Pat's Altums - Take 2

[ariodpalm]

Hi Pat,

Amazing videos and husbandry. Maybe you can make a sticky of this thread for folks like me who are thinking about giving Altums a try. I was wondering at what temperature do you keep your Altums? and what is (TDS of about 30) and IALs? I couldn't find it googling.

Thanks
Loc

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Loc,

I am keeping this batch at 82 and I have changed up how I prep the water. I was using mostly RO water with a little tap water to bring the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) up to 30 ppm (you can measure TDS with a TDS meter). Today I am using 100% RO water and bring the TDS up to about 100 using RO Right and adding Discus Essentials for additional minerals. Prepping the water this way allows the ph to slowly drift down to about 5.5 (best to have a ph moniter is you can keep an eye on it). The minerals in the water help to support fin growth since these guys grow so fast in the first year. IAL are Indian Almond Leaves and I add that to the water when I first receive the altums to help them recover from shipping and acclimate to tank life.

hth
Pat

[ariodpalm]

Pat - Thank you for the quick response and clarification. I've always admired the gracefulness of the Altums; however, was a little timid to try but with your success and documentation. I think I will try next summer when it is a little warmer in Maryland.

V/R
Loc

[jimg]

Very nice Pat!

[Second Hand Pat]

Best of luck with them Loc. Altums are awesome fish but it is very easy to mess them up. Best to keep the water on the acidic side if possible.
Pat

[rickztahone]

Nice video Pat

[jawfish]

Hi Pat
How are the altums doing ?

I guess that I'm in need of an altum fix

Fred

[Second Hand Pat]

Fred, I traded half of them for four of the Heckels and the other half are in with the Heckels. The altums are doing great and look fantastic. I have a new video of the heckels I will upload soon. Maybe you can get altum fix from that. If not I can do a new video.
Pat

[LuisFS]

Hello Pat,

Can you tell me if your altums are wild or captive breed?

Thanks

[rickztahone]

Hello Pat,

Can you tell me if your altums are wild or captive breed?

Thanks

I can answer that

WILD

[Second Hand Pat]

Hello Pat,

Can you tell me if your altums are wild or captive breed?

Thanks

Hi Luis, they are indeed wild as Ricardo posted. The only captive bred I know of in the US are from Mike T.
Pat

[mee]

Every time I look at Altums I am so tempted. I can walk 20 minutes and get them more often than not in my neck of the woods... just don't really have the space =/

[Bala de Plata]

Those Altums look great. Makes me want to try my hand at it again!

[mee]

Actually went to the shop today and saw what I think were wild adults for about $50 each. Seemed reasonable.. but again no space =/

[Second Hand Pat]

Actually went to the shop today and saw what I think were wild adults for about $50 each. Seemed reasonable.. but again no space =/

How large were they mee? An adult altum is about 4 to 5 inches SL so a pretty large fish.
Pat