This has been my main hobby for the past year. I have learnt much since the first days watching my first fish (Platy) explore its new surroundings (2' x 2' x 2' tank). To gaining a 4' tank and slowly stocking it with various fish I thought were compatible. The truth being that they are only truly compatible with members from their own species. While Tiger Barbs, Danio's and Neons don't harm each other their behavior changes when the other fish are taken out - more confident, active and unafraid. This I suppose you would expect, but what about Albino and Sterbai Corydoras? They are both bottom dwelling catfish with similar feeding habits and sleeping patterns. You would think that get on well? Not true I find the Sterbai stick together (as they are the under-class) and are easily pushed out of the feeding trough from the bulk of the larger Albino's. While I think they still get their fair share they know when they have the best chance to get the most food. I get the feeling though that the Sterbai feel some resentment to wards the Albino's.

 My Bristlenose are great pets, with their constant cleaning of the aquarium glass they make quite a visitor attraction! I had to move my breeding pair recently as they liked the tank so much they had a second brood even before the first were big enough to leave home! Needless to say I haven't had to rid my glass of algae for a long time!

They have a great character and are a worthy addition to any aquarium. But beware, when they get big, they will charge at nearby Cory's when the food is out and are generally very bossy.

These Albino Corydoras live in my 4' tank, 4 adults with 9 juveniles that I have raised and are lucky enough to get a good life in the 'big tank".

The adults breed about every 3 weeks (yes it does seen to be weather dependent). One male services all 3 females, and yes he does get a little confused as to which one he was with a second ago. But this just means the other females get all excited too, and by the end of the day I can have a HUGE amount of little white eggs stuck to everything imaginable! I couldn't guess the number if I tried, but if you put them all on a flat plane then they would measure 40cm by 40cm.

They are fun to watch as they sift through the sand looking for tubifex worms.... Life seems to come pretty easy for them.

The Cory eggs are removed with fingers for small clusters or a razor blade for really thick areas. The fry are raised in a small 32cm tank with just an air-stone to turn the water and a 50w heater, about 50% of the water is changed daily (usually from my "big tank") as this removes the need for filtration (which would trap all the food!). They are fed boiled egg yolk for a few days and then newly hatched brine shrimp (they go bright orange!) until they are big enough to accept tubifex worms. At which time they are moved into this tank. Designed for the purpose and 60cm long they spend a couple of months in here.

After getting more than their fair share of food for far too ling my tigers were obliged to move tanks. This is where they live, a bushy rather pretty tank with a pot to fight over!

My Bristlenose also live in there too. But in the pots' base, which has a rather brisk current passing through it.

Because there are only 2 females to 5 males, some of the guys are getting a little frustrated; with a pair of males shimmering in the bushes every couple of days!

Lastly there is the goldfish tank which I am looking after while the owner is away.

The addition of a small flouro light added to this tanks charm and also solved some goldfish health problems. 4 white clouds are also visible busily dashing around the plants.