Tank Journal Archive

Dr. Schell · Jan 5, 2012

In the process of up-loading a video of the "incomming tide" in this tank.
For those interested in mudskippers the following website is very useful in terms of providing biological information related to mudskippers, including reproductive biology. It also has excelent photo galleries and you will be able to see what it is that I am trying to reproduce.

http://www.themudskipper.org/

Dr. Schell · Jan 5, 2012

I have attached a link to a video of the "incomming tide" for this tank. The video is in real time and begins at the lowest tide level and quickly reaches the high tide level. When the high tide is reached, the surface is skimmed and thus ensures that no oils or algae remain on the surface film of the water.

Josh M · Jan 5, 2012

damn that fish goes mental when the water gets deep !!

Dr. Schell · Jan 5, 2012

yes, despite them being fish, the mudskippers don't like being in water.

jashay · Jan 5, 2012

cool as doc! my bro had some mudskippers in his shop for a while, Im pretty sure he sold them with the setup. he never kept them in a brackish system though I dont think. I couldnt even tell ya the sci. name for them as its been that long since he had them. his system was no where near as ellaborate as yours though he wasnt trying to get them to breed either. I look forward to seeing how you go with this, as it has been said I am sure if any one can do it, your the man to do so!
I love archer fish too, its really cool when you can get them to start shooting their prey, we had one in a display tank at the shop and it was a voracious feeder, was about 10cm long but would easily knock off 20+ crickets in a single go, 2-3 times a day. one of the regulars had a fairly large one (think it was around 25cm +) and he said it was eating cockoroaches around 5cm + aswell.

good luck with the breeding again, I will follow this thread with interest. Im sure you will let us know how your going and the stages they go through.

Dr. Schell · Jan 5, 2012

thanks for the comments. I too love the archers and their only vice is that they become too large to be kept indoors for any lenght of time. As this one grows, it will be moved into an outdoor enclosure that houses my 2 Australian Watergragons. This little archer is often shooting down prey from the mangroves. When I return home next week, I will take a video of it doing so and will post it on the forum. Archers are another species that I would like to breed, and to my knowledge, only the freshwater species (not the species that I currently have) have been sucessfully bred and raised in captivity (by an australian aquaculture firm).

MagicJ · Jan 5, 2012

This is an impressive setup Chris - what size is the tank?

Dr. Schell · Jan 6, 2012

Only small - 80cm wide, 30cm deep and 60cm high

192k · Jan 6, 2012

I have always wanted a tank with Archers.

You have done so well to re-create the environment for the skippers.

Very impressed with the whole system :)

Dr. Schell · Jan 6, 2012

many thanks ;). Not really that hard to do, just had to think about what had to be done and then work out how to do the tides.

MagicJ · Jan 6, 2012

It looks like there is no water flow through the tank at low tide - is that correct?

Dr. Schell · Jan 6, 2012

yes, no water flow at low tide (just like in nature) but lots of water flow at high tide (2000L/Hour). Basically this is to replicate the pools that remain on the mudflats and then the flow replicated the tidal innundation. Given the large surface area/small volume during the low tide phase, the archer is not in danger of oxygen depletion.

WoodyMackay · Jan 6, 2012

The little biotope you have created is amazing, you should be proud! i wouldnt think of trying to copy incoming/outgoing tides, but you have done well!

VaultBoy · Jan 6, 2012

This made me think of another mudskipper tank I used to follow on a planted tank forum from the US.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/t...dskipper-paludarium-alternative-solution.html

Check this out its a spectacular setup.... Doesnt have tides though!

Dr. Schell · Jan 6, 2012

OMG, that is absolutly fantastic. Makes mine look very humble in comparison!

VaultBoy · Jan 6, 2012

dr_schell said:
OMG, that is absolutly fantastic. Makes mine look very humble in comparison!

Yeah but you have tides!

MagicJ · Jan 6, 2012

Thats a great link VaultBoy ;)

VaultBoy · Jan 6, 2012

www.plantedtank.net is a great forum/community for freshwater enthusiasts! I was a regular on there before I was bitten by the salty bug!

SantaMonicaHelp · Jan 7, 2012

Really nice tank! Love it!

brendore · Jan 8, 2012

Awesome set up dr_schell :) I envy your creativity :rolleyes