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Get a little exotica

If you are a real aquarist get your hands dirty

REPTILES TO LOVE A turtle can be real deal

An aquarium is about fishes. Right? Maybe, but you can work around a little to bring in real nature. How about crabs, snails, shrimps and other invertebrates from water world?

Getting them is a problem, keeping them is a problem, but the WOW factor when your pals see the stuff lazing around in your personal pool is worth it. Most pet shop owners in the city don't stock the stuff.

The few that do, stock turtles (some deal with the banned stuff like star turtles), the others don't deal with them.

So, the best way to learn and stock this stuff is to wear your bermudas and hit the waters near your place. Shallow water is the best place to find crabs, snails and scampi. Pick up the most colourful thing that you find and put it in your bucket.

Getting these exotic specimens from the lake bed, river bed is one thing taking care of them is another story.

If you have gotten a colourful crab then you will need to keep a glass cover to stop this escape artist from performing its trick. Snails and scampi are the easiest to keep and take care of. Snails have the added advantage of cleaning up the algae whenever it sprouts.

The only disadvantage is the breeding virtuosity, the best way to keep their numbers in check is to keep track of leaves and other exposed surfaces for white rounded blobs. The moment you spot them just crush and leave for your fish to enjoy a meal.

Scampi can match the fabled discus in terms of water quality requirement. Keep the water aerated and clean and they will thrive, but make one error then...

SERISH NANISETTI

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