Mudskippers anyone?

FireFly_1976 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 09:10 AM

I have an opportunity to move my goldfish into an eclipse system (a large one, with the full built in hood/filter/light etc.). The tank has as many gallons (one less) than their current one, but isn't as long--taller. These are fat bodied guys that won't mind slightly less length for height.
With their tank freed up, I am considering doing a mangrove swamp paladarium for mudskippers. I've always wanted to keep these guys, they are fascinating to me. I'm currently planning out a 60g paladarium (freshwater, focusing on fish), but I'd love to add this idea into the mix as well. (different tank, a tad smaller than 60, about 40g). I know it is a bare minimum size for mudskippers, so I'm gonna house about three of the smallest kind (provided I can find a place to buy them). It's a ways off yet--plan to do the 60g first--so I've got plenty of research time. If anyone has done a brackish mangrove swamp, or kept mudskippers I'd appreciate any info. I am finding lots more info on mudskippers than was available just a few years ago, but there still isn't tons. I'm thinking for this tank, I'll do a simple divided set up, rather than a false bottom. I may try and find some other gobies that are too big to be eaten by the mudskippers (would live totally in the water, brackish of course), but I'm not sure yet. Any suggestions for a possible other fish species or two would be welcomed, or I may just have the skippers. (I was thinking maybe knight gobies, but I've read conflicting info on their brackishness, some say freshwater.... and I'm not sure they get quite big enough?) Any other ideas for brackish plants, other than the mangroves? I was thinking maybe some java fern/moss as those would tolerate the brackish. Of course there would be lots of slate/rockwork and driftwood as well.

Emily

Rainfrog · #2 (**permalink**) 07-09-2007, 06:51 AM

Definitely a brackish living fish. can be 4 to 12 inches depending on species.

FireFly_1976 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-09-2007, 09:09 PM

Yup, definitely brackish. I plan to do about 3-4 of the littlest ones, and probably will go with just the mangrove theme (and of course rocks and driftwood). I may try to bonsai the mangroves or something, though I suppose if I get little enough ones, I can just let them grow and then replace as they get too big. I'll have to look into that. I obviously can't have huge trees in a 40g aquarium...

Emily