Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

While at the pond store the other day, I noticed fish moving through, what looked like, thick pool table Felt or some type of rubber Neoprene.

This Neoprene was cut into strips and affixed to a weighted base, to look like a "grass mat" They weren't hiding...

These fish were using this "Fake Grass" to remove/ slick up their sides, like from parasites. Question, what is this material called? I think Laguna sells it along with many others.

I have noticed this behavior in these new fish of mine; Only they are using the slime that has formed on my pump tubing. If they want to scratch their backs, I would like to help them.

I hope my description is enough information, for you to help me.

As always, thank you for your knowledge/advise/tips!

It's normal for fish to have a scratch every now and then Don... for the reasons you mention....

If you see lots of fish doing it.... rubbing their sides on the bottom or other things.... so that you see them "flashing" their silver sides... then the parasite prevalance might need treating...

Typically, we do that by salting at 3ppt.... preferably with water temps above 22C or warmer

thanks Rupe. I'll keep a watchful eye for significant numbers of fish to begin flashing before acting.

here they are, used in aquaculture




http://www.aquamats.com/html/aquaculture_design.html

these guys have a decent description of the product without too much jargon
http://www.lymnozyme.com/AquaMats.html