Re: NANFA-L-- California Natives - They're All Threatened or

Jerry Baker (nanfa-in-bakerweb.biz)
Wed, 24 Aug 2005 09:39:41 -0700

Peter Unmack wrote:
> I'm not so sure that I'd worry about measuring every parameter as most of
> them don't matter. In the west, where ever there is water that is cool
> enough, one can usually find speckled dace, thus most water parameters are
> not limiting. Temperature however would be a great thing to measure. As
> I mentioned in my last email, talk this stuff over with other fish
> people working on the species. They might suggest what type of
> information and or data would be most valuable. And if there is something
> you are lacking, they may well lend you the equipment, thus I wouldn't
> rush out and buy stuff like an O2 meter unless you have money to burn.

I do to some extent, but I would rather spend it on larger tanks,
lights, filters, chillers, and other "fun" stuff. The dissolved O2 isn't
a big issue because these species tend to live in streams with movement,
and as long as there is some movement the O2 is going to be in the
normal range, barring some extraordinary circumstances.

> You could always try another "Pantosteus" species (some consider them a
> full genus, others a subgenus of Catostomus, but they are ecologically
> quite distinct to other Catostomus species, thus you must use a
> Pantosteus), but I doubt you'll manage to keep them alive in the long term
> as feeding them is problematic, but few have really tried. Usually,
> where ever you find Pantosteus, you usually also find speckled dace. The
> suckers also tend to need to be much older and larger to breed as well.
> Another thing to consider is you might need chillers to have much chance
> with breeding either species as they typically live in more headwater type
> environments.

Ya. I had already budgeted for getting a 1/3 or 1/2 HP chiller. If I
want to replicate the conditions of the local headwaters, I'm gonna need
to be able to get a 135 gallon tank down to the 40's during the winter
months. Failing that, I must be able to maintain the mid to high-fifties
all year. That's gonna take some power. To help with the costs, I am
also going to switch to acrylic even though I'd rather not have an
acrylic tank.
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