THESE ARE THE STARS OF THE “BLACK WATER TANK” AT RAMSEY LEGACY MOVING
CELESTIAL PEARL DANIO
Danio margaritatus goes by many common names, such as galaxy rasbora and celestial pearl danio, because of the striking golden spots scattered on their dark bodies. They grow up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and feature bright, red-orange fins with black striping. Discovered in 2006, they come from Southeast Asia and live in shallow waters with dense vegetation.
LIFESPAN: 3-5 YEARS
SIZE: 0.75-1 INCH
DIET: OMNIVORE (ALGAE/VEGETATION, FLAKES, PELLETS, BLOODWORMS, BRINE SHRIMP, DAPHNIA)
WATER PARAMETERS: 71-78F, PH 6.5-7.5, WATER HARDNESS 1-5 DGH
NEON BLUE RASBORAS
Neon Blue Rasbora originate from the Greater Sunda Islands of Borneo and Sumatra. They are occasionally found in the Riau Archipelago and Bangka Island off the east coast of Sumatra as well. Within these regions, they inhabit black water streams, pools, and swamps that consist of aged forest peat. Their native habitats are currently under threat due to rubber and palm oil plantations, building development, and various other human activities.
These fish have amazing colors of blue, green, and red. The top half of their body is a shade of bright iridescent blue. The mid-lower part of their body is usually a reddish-copper color, and the rest of their body is quite transparent and clear.
LIFESPAN: 2-5 YEARS
SIZE: UP TO 1 INCH
DIET: PICKY OMNIVORES (WILL EVENTUALLY ACCEPT FLAKE FOODS,THEY PREFER LIVE OR FROZEN FOODS, DAPHNIA, BLOOD WORMS)
WATER PARAMETERS: 73-79F, PH 4.0-6.5, WATER HARDNESS 0-5 DGH
HARLEQUIN RASBORA
The harlequin rasbora is a native of Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, and southern Thailand. It inhabits streams and waters that are characterized principally by their low mineral content and high concentrations of dissolved humic acids, which is typical of water that flows through swamped forests. The waterlogged soils of these forests inhibit the complete decay of leaf litter, resulting in the formation of peat, which leaches humic acids. These conditions resemble those found in the blackwater habitats of South America.
LIFESPAN: 6 YEARS
SIZE: UP TO 1.75 INCHES
DIET: OMNIVORE (ALL FOODS, BUT PREFER LIVE, FROZEN OR FREEZE DRIED FOODS, FLAKE FOODS, BRINE SHRIMP, WORMS)
WATER PARAMETERS: 73-82F, PH 6.0-7.5, WATER HARDNESS UP TO 12 DGH
RED LIZARD WHIPTAIL
The Red Lizard Catfish (Rineloricaria sp.), also known as the Red Whiptail Catfish, is a member of the Loricariidae family of South American suckermouth catfishes. While many suckermouth catfish species have yet to be bred on any major scale in aquariums, the Red Lizard Catfish has been bred by a few farms. This fish is highly unique with its very thin, twig-like appearance. The origins of this fish are mysterious and undetermined. Most believe that it may be a man-made hybrid, and all specimens in the aquarium hobby are tank-bred. It is suspected that one of the parent species of this fish might be Rineloricaria lanceolota, but this has not been solidly determined.
The Red Lizard Catfish is primarily nocturnal, but will often become active during daytime hours once established in an aquarium with plenty of driftwood, rockwork, and other hiding places. It is not known to eat wood heavily like some suckermouth catfish (Panaque sp., etc.), but it may benefit from some supplementary wood (or rather the biofilm on driftwood) in its diet.
LIFESPAN: 5-8 YEARS
SIZE: UP TO 4.4 INCHES
DIET: OMNIVORE (MEATY LIVE/FROZEN FOODS, FRESH VEGETABLES, BIOFILM, SINKING FOODS)
WATER PARAMETERS: 75-84F, PH 6.0-7.5, 2-15 DGH
ROYAL BLUE GOURAMI
Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius), formerly known as Colisa lalia, are majestic looking freshwater fish native to the slow-flowing rivers, ponds, rice fields, and lakes of Southern Asia. However, now they can also be found in the USA, Singapore, and Colombia.
You might also know that Gouramis are included in the Anabantiformes order (or labyrinth fish order). Members of this order have a unique lung-like organ that allows them to breathe oxygen straight from the air.
These are schooling fish and prefer to stick together when possible. That way they feel more comfortable and secure. Most of the time they can be found in the middle or top level of the tank. Even in a group they still swim quite slowly and often hide around.
LIFESPAN: UP TO 5 YEARS
SIZE: 4-4.5 INCHES
DIET: OMNIVORE (FLAKES, PLANT BASED FOODS, INSECTS)
WATER PARAMETERS: 77-78.5F, PH 6-8, WATER HARDNESS 10-20DGH
VENEZUELAN CORYDORA
The Orange Venezuelan Cory Catfish (Corydoras aeneus “Venezuela”) is a natural geographic color variant of the ever-popular Bronze Cory Catfish. It develops increasingly bright orange coloration along its back as it matures. This orange creates a very striking contrast with the metallic blue-green coloration along the sides of the body of the fish. This variant is not often available and can sometimes demand a high price.
The Orange Venezuelan Catfish is a very peaceful schooling fish that is compatible with most nano aquarium animals, including dwarf cichlids and angelfish. It might prey on some smaller dwarf shrimp, but is safe with larger shrimp and most other peaceful ornamental invertebrates. It is a classic scavenger and will inhabit and feed at the aquarium floor, which should be comprised of sand or smooth gravel. Very coarse substrate can damage its delicate barbels and underbelly, so it should be kept in an aquarium with sand or very smooth gravel substrate.
LIFESPAN: UP TO 10 YEARS
SIZE: 1-3 INCHES
DIET: OMNIVORE (FISH FLAKE, ALGAE/VEGETATION, BLOODWORMS, BRINE SHRIMP)
WATER PARAMETERS: 72-82F, PH 6.0-7.5, WATER HARDNESS 2-15 DGH
OTTO CATFISH
The otocinclus, also known as the otocinclus catfish from the Loricariidae family are a species of freshwater catfish indigenous to South America. They are also referred to as otto fish or ottos fish or with the spelling variation of oto fish. They also have an unofficial name called “dwarf suckers”. This has to do with their sucker-shaped mouths designed for them to feed on algae.
Since they are algae eaters, they are often added to a freshwater aquarium to help clean up the tank. Another amazing thing about the otocinclus is it’s a relatively low maintenance fish. Low maintenance usually equates to easy care and a suitable species for beginner aquarists. Otocinclus catfish like to dwell at the bottom of the aquarium so they are creatures that are easily hidden. Thanks to their markings, they can also easily blend in with the substrate.