My first O. Hummelincki

[skywindsurfer]

I think Bubbles is finally nearing the end. She hasn't excepted food in a few days and I haven't seen her leave her den either. I peaked in there this evening and she's all wedged in there. When I touched her with the food she just pushed it away. I told my wife to keep an eye out for her and if she does see her out and about to check her den for eggs.

 

[skywindsurfer]

Another day and still no movement from Bubbles. I know it's too early to be certain and she could just be going through a 'phase' but I don't think so. I'd take some pictures but I'm not sure if they would come out very well. I'll see if I can manage some form of picture or video soon.

 

[Nancy]

If she's now staying in her den, possibly with eggs, she won't come out for 6 weeks or so. This is true even if she lays infertile eggs.

Nancy

 

[skywindsurfer]

I know. She's getting close to the age. I estimate she's somewhere around 9 months or so. This sucks because she's just recently become really interactive where she would actually swim up to my hand and take the food from me.

 

[skywindsurfer]

My wife said she came out today while I was at work, grabbed a bit of food, and went back into her rocks. She said she didn't have time to check for eggs, so I'll see if she's in the same spot when I get home.

 

[skywindsurfer]

Sure enough she was in the same spot. This time she had a few shells pulled up around her. I couldn't see anymore than I could last night.

 

[skywindsurfer]

Last night Bubbles was sitting at the edge of her den. I managed to lure her out with a piece of shrimp which she took from my hand. I was able to look inside her den and found that there were no eggs.

 

[skywindsurfer]

Last night she came out and I was able to feed her again. She wouldn't take the shrimp from my hand but she did touch me. I eventually had to use the feeding stick. I used this opportunity as well to clean her tank. I moved some of the plumbing and rocks around to to make the tank look nicer and also to help prevent dead spots behind the rocks. Then I wiped down the sides of the tank real quick. She did fine with this. She stayed to one side or the other as I was cleaning. There were no eggs, and she stayed out for several hours last night. I guess she was just taking a vacation from us for a few days. I think she's done this at least two or three times were she dens up and doesn't come out for several days.

 

[skywindsurfer]

So it was just another episode with her. She's been coming out for good bit again and interacting normally like she always does. I rearranged the rocks to help the flow through the sump and keep uneaten food from collecting where I can't reach it. But she's eating well and back to normal.

 

[Nancy]

Glad to hear she's OK.

I experienced the same thing - several days of different behavior and withdrawal. It's hard to figure out what causes this.

Nancy

 

[skywindsurfer]

I just added a bio tower to the sump so I had to rearrange the rocks and macro algae. I also put a small power head in as well. Bubbles really enjoys this. I caught her playing with it shortly after I put it in.

 

[skywindsurfer]

Here are some pictures of Bubbles' new home arrangement. I'll have videos posted shortly.

 

[skywindsurfer]

 

[skywindsurfer]

 

[skywindsurfer]

In this video I was trying to show you how she reacts to my hand and scrub brush when I stick them in there. She doesn't always go for my hand but occasionally she will. You can see how upset she was with that piece of PVC pipe I tried giving her to play with. She stayed upset well after I took it out as well.