The paludarium needs to have a sizable land portion, with flat rocks placed sideways, and a substrate of 10-15 cm. While you can use Cryptocoryne affinis as decorations, the terrace should be left mostly without plants. After the rocks and roots have been placed, use sand and gravel to create the bottom of the tank. In the water area, the substrate should only be 2-5 cm.

The lower part becomes the water area with a few large pieces of rock should stick out of the water. A large root may also be provided. The water area should be planted with only one large fern in the corner.

Mudskippers are actually fish and they have eyes that protrude way beyond the sides of their heads. These fish live in the mangroves and low palms of estuaries and lagoons and usually crawl around on the muddy shallows on their pectoral fins. They can live either in or out of the water. They occasionally climb up the roots to have a look around, but because they are actually fish, they also need to return to the water frequently to keep their gills and skin moist.

When breeding, mudskippers establish territories that they jealously guard against fish of their own species. They lay their eggs in mud holes that they have dug. This explains why breeding mudskippers have never been accomplished in an aquarium.

These unique fish are wonderful to observe, and maintaining your pauldarium will be a simple and enjoyable process.

A Small Home for the Dwarf Cichlids

Dwarf cichlids are another breed of fish especially suited to small aquariums or mini-tanks. While it is not necessary to have only one species of small fish in a mini-tank, you will want to speak to your pet store manager for advice on which fish can be put in the tank with the dwarf cichlids.

A "scree," or rocky aquarium, is ideal for the dwarf cichlids and are quite attractive. This type of aquarium consists of about ¼ rocks. These fist-sized rocks are round and piled in the aquarium, where they nearly reach the surface in the back and about halfway up in the front. Delicate plants are planted in a free spot in the foreground, center of the tank.

Providing a couple of rock caves will allow you to observe the courtship, mating, and care for the young, since these fish do not eat their babies. Wedge the rocks tightly so they don't fall over or become dislodged from their design. Some prefer to glue these rocks together with rubber silicone during installation; however, if this is done, they need to be allowed to dry for at least two weeks before the aquarium can be filled with water.

The rocks should be placed directly on the bottom of the aquarium; then the sand is added. Another means of decoration for the dwarf cichlids would be to use slabs of slate, creating cracks and caves for the fish to hide and breed in. With the dwarf cichlids it is not necessary to provide companion fish, as they are quite content to be with their own species. Because of this the young cichlids can grow up with little of no attention from us.

Add to these fine leafed and delicate plants, and you will have a mini-tank that will bring you hours of pleasure as you watch your dwarf cichlids populate their new home.

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