I suspect I'm overdue an update to this journal - the Crypts and Echinodorus have grown in well - in fact the latter have got massive and probably need some hacking back.
The tank survived a two week holiday absence fortunately, other than a massive explosion of the surface plants, despite thinning them to almost nothing before going away.
That said, I have had some losses sadly. Firstly all of my Black Pandas have vanished. I can only assume they have all died. It could be because of the surface plants covering most of the tank whilst I was away, reducing the CO2 off-gasing, increasing the water column levels - the drop checker was a bit lighter than usual when I came home (though not to a point of concern) - I can't think of any other reason? I'm gutted though, as they were lovely shrimp, and not cheap!
Also over the past couple of months I've also lost all but one of my Kubotai. I've not found a single corpse, and they have not jumped. None of them showed any health issues, all have been happily eating and interacting, as the last remaining one continues to do. Also all my other fish are doing great including my Chilli's which are growing, plumping up and colouring up beautifully on the regular live food, so its a bit of a mystery. All fish have been treated for worms and parasites too, though as I say I've seen no flicking or any other behaviour that might suggest a health issue.
Long and short though I'm looking for a different species of fish to take their place. I've started a thread here: (
Fish suggestions please . . .) but if anyone here has any fish suggestions, please let me know. As I posted in that thread, I'm considering some Honey Gourami or Threadfin Rainbows initially, but having kept neither species before, I want to be sure of compatibility and appropriateness for my tank?