Nanoptopoma spec. "Robocop"

[MickeM]

I just want to show you one of my favorite Apisto Tank Mates.. - Nanoptopoma sp. !!
These small (2-3cm) creatures in these pics entered one of my tanks only 2 days ago..
I have been waiting for their arrival!!!
..since I have kept a close relative to them a couple of years ago..! (Nanoptopoma cf.(?) sternoptychum)
Back then , I noticed that they did not want(seem) to force them selves into a cave with my female Apistogramma (Ap.spec. Vielfleck "Assurini") with eggs /fry!
...which many other catfishes do... if size of the cave+them selves allows them to...

Nanoptopoma sp. may be difficult to keep alive unless you can find a proper/suitable food though..,
but I know that there are several types of food you can buy and test today.
I gave mine some shrimp-sticks I was recommended to try.....and they gathered up close to the food, but did not seem to taste it..
Maybe they want the food to be more "decomposed", since I have heard that Otocinclus sp. and other similar species like to eat from the "bio-film" of leaves/plants/roots and rocks..
I guess these "Robocops" also feed like that!!??
(The nick-name is probably due to the red rings they are supposed to get around their eyes!!?? , and there are other names of these kind of Nanoptopoma`s ... sp.Peru, sp. Orange.. )

I hope you enjoy the pics...

/Micke

 

[Karin]

beautiful new fish Micke!

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Nanoptopoma sp. may be difficult to keep alive unless you can find a proper/suitable food though..,

Maybe they want the food to be more "decomposed", since I have heard that Otocinclus sp. and other similar species like to eat from the "bio-film" of leaves/plants/roots and rocks..

Very nice, I think that all of them are now Hypoptopoma spp.. I'd definitely have some leaf litter for them to graze on. It might trap any small particles from shrimp or spirulina sticks, that they would them ingest.

I've never kept these but I'd try feeding them some Red Bell pepper, it is attractive to most vegetarian and omnivorous Loricariids, and it is high in nutrients.

cheers Darrel

 

[MickeM]

Thank you both... !!

I will try the Red Bell Pepper and some other sorts of food I`ve been recommended..
One alternative is a quite "fixed paste" you mix and can smear on to rocks and roots..

And I will also follow your advice regarding the leaf litter Darrel..
I have some in a corner of the tank already, but will add some more!!!

Yes... the names of our fishes are changed sometimes, since the Taxonomy-specialists do their job.. step by step..
( I really like the Nano-name though.. it tells us a liiittle more about these fishes! But what would we then call a yet smaller one..if they find one)

 

[Mol_PMB]

I agree with the red bell pepper, definitely a favourite with my Otos, Hypoptopoma and Farlowella.
The other thing I make for them is 'lollipops' - I mix up Repashy gel and dip twigs into it.
Both are very popular, even with juvenile Farlowellas that are very hard to feed.

 

[MickeM]

Great info Paul..!!

Some kind of Repashy gel was the product I was thinking of....
Which do you suggest??? "Soilent Green/Grub Pie Fish/ Meat Pie" ??? or mix /else??
Also.. what kind of twigs do you have?? Beechwood, Oak??

/Micke

 

[Mol_PMB]

I usually use Soilent Green as a basis, with a bit of meat pie added, sometimes also a frozen cube of brineshrimp or a sprinkle of 'golden pearls' or similar small pellets.
My recipe and illustrated guide is here:
http://www.tropicalfishforums.co.uk/index.php?topic=152554.0
(Hope it's OK to link to a different forum in this case)

Some pics attached of several of my fish enjoying both the 'lollipops' and the red pepper. The pepper gets eaten right down to the skin.
With the lollipops, they love it but some of the food tends to get knocked off and ends up on the substrate. Depending on the other fish in the tank, you might need a little clean-up the next day.

Regards,
Paul