Oriental Whip Snake (Ahaetulla Prasina)

Oriental Whip Snake

(Ahaetulla Prasina)

My old vine snake Orion

Widespread throughout most of South East Asia, the Oriental Whip Snake is a pretty predator that has evolved to mimic vines, hence it's namesake. 

Habitat: Rainforests and Mangroves throughout its range, it is highly adaptable and is even found in urban areas. The environment one wishes to house a vine snake would be one that mimics that of the lower branches of trees where they are commonly encountered. Vines, branches and plants like moss and epiphytes may be used in the habitat. A large coconut shell may also be placed to allow the snake to rest at night. Mist the cage at least twice a day to maintain a high humidity as these snakes are a tropical species, also they may or may not drink from water dishes and whatever water they drink comes from water droplets formed on leaves or left on the snake.

Diet: Carnivorous. This small-ish snake has adapted to prey almost exclusively on lizards but they will also accept other prey items in captivity such as pinky mice and frogs. I would recommend frogs more as some species may be bred specifically as feeders in your country and their quick movements will entice this snake to eat as they rely more on sight than smell to hunt prey.

Minimum Tank Size: A 4x2x2 ft aquarium/terrarium is best as these snakes grow to 2ft long in captivity. Do ensure the enclosure has a tight fitting lid and that any small holes are covered as snakes are expert escapees.

Aggression: Very shy species. When theeatened, these snakes will tend to freeze and sway in the wind like an actual vine rather than to strike. The venom of this snake is non-lethal but do take care in handling this snake to prevent it from striking you as it causes stress to the snake.

Barramundi (Lates Calcarifer)

Barramundi

(Lates Calcarifer)

One of my own boys

A large size, high level of curiosity, powerful feeding reflex and overall appearance makes the Barramundi a stunning addition to the home aquarium.

Habitat: Found in oceans, estuaries, streams, mangroves and rivers, this is a highly adaptable species that can adapt to many habitats. They seem to appear more if the habitat is structured to replicate that of a mangrove.

Diet: Carnivorous. These fish should be fed a variety of foods such as bloodworms, tubifex, shrimp, and sliced fish fillets (whitebait, etc)

Minimim Aquarium Requirements: A very large tank is required for this species as they max out at 2-4ft on average, with lengths of 6ft being recorded!

Water Conditions: Flexible, though many keep them in conditions as follows:
75-82F/24-28C, KH 8-12, pH 6.2-7.8

Aggression: Relatively peaceful, this species will not bother any other fish provided it is well fed, hence it can be housed with a variety of fish of similar size, do watch out for tankmates during feeding time as these fish will tend to charge at food and can injure tankmates by accidentally smacking them with their force.

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Senegal Bichir (Polypterus Senegalus)

SENEGAL BICHIR

 

(Polypterus Senegalus)

 

credits to Google Images

 

A snake like appearance, the ability to slither across land, and having remained unchanged for millions of years, it is no wonder that many are fascinated by this dinosaur of a fish. The Senegal Bichir is among the smallest species of Polypterus, and can live for 30 years when provided with proper care.

 

Habitat: This species originates from the slow-moving, shallow regions of lagoons, marshes, estuaries and marshes, though some individuals have also been found in rivers, in approximately 26 countries across the African continent, making it one of the most widespread species. An aquarium made to replicate these habitats will make this fish appear more often. Floating plants will aid in bringing this fish out as they are sensitive to bright light.

 

Diet: Carnivorous. These fish should be fed a variety of foods such as bloodworms, tubifex, shrimp, and sliced fish fillets (whitebait, etc)

 

 

Minimum Aquarium Requirements: 150gal/5x2x2 ft is fine for one specimen

 

Water Conditions: 75-82F/24-28C, KH 8-12, pH 6.2-7.8

 

Aggression: Relatively peaceful, this species will not bother any other fish provided it is well fed, hence it can be housed with a variety of fish, though smaller tankmates must be taken into consideration as they may be eventually be consumed if the fish think that they are not being well fed.

 

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Green-Cheeked Conure (Pyrrhura Molinae)

GREEN-CHEEKED CONURE

 

(Pyrrhura Molinae)

 

credits to Wikipedia

 

The Green-Cheeked Conure is a popular bird to beginners in the parrot keeping hobby. It's small size, relatively quiet behavior and new mutations including a new Blue mutation developed in Europe has contributed to the Green-Cheeked Conure's popularity.

 

Habitat: Distributed in Argentina, Bolivia, the Mato Grosso regions in Brazil and Paraguay, this small parrot inhabits forests and forested woodlands, flocking in numbers of 10-20 individuals, even more if more food is available. Keep your parrot's cage furnished with various enrichment objects that require the bird to make use of both physical and mental qualities as this will help achieve the foraging and exploring skills your conure needs, as when deprived of such your bird will be prone to feather plucking.

 

Diet: Omnivorous. In the wild, these birds' main diet consist of plant matter, seeds and fruits. In captivity, a healthy mix should be provided to ensure your bird has enough of each nutrients to live a long, healthy life. Your bird's diet should consist of:

 

50% Vegetables like kale, broccoli, carrots and celery

20% Fruits like mango, papaya, apples and bananas

20% Commercial Parrot Pellets, Zupreme, Harrison's, Kaytee and Roudybush

7% Parrot Seed Mix

3% Nuts like peanuts, Brazil nuts, almonds and cashews

 

Cage size: A 20" x 20" x 22" should be the minimum cage size, longer is better. Ensure the cage bars aren't large enough for the parrot to escape or get stuck, and not too small for them not to be able to grip.

 

Aggression: This conure is somewhat bold, known to intimidate parrots and birds larger than itself. It is still relatively peaceful birds of the same size provided cage size is large enough to house both birds, two water dishes, two feeders, etc


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Campbell's Dwarf Hamster/Djungarian Hamster (Phodopus Campbelli/Phodopus Sungorus)

DWARF HAMSTER

 

(Phodopus Campbelli/Sungorus)

 

t

credits to Samantha Denney and Hamsterrific.com

 





The Dwarf Hamster is one of the most popular pet choices for first time pet owners, and it's easy to see why. Their activeness, small size and cute face makes many people want one, or 2, or 3. We'll go over on how to let your Dwarf live out his/her life happily and healthily.

 

Habitat: Coming from the deserts of Asia, these rodents have adapted to harsh environments, but that doesn't mean they should live as such in captivity. A habitat furbished with hides, wheels, chew toys, puzzle toys and climbing toys will keep your hamster occupied. Bedding in the form of Aspen wood shavings, Kaytee or CareFresh is recommended for them. Pine and Cedar emit toxic gases that damage the respiratory system of many animals, and some scented beddings can be irritatable to your hamster. Provide hay as a nesting material and also as a way to allow your hamster to have extra fibre.

 

Diet: Omnivorous. Many seed mixes are available for hamsters but pellets are also available. Perhaps the most healthy food type available for rodents are lab blocks, these contain all the nutrients a growing rodent needs to live healthily. Vary their diet by offering (not too much of these as they contain high levels of glucose, fats, etc) sunflower seeds, fruits, vegetables and insects.

 

Foods Unsafe For Dwarf Hamsters:

 

Anything with pesticides/insecticides on it

Anything sticky (will get stuck in their cheek pouches)

Anything sharp (will pierce their cheek pouches)

Processed food (canned food, candy, chocolate, snacks, etc)

Salted seeds and nuts

Citrus fruit (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, etc)

Onion and garlic

Kidney beans

Almond

Avocado

Potato

Tomato

Eggplant

Fruit seeds

Watermelon

When in doubt, don't feed it to them.

Minimum Cage Requirements: A 2ft long cage with 0.3 inch gap wires is required for a Dwarf Hamster, or a 10gal/2x1x1 ft aquarium is also suitable, bin or cabinet cages are also good if you are good in DIY.

Aggression Towards Conspecifics: Lest you have a large enough habitat, Dwarf Hamsters will fight. If you'd like to keep more than 1, ensure each hamster has 1ft of space to itself. Even then it depends on the hamster's personality so the safest way is to raise them from young.

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Dwarf Gourami (Trigaster Lalius)

DWARF GOURAMI

 

(Trigaster Lalius)

 

credits to Chor Kat Yeo

 

 

Ah yes, the Dwarf Gourami, a fish many people new to the fishkeeping hobby have in their stocklist. Hailing from South Asia, breeding for specific DNA traits and genes have produce different color traits such as Flame Red, Powder Blue and the more common Neon or Turquoise.

 

Habitat: A planted aquarium made to replicate a creek is good, though if going for a biotope the aquarium should be made to replicate a blackwater peat swamp. Floating plants such as Limnobium Laevigatum or Salvinia Natans will make the fish feel more secure and promotes breeding.

 

Diet: Omnivorous. Feed them a varied diet of bloodworms, algae based flakes and wafers, cyclopodia sp. and brine shrimp.

 

 

Minimum Tank Requirements: 10 gallons/2x1x1 ft is fine for one specimen.

 

Water Conditions: 72-82°F/25-27°C, KH 4-10, pH 6.0-7.5

 

Aggression: A peaceful fish, do not keep them with aggressive fish like bettas or fish that will see them as prey.

 

Breeding: The Dwarf Gourami is a bubblenest builder that uses plants to help bind together the bubbles. Besides the difference in color, the sex can be determined by the dorsal fin. The male's dorsal fin is pointed, while the female's is rounded. The water level should be reduced to 8 inches during spawning, and the temperature should be approximately 82°F. After spawning the female should be moved to a different tank. The male will tend to the eggs and fry, and when the fry are 2-3 days old the male should also be removed. When first hatched, the fry should be fed infusoria, and later, brine shrimp and finely ground flakes. Freeze-dried tablets may also be fed to older fry.

 

Notes: Despite being a docile fish, they can be aggressive towards conspecifics so a tank large enough and full of hides will allow each fish to establish a territory.

 

These fish are easily spooked by loud noises, so it is best tp have the aquarium in a quiet area.

 

It is known that fish imported from Singapore may have a chance of carrying Dwarf Gourami Iridovirus.

 

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Black Ghost Knifefish (Apteronotus Albifrons)

BLACK GHOST KNIFEFISH

 

 

(Apteronotus Albifrons)

 

 

Credits to AquaAnimania

 

 

The Black Ghost Knifefish is an intriguing fish that will add a touch of weird to the home aquaria. This slender, jet-black fish related to the Electric Eel grows to a foot long, so tankmates should be carefully chosen, though few report that these fish can be housed with fish like Neon Tetras with no signs of aggression.

 

Habitat: The Black Ghost Knifefish prefers a planted aquarium with plenty of areas to hide, in the form of caves or PVC pipes. A tips from AquaLand Pets suggests leaning a piece of slate against the aquarium glass, the fish will still seek refuge in it and this allows the owner to observe the fish. This fish likes to sift in the sand so river sand is suggested as the substrate. Plants like Anubias and Amazon Swords are appreciated, floating plants like Salvinia Natans will help the fish reduce it's shyness as these fish are very sensitive to bright lights. If setting up a biotope, the owner should replicate rapid water movements with a sand bottom and a lot of rockwork.

 

Diet: Carnivorous. These fish should be fed a variety of foods such as bloodworms, tubifex, shrimp, and sliced fish fillets (whitebait, etc)

 

Minimum Tank Requirements: A 150gal/5x2x2 ft is fine for one specimen.

 

Water Conditions: 73-80°F/25-28°C, KH 0-10, pH 6.5-7.0

 

Aggression: Known to be aggressive towards conspecifics, relatively peaceful to other fish of dissimilar shape and larger size, though it is known to even be peaceful to fish like tetras.

 

Breeding: There are reports of successful breeding but method of breeding has not been documented.

 

Notes: Only keep one Ghost Knifefish per tank, having multiple specimens in a tank causes them to get irritated and disoriented as the electrical signatures they emit will bounce off each other, lest you have a large tank such that they will have ample space to roam.

 

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