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Old July 22nd, 2009, 04:42 PM   #1
rdebonis
Fry
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Brooklyn
Posts: 120
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Question Catfish Stuck In Sponge Filter Exhaust Tubes

I use Hydro-Sponge filters in many of my tanks. I am having a problem particularly with C. Paleatus catfish getting stuck in the long plastic Exhaust tubes on these filters. C. Paleatus is a very active cool water Cory. It remains very active both day and night in all layers of the water column and occasionally, I find them stuck head down in the Hydro-Sponge exhaust tubes. The only thing that saves them from drowning is that they are facing head down into the water flow and the water is being forced into their gills, forcing oxygen into them. If they were facing the other way they would definitely drown. I have had some catfish stuck like this for a number of days before I discovered them and released them. I have been lucky and never lost a Catfish that was stuck like this, but I'm afraid eventually it will happen. All Cory's like tight spaces, but Paleatus because they spend so much time in all layers of the water column, including the top layer are particularly susceptible to entering and getting stuck in these exhaust tubes. I have to keep C. paleatus because the tanks I have them in are unheated with other cool water fish and the temperature will often drop to 55 to 60 degrees in the Winter. In their native habitat in South America, they are found in water that is cool. They tolerate warmer water, but prefer cooler water and are much more active and healthy in it. I also like them because of their unique color pattern and constant activity, I find them one of the most interesting members of the Corydorus family to watch.

Other than removing these Exhaust Tubes, which I'm afraid will affect the operation of the filter, does anyone know how I can prevent these fish from going down the tubes? I thought of jury rigging netting over the top of the exhaust tube with a hole for the air tube to go through, but then I have to secure it with rubber bands or cord.
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