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And they are extremely sensitive to nitrates as well. They rarely live more than a year in captivity, even with excellent care.

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Shrek, deffinately feed it green algea or a veg suplement. I read that they like that.

brac

Hogchokers are a different species entirely. A type of sole (left eyed flatfish) native to the eastern United States, this species prefers full saltwater. Although they may be marketed as FW due to their spawning habits, these fish occur mostly in the warm costal waters off of the east coast, sometimes even occuring as far north as NY. While they can last for prelonged periods in freshwater, they really belong in seawater. When I was growing up, we used to catch them on the rocky outcrops jutting into Houston Bay. Note: if your 'choker bites the dust, don't fry it up--they're bad eats. Jk. Of course, as in most flatfish, they are highly preadatory and carnivorous.

[span class="edited"][Edited by Klee 2004-08-13 12:57][/span]

Got me one few weeks ago. Search for hogchoker to get more info. It doesn't seem to eat anything I feed but seems to be okay. I was told it like algae.

That makes sense. I will definitely give it serious thought and preparation if I ever decide to get one.

I like to think of myself as an experienced aquarist but have no trouble asking for info when I need it. I've learned the importance of never buying a fish on impulse, even though it's quite difficult sometimes...

Is it possible to watch them eat?

[span class="edited"][Edited by 2004-08-12 23:25][/span]

Because most of the time they are unfit for aquarium life. Some people may have success with them (like Klee), but think how many more of them must die at the hands of beginning and/or negligent aquarists. It just seems cruel to me that they have to be harvested from their natural habitats and basically be sent to die.

Stores IMO should not just get them in just because they are cool looking. I personally think that they should be only for special order by experienced aquarist who can provide them with the living conditions they require.

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

I think Cory was referring to the flounder's fragility (is that a word?) in the home aquaria and it's sensitivity to water parameters. If you're going to use a ten, you better keep the decor on the down low. Once it gets to about 4 inches, it'll take up nearly half the tank. I'd go with one flounder, some driftwood, and two bbgs all over a thin layer of sand.

Do you keep them in freshwater? I was thinking about converting my ten to keep maybe 1 or 2, would that work?

Cory Addict, obviously you don't think they should be kept, I was wondering why you feel this way?

[span class="edited"][Edited by 2004-08-12 19:40][/span]

I use a turkey baster to feed them. Since I keep them with figure 8s, they wouldn't have a chance were I to just dump the food in the water. Fed twice a day with either brine shrimp (frozen or baby), tetramin flake, bloodworms, and snails crushed against the side of the glass.

[span class="edited"][Edited by Klee 2004-08-12 17:59][/span]

Klee, I was wondering how you feed them and make sure they are getting enough food.

That's news to me. I think I've had these puppies for nearly a year now, and they're doing just fine. However, I did take note that after a recent 2-week family outing (that's a total of 3 weeks without a water change), they lost color and were a bit fidgety, probably due to the rather high nitrate levels. After three days of 30% water changes, they shapped right back to their usual routine.

[span class="edited"][Edited by Klee 2004-08-12 14:09][/span]

I was wondering if anyone knew the scientific name of these guys and/or any information on care. At the store they are between 1 and 2 inches

keep in brackish water



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Scientific Name
Achirus lineatus
2"
75-80
1 or more



General: A peaceful bottom dweller that resembles a flounder. Keep it with small, peaceful fish. They require some salt in the water (at least one teaspoon per gallon), and does well in a brackish water community tanks.
Also called the freshwater sole.


Feeding: Standard Diet with greens, frozen or live food

Achirus lineatus (aka the freshwater tonguefish, spelled wrong, i think, but oh well) is the only freshwater flounder available in most areas, and maxes out at 5 inches tops. My little guy seems to be stuck at 4 inches. :[


[span class="edited"][Edited by Klee 2004-08-12 13:07][/span]

[span class="edited"][Edited by Klee 2004-08-12 13:20][/span]

I know they are being kept in freshwater now, is there anyway that I could tell which species they are?

It could easily be a Achiropsis nattereri which is a species from the Amazon basin and therefore freshwater, grows to approx. 9 inches

I thought flounder got significantly bigger than 3-4 inches.
They are brackish fish in the wilder, but most kept in aquariums have been and can be slowly graduated to pure fresh water.
I believe everything I have heard stated that this fish is usually around 12 inches long at maturity, however it does take some years for a flounder to reach this size, if it does in the aquarium.
They need a sand bottom, like earthworms, and other meaty foods, and get bullied by other fish a lot!
The latin name is Achirus lineatus

[span class="edited"][Edited by Sneaky_Pete 2004-08-12 00:31][/span]

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Lives in brackish water, gets bullied by just about everything. Likes live food. Grows to about 3-4 inches, IIRC.

Ok, I never said that I had any interest in buying it, I just want information on it, I really do not have room in my tank for it right now, but I really enjoy learning about fish I know little about. So, if you know the scientific name, please share it with me, don't make my decisions for me.

Is it anything like a saltwater flounder?

Because that would be a REALLY frightening thing to have in an aquarium.