On Mon, 02 Jan 2006 00:42:04 +0100, Mean_Chlorine
wrote:

Thusly "Bill Stock" Spake Unto All:

The new SAEs seem to be doing a lot of "tail standing", swimming vertically
up and down the glass. I gather this is some kind of food search?

No, they're likely just being their hyperactive selves. SAE's are
hyper, and especially when they're new in an aquarium will they do a
lot of swimming up & down the glass.

Also how few SAEs can I leave in a group.

My experience is that a single SAE is perfectly OK. There's also a lot
less chasing, which any more timid fish you might have will
appreciate.

However, a 10G is really too small for SAE's. I'd recommend a single
ancistrus instead - it grows big too, but it's not as an active fish
as the SAE.

I have one SAE in a 10 gallon tank with 2 Clown Loaches. They have
been in the tank with some Platties for over 2 years. I am happy with
the tank.

I don't see the single SAE swimming up the glass, but the 10 in the 75
gallon tank are often going up the front glass. Right now all are
settled on leaves resting, but as feeding time approaches they will
become quite active.

I don't understand why people say size and temperament is a problem
with these fish. In my over 2 years experience with them, they are
great in community tanks. They are one of my favorites. It is weird
to see a 5 inch fish resting on a plant leaf. Right now, in the front
of my 75 gallon tank, I see 2 SAEs resting on Crypt leaves while
underneath the same leaves are 2 Clown Loaches.

dick