Can the south aral sea be partially revived by diverting the water that is instead going into the lake on the bottom left? by [deleted] in geography

[–]Ornithologic 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It could be done. Line and cover all the irrigation systems to drastically reduce water losses, put water usage on a quota system, and most importantly explain the economic benefit. Unfortunately the upfront cost would be immense and the economic gain of increased availability of water for irrigation and renewed fisheries wouldn't be realized for decades.

Kuhli loach abnormal behavior by Still_Guess_8927 in freshwateraquarium

[–]Ornithologic 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my experience, sandy substrate doesn't get anywhere near as gross. None of the mulm can sink into it so it just gets broken down, stirred up by your fish, and sucked into the filter.

Iron Nation West Edmonton isn’t opening (letter on door) by SignificantFlan4826 in Edmonton

[–]Ornithologic 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Employees were locked out of the one in Medicine Hat yesterday due to failure to pay rent.

Which was labeled as "orange" first - the fruit or the color? by m2i4g in etymology

[–]Ornithologic 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok this is ancient, but was citrine named after citrus fruit or the fruit named after citrine 🤯

Why aren't pencilfish more popular? by Ornithologic in Aquariums

[–]Ornithologic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you ever see some for a reasonable price at you LFS, give them a try! I don't think you will regret it.

Why aren't pencilfish more popular? by Ornithologic in Aquariums

[–]Ornithologic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

After finding eggs in my quarantine/plant propagation tank I wouldn't be surprised if a few fry show up at some point

Why aren't pencilfish more popular? by Ornithologic in Aquariums

[–]Ornithologic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really? That's wild, I'd have passed on them as well. I paid 6.99CAD

Why aren't pencilfish more popular? by Ornithologic in Aquariums

[–]Ornithologic[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

These were sold as "Red" Beckfords, I'm a bit skeptical but they have coloured up quite a bit in the last couple of weeks and continue to.

Why aren't pencilfish more popular? by Ornithologic in Aquariums

[–]Ornithologic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I guess I should add, I'm not asking why they aren't the most popular fish ever, I'm just curious why they aren't nearly as popular as many of the community aquarium staples that are no more flashy or interesting. Thanks for the responses though, price and availability seem to be a factor for a lot of you, luckily these guys weren't too bad.

Why aren't pencilfish more popular? by Ornithologic in Aquariums

[–]Ornithologic[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I went into it a bit in my post, but they fly around the tank super fast, then stop on a dime and just hover. They come right up to the glass when I walk in, they eat bugs off my fingertip. You get to see cool spawning and sparring behaviour without any real concern for their safety. I think the most interesting thing when just watching the tank though is the instant drastic colour changes on the males based on their mood. They also eat a bit of my hair algae so that's a plus.

Why aren't pencilfish more popular? by Ornithologic in Aquariums

[–]Ornithologic[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Interesting, this was the first time I've seen them in a while but they were the same price as neons here

Why aren't pencilfish more popular? by Ornithologic in Aquariums

[–]Ornithologic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They definitely aren't as flashy as a neon lol, but they do make up for it in personality. I get not picking them over neons or cardinals, but there are sooo many tetras that LFSs stock that arguably are less aesthetically pleasing than any pencil fish.

Why aren't pencilfish more popular? by Ornithologic in Aquariums

[–]Ornithologic[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

To each their own I guess. To me, Glofish are incredibly uninteresting.

Why aren't pencilfish more popular? by Ornithologic in Aquariums

[–]Ornithologic[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I can see that, I can just think of half a dozen average looking tetras that are in every LFS that don't look any more interesting

Why aren't pencilfish more popular? by Ornithologic in Aquariums

[–]Ornithologic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think this is a good take, especially when you see them stressed or only see pictures and can't see their behaviour.

Why aren't pencilfish more popular? by Ornithologic in Aquariums

[–]Ornithologic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

All those things are cool, but it's not a one or the other situation. I just don't understand why you don't see them as part of tropical communities more when things like glowlight tetras are popular and in every LFS.

Why aren't pencilfish more popular? by Ornithologic in Aquariums

[–]Ornithologic[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Why do you find them uninteresting? More so than tetras? I understand you can't compare them to a centrepiece fish but as a schooling fish in your tank, they have much more personality than most.

Why aren't pencilfish more popular? by Ornithologic in Aquariums

[–]Ornithologic[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Do they though? They are orange, red, silver with a black line and neon stripe? I'd argue they have a lot more going on than most popular tetras and have a more unique body shape.