How to Setup a Mini Aquarium with Mudskipper Paludarium and Dwarf Cichlids
By: Stephen M. Seabrook
Aquarium tanks that hold between 15 - 40 liters (4 - 10 gallons) of water are considered miniature aquariums or mini-tanks. This is not an ideal aquarium for children or beginners, and will require a bit more work than a larger aquarium to maintain great water quality.
There are specific problems with the water in a mini-tank because it becomes murky much more quickly and needs more frequent changing than a larger tank. However, one of the advantages of the mini-tank is the limited amount of water. When you want a tank that requires very expensive soft water, the mini-tank is the ideal solution. Fish that depend solely on live food are more easily kept in a miniature tank, as live food is not always available year-round.
With a smaller tank, you can be more selective about the amounts you feed. You need to remember that the smaller amounts of water required in these miniature tanks are not as constant as the larger amounts in standard aquariums.
Stocking a miniature aquarium can be a great deal of fun, as there are some fish that are so small they would virtually disappear in a large aquarium. Some of these miniature aquatic denizens include:
*Heterandria Formosa: As a rule, they only grow to about 3 cm, with the male being 1 cm shorter than the female. These tiny fish are much happier in a dedicated aquarium like the miniature tanks that we are discussing here.
Delicately branched plants such at the Myriplhyllum or Caboma are ideal here, as it allows you to easily view your "killifish." They should be given crumbled dry food and offered brine shrimp between feedings. Water temperature and light are not a big consideration for these live bearers, and their young will grow up just fine without our help.
*The everglades pygmy sunfish, or Elassoma evergladei have the same minimal demands as the previously mentioned killifish, but eat only live food. These young will grow up without our intervention. The black males with blue spots are very captivating during their courtship dances.
These are just two of the fish that will thrive in a small aquarium with little or no additional lighting and heat.
A Paludarium for Your Mudskippers
A pauldarium is simply an aquarium that also has land and roots for the mudskippers to climb on. To set up this tank, you need to keep it simple so it is easier to maintain. An aquarium with a bottom of 40 x 120 cm is large enough for 5 or 6 fish. Because they are very good climbers, the top should be tightly covered to keep the fish from escaping! In addition, the air must have very high moisture content; which, can only be achieved in a covered aquarium. The temperature of the aquarium should range between 25 and 30 degrees centigrade. The water content is not of major importance because mudskippers live in the tidal regions of rivers. While they can live in fresh water, it is best to add some salt -- about 1 tablespoon per liter of water.
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