Typhlonectes natans

Typhlonectes natans

Aquarium: 1200 x 450 x 400 mm, pH 6.4, 2-3 dH. Thermostatic heater with guard set at 26°C, Eheim Aquaball 2212 internal filter (they appear to appreciate some water movement as long as there are also current-free places they can rest after feeding). The tank is lit by two full spectrum fluorescent tubes 12 hours a day (on timer).
Flora: Ceratophyllum demersum, Egeria densa, Microsorum pteropus, Vesicularia dubyana, oak (Quercus robur) leaves.
Fauna: 0.0.4 Typhlonectes natans, Poecilia reticulata, 0.2 Barbus conchonius (to control hair algae)
Diet: Earthworms, chopped raw shrimp, chopped raw beefheart, frozen lancefish, frozen bloodworms.
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One of my larger specimens, probably a female. they like to spend quite a lot of time coiled up in a tangle of plants.

They also like to burrow in the fine silica sand. This is to be encouraged as friction helps with skin shedding while the fine sand poses no risk of digestive blockages. In my opinion, keeping this species with no substrate into which they can burrow (soft substrates such as leaves/peat would be an alternative) is a deprivation for them and likely to lead to stress.

$Typhlonectes natans\$

I feed these animals 3-4 times a week. The day after feeding, they become inactive and invisible, often burrowing in the sand. By the next day, they are hungry again and out looking for food (see above) which includes the odd guppy!

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