Thanks for reading this little essay ?
-Crabby
edit: will add pics...