We are pleased to announce the freshly released 64th issue of the magazine e-Aquarium.

In this issue, among other things, you will find:

🐟 Two rainbowfish of the genus Pseudomugil
🐠 A new livebearer Phalloceros mimbi
💧 Mineral composition of aquarium water
🌿 How Xiphophorus evelynae lives in nature
🍃 Pogostemon helferi var. red – an interesting plant novelty for detail lovers

📄 The magazine is available for download in PDF format on the website e-akvarium.cz
🌐 Individual articles are also available online directly on the website

White worm, commonly known among aquarists as grindal (Latin Enchytraeus buchholzi) was first described by Professor František Vejdovský of Charles University in Prague in 1879. The first to cultivate grindal was Swedish aquarist Nancy Grindal in the 1940s, after whom these worms received their commonly used name. Compared to other nematodes, they have the advantage of smaller size (often around 1-1.5 cm) and a greater willingness to reproduce, and they are not as demanding in maintaining the correct temperature.

📢 Why is grindal so popular among aquarists? 📢

👉 Easy breeding - they do not require much space and can be kept in containers.

👉 Nutritious food - grindal contains a high protein content, supporting fish growth.

👉 Suitable for small fish - ideal for livebearers, rasboras, tetras, and fry of larger species.

👉 High daily yields - with proper care, grindal can be harvested every day.

Grindal worms are the ideal live food for small aquarium fish.

Grindal reproduces easily, the worms are nutritious, and almost any aquarist can keep them even without prior experience. Due to their size and adaptability, they are considered one of the best live foods for smaller aquarium fish and fry.

If you are interested in the topic of live food, check out the overview of live food in the Magazine at https://www.foraquarist.com/novinky/135-zive-krmeni-cast-1

And if you have decided to try grindal, take a look at the current offers directly from aquarists: https://www.foraquarist.com/hledani?fulltext=grindal

Axolotl (also commonly known as the water dragon) originates from high-altitude lakes in the Mexico City valley. Its name likely either refers to the Aztec god Xolotl or has its origins in the translation of "strange/mysterious animal."

The axolotl is a unique amphibian that does not transform into a terrestrial form in adulthood – it remains permanently in the larval stage and has the ability of so-called neoteny - to reproduce sexually in the larval stage while retaining external gills and larval body characteristics. The natural habitat of the axolotl is currently facing ecological collapse, and the species is unfortunately critically endangered in the wild.

The beginnings of European captive breeding:
- 1864 – the first live axolotls were brought to Europe (Paris, Jardin des Plantes), from where they spread to laboratories and private breeding.
- since the 20th century, axolotls have been widely bred in laboratories around the world for the study of development, regeneration, and genetics.

Most of today's domesticated axolotls come from a few original lines and genetically differ significantly from the wild population. If you are interested in more, take a look at the article Axolotl – the aquarium lizard with the smile of Mona Lisa

The photo of beautiful axolotls is by T K (Unsplash).

🍃Sea almond leaves (Terminalia catappa)🍃, also known as "Catappa leaves", are a great addition for any shrimp and fish keeper from tropical biotopes. They act naturally, which is why they are also popular in biotope aquariums. They positively influence water quality and thus enrich the aquarium aesthetically and biologically. In this regard, they have similar benefits to alder cones.

Where to find sea almond leaves?
Sea almond leaves are commonly available in aquarium e-shops and specialized stores under the name Catappa leaves. Choose products without chemical treatment. Of course, you can also bring them back from your adventures.

Or you can also acquire sea almond leaves here on the portal directly from aquarists at better prices: https://www.foraquarist.com/hledani?fulltext=mandlovn

There is also a nice overview of the use of leaves from various trees - not just almonds - in aquaristics in the article here on the portal -
How to: Using leaves from trees for a natural and healthy aquarium - details, effects, applications (https://www.foraquarist.com/novinky/142-jak-na-to-vyuziti-listi-ze-stromu-pro-prirozene-a-zdrave-akvarium-podrobnosti-ucinek-aplikace)

What experience do you have with almond leaves, do you use them in your aquariums for shrimp and fish?

I have promised for a while to show what a female Sturisoma panamense (📷 1. photo) and a male (📷 2. photo) look like in adulthood.
In this case, the female is in the stage before laying eggs 🐟🔬.

What are alder cones?

Alder cones (in English "Alder cones", which is also a common term for commercially sold cones, although you can easily collect them yourself for free) are small fruits of the black alder (Alnus glutinosa). When added to an aquarium, they release beneficial compounds such as tannins and humic acids, which positively affect the chemical composition and health of aquatic organisms. The natural properties of alder cones have a multifaceted benefit for aquatic organisms and water quality. Therefore, they have become a popular natural additive in aquariums, especially for shrimp and fish enthusiasts.

Benefits of using alder cones for aquarium fish and shrimp:

1. Natural way to condition water in the aquarium

Alder cones release tannins and humic substances into the water, which:

- lower the pH, thereby helping to create a more acidic environment suitable for species from blackwater aquatic biotopes
- suppress the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi, thus reducing the risk of infections
- provide a natural appearance to the water in the aquarium by coloring it a light amber hue, which is the color of natural biotopes

2. Health benefits for shrimp and fish

The compounds released by alder cones strengthen the immune system of shrimp and fish, support successful molting of shrimp, and improve their coloration and overall vitality.

3. Advantages of alder cones for breeding

Alder cones help create optimal conditions for the development of eggs and the survival of fry, and reduce the likelihood of fungal infections on the eggs.

Shrimp lollies 🦐🦐🦐 are an attractive supplementary food that has been gaining popularity among aquarium shrimp keepers in recent years. They consist of small balls or sticks attached to a skewer or bamboo stick, which not only taste good to the shrimp but are also nutritionally valuable and contribute to their health and condition.

The picture shows high-quality lollies from Roman Štěpánek from Brno - you can find his offer here: https://www.foraquarist.com/produkt/1785-dobroty-pro-krevetky-a-rybky

The declared composition of shrimp lollies can be seen in the photo, proportionally it is: herbs (50%), artemia (25%), and pollen (25%) on each stick.

Bee flower (pollen) is a common component of lollies, as it contains a large amount of protein, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals and trace elements. It is pollen that bees collect directly from flowers and bring to the hive.

Lollies are particularly suitable for freshwater shrimp Neocaridina and Caridina

For Neocaridina species, such as:

- Red Cherry

- Blue Velvet

- Yellow Neon

- Orange Sakura

For Caridina species, for example:

- Crystal Red/Crystal Black

- Bee Shrimp

- Taiwan Bee

- Tangerine Tiger

These shrimp enjoy nibbling on the lollies while also providing them with necessary nutrition, supporting their condition and stimulating natural feeding behavior 🙂.

How to properly use lollies for shrimp?

Simply stick the lolly into the substrate or place it in a holder directly in the aquarium.

It is recommended to offer them to shrimp as a supplement to regular feeding 1–2 times a week.

Observe the behavior of the shrimp to avoid overfeeding and prevent unnecessary water pollution.

Where to buy lollies for shrimp or how to make them?

If you do not want to embark on making them yourself, which can be an interesting experience, you can buy them at aquarium online shops, but I recommend not buying from anonymous commercial manufacturers, but from Czech producers, where you have a guarantee of quality and which you can find here on ForAquarist, where you can find manufacturers from Brno or Kostelec na Hané, just type in the search: lollies

🐣🌿 Happy Easter! We wish all aquarists and their scaly companions! 💧🐠

For a change, I'm sending a picture of the Mexican flea - Hyalella azteca. It's not just fish food but also an interesting creature to observe.

Shrimp lollipops are a popular supplementary food for shrimp in the form of sticks or balls attached to a stick made of natural material, such as a skewer or bamboo. Shrimp lollipops contain a mixture of natural ingredients that are not only very tasty for shrimp but also nutritionally valuable.

What are shrimp lollipops made of?
The most commonly used ingredients include dried algae, finely crushed spinach leaves, dried nettle powder, beta-glucan for immune support, and minerals and vitamins necessary for the growth and healthy development of shrimp.

Which shrimp are lollipops suitable for?
Lollipops are especially appreciated by Neocaridina shrimp (e.g., Red Cherry, Blue Velvet), but also by Caridina shrimp (e.g., Crystal Red, Bee Shrimp).

I recommend checking the offer of shrimp lollipops directly from manufacturers at good prices here: https://www.foraquarist.com/hledani?fulltext=lízátk

In the picture are shrimp lollipops from the seller Maker Dawe, which I can only recommend 😎.

And what about you, what experiences do you have with shrimp lollipops, do you use them, do you buy them, or do you even make them yourself?

Alder cones for aquariums have a number of advantages and benefits – they lower pH, have antibacterial and antifungal effects, thus limiting the proliferation of bacteria and fungal diseases. Alder cones in aquaristics help create a more natural environment for fish such as tetras, angelfish, gouramis, and bettas.

They are often used by shrimp breeders as well. For shrimp, alder cones help support proper molting, provide valuable humic substances, essential oils, and tannins to the water. Additionally, they are a source of biofilm, which is food for shrimp.

And the best thing about alder cones is that you can collect them yourself and don’t have to buy them anywhere.

And what about you, do you also use alder cones in your aquariums?

Už je to pořádný fešák ☺️

Načerpané zkušenosti a předělaní 200l akvária přineslo své ovoce. 🙂

Nové založené, použita původní voda ze zajetého akvária.

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