From: Danio Man 9/25/00
Subject: I'm sorry, but I don't subscribe to defeatist ideology
Kick:
I must disagree with your position. If everyone just decided to "grin and bear it," this country would be a sad place to live. Why don't you tell everyone who has reaped the rewards of the women's suffrage movement, child labor movement and the civil rights movement that the people who fought for change should have just "grinned and beared it." This is a great place to live because of our constitutional right to not have to "grin and bear it."
Finally, I must disagree with your statement that "this does not happen in the business world." Here is one example of many: If someone does not have a cosmetology license, they cannot cut hair in an established business. I am sure that, with some thought, you will find the examples against your claim to grow exponentially.
CT:
Frankly, I have no idea what the purpose of your posts are (Although, I am free to speculate). You repeatedly use the idea of "free enterprise" in an effort to strengthen your position. However, you do not seem to acknowledge the fact that the reason this system works is because of "accountability." That is, a business must be held accountable for its products and services to ensure fair business practices. This is the reason why agencies such as the Better Business Bureau and the Department of Consumer Affairs exist.
Now, in a hierarchically structured corporate system, there is often a lack of knowledge of how stores are actually conducting business. Due to this, there are often QA divisions and regional supervisors who keep an eye on how stores are conducting operations at the local level. However, stores tend to "tidy up" prior to these visits, effectively decieving those who are there to inspect facilities.
I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt to Wal-Mart in that, at the upper-management level, it likely strives to provide the best quality merchandise and services at the best price. However, due to the problems I described above, this upper-level management may not be aware of any deficiencies at the local level. Thus, it seems that a letter-writing campaign/petition would be the most effective way to bring problems to the attention of the upper management. Furthermore, the use of this petition method will make those higher in the structure aware much more directly than when they review a quarterly and realize that profits were down by $500 because some disgruntled fishkeepers just decided to stop shopping there (But they wouldn't know that, would they? Rather, they would write the loss off to expected quarterly fluctuation).
Again, I have no idea what your real objections to this method of change are. Personally, I find your arguments against this method rather weak and contrived. But then again, it doesn't really matter what I think because you have already written me off as immature because of my previous post. However, I was merely responding at a level that I thought you would understand (based on your interrogatory). Trust me, I am quite capable of mature thoughts and posts.
Danio Man
From: Lynn 9/25/00
Subject: Re: I get the point, but.....
Well yes the members of DOAF are some of my closest fish chat friends on the web. I am not young and don't understand the way's of the world yes I know the sole purpose of selling fish is to make a quick profit. I too breed fish and know I must atleast breakeven in order to continue my hobby. I don't expect the walmart employess to be a rocket scientist a fish keeping, just to remove the dead ones and learn which ones can't to with another. I am happy to say that my walmart's conditions have greatly improved. I am not trying to save to world just mearly stop the abuse of some of the fish in the hobby. I do go over to Badman's board and have read your posts on the betta in a vase case and do know you feel as I do on the concept to end some of the misfortune in the world. I think this is all that the DOAF members are trying to do, and I too have been trying to help not so much as Grenpawn, Bohica, Karen, Danio-Man.
I am once again sorry if any disruption has been caused. I will leave you to your board and I will go to mine. But one last note "the fish keeping hobby is not ment for what the hobby can do for us but what we can do for the hobby".
From: D-Boe 9/25/00
Subject: thats the smartest thing youve ever said. right on kick (ill never say that again) no songs this time :)
nm
From: Andrue 9/25/00
Subject: boycott belief
I already boycott the fish department.
they have some stuff i could use, i can get it cheaper online.
however i do buy stuff on the spot if i need it, however i will go down the street
to buy it rather then buy from a walmart.
i would never buy a fish from the walmarts i have been in unless they fix the tanks,
and i dont see how they could do that and be profitable.
i have been to 1 petsmart which 2 times was ok, but 1 time was worse than the walmarts i have been too.
dead fish, uncared for looking tanks. employees telling kids that the dead fish in the tanks were fine, they were just feeder fish that they put in for the other fish.
and moths and caterpillers all throughout the birdfood, dog food and catfood sections.
at that point i did go to walmart to pick up a 50# bag of birdfood.
i love walmarts otherwise, i get oil changes regularly, tire rotations, and buy almost anything i need
that i cant get where i live. the fish department is something i dont buy from. and if anyone is hanging around
i point out to them exactly why buying fish from whatever tank they are looking in is probably going to net them dead fish.
they have definatly lost some sales due to my presense around their tanks.
i also boycott cranberry products due to the mass. military reserve byproducts that you may find in the cranberries.
not to mention i hate the taste of them.
in my opinion, yes boycott is great, everyone who signs that petition should also boycott and get people involved in boycotting.
the petition is a written record of those people and others that can be given to walmart as a general survey so they take notice perhaps.
From: Lynn 9/25/00
Subject: Thank you Andrue!
All I want done in walmart is for their employees to remove the dead fish, and take ever moderaltly decent care of them. And maybe just maybe read a fish book and learn not to put the bettas in with the oscars. But yes other than this I too love walmart.
From: Carissa 9/25/00
Subject: convicts
I know next to nothing about convicts. However, when I was at the lps I saw some little fish (1 inch) that had vertical black and white stripes, so I asked what they were. The owner said they were baby convicts. They looked really cool, so I was just wondering, how long does it take them to grow up, how much room do they need in a tank, and should they be kept with any other fish in the tank? Also, do they spawn easily? I don't need a lot of detailed information, just the basics so that I can decide whether to pursue further research.
From: Jaz 9/25/00
Subject: Re: convicts
Yes convicts do breed easily. In fact do not get convicts if you don't want babies(like some one told me, juvenile dilenquents :P). They are aggressive so keep them with other similar sized aggressive cichlids. they do grow to about 5-6 inches so a bit of space is needed to keep them. a pair will do nicely in a ten gallon tank. Good luck!
Jaz
From: ron 9/25/00
Subject: sick convict
i just lost a pink convict and am concerned about my others. the fish was a female about an inch and a half. she went from a pink to a very pale color. all the others seem to be ok (keeping my fingers crossed). my ph is 7.2 my nitrites are 0 my ammonia is 0 my nitrates are 20 the temp is 72 degrees. this fish has been with me for 3 months. filtration is done by a penguin 170 with bio wheel. i also have a ai stone filter and a bubble screen in a 10 gal tank.i do water changes every sat about 1/3 of the water for decorations i have pvc pipe fittings.ive got 6 convicts in this tank all about an inch to a inch and a half. they get moved to a new tank at first sign of spawning. im sorry about so much info but from reading the more you know about the situation the more you can help also she didnt start acting funny til about 11 oclock last night
From: Terry 9/25/00
Subject: Aquarisol with NovAqua/Amquel OK?
I remember a discussion about NovAqua removing copper from Aquarisol only very slowly in case of an accidental overdose. Does this mean that Aquarisol is good to use for ich (I am currently doing this) if you condition your water with NovAqua/Amquel (I do)? I also added a teaspoon of aquarium salt to my 5.5 gal tank and have been trying to get the temp to 85F. Darn heater either wants to cook my fisk at 90 or above or stay at 80. Had to leave it at 80 this morning so I don't come home to betta soup. Tonight I'll try adjusting again.
From: Barb 9/25/00
Subject: Re: Aquarisol with NovAqua/Amquel OK?
Terry,
It's fine to use Aquari-sol to treat Ich, even if you condition your water with Amquel and NovAqua.
Sounds like you have most things covered, except for that heater thing! I wouldn't shoot for much higher than 84*.
Let us know how things go.
Barb
From: stu 9/24/00
Subject: any of the originals still here?
hey everyone.
i have been visiting this board for about 3 years now but i havn't been around much in the last half yr.
i was just wondering if any others of the originals are still here.
i remember it been just clint, me, jaz, kitty fish, and a few others, are any of u still around?
this site was than called KIS A FISH i think.
From: The Fish Lady 9/25/00
Subject: I have been here a while, I am still here n/m
nm
From: Jaz 9/25/00
Subject: Re: any of the originals still here?
Yes! I remember you! Where ya' been? Clint has a job that prohibits him from being here all the time. Kitty fish is still here (I think)however a few have left to the incessent squabbling thats been going around. Glad to see you back and stick around!
Jaz
P.S. Yes this site was called KIS A FISH, but as you can see it changed.
From: kitty fish 9/25/00
Subject: I'm still here! Sure!
Don't answer much, though. I remember that ol' black and pink and turquoise, was it, board? :) KIS a Fish has grown up quite a bit!
kitty fish
From: Kick 9/24/00
Subject: Yes. Most of them are still here. n/m
nm
From: suze 9/24/00
Subject: the same one who......
kick do you also post at badmans?
From: Kick 9/24/00
Subject: Yes. n/m
nm
From: Jaz 9/24/00
Subject: Small Convicts
I finally did it, I bought a pair of convicts to breed.(a pink and a black, if they are the same sex I'll get another black)The convicts they gave me are 1 inch long and I was wondering. Could I put them in a breeding trap (without the v) and keep them there until they're larger? My kribs I have are breeding and vvveeerrryyyy aggressive. I would like to put them in there and move them back into the tank when they're larger. Is this okay?
Jaz
From: ron 9/25/00
Subject: Re: Small Convicts
you could but the size to convicts isnt to important i have had convicts statr to spawn at 3/4 of a inch the nice thing about convicts is they are hardy fish and dont require a lot of space they will breed in a ten gal tank. also to save the female ( if you have one she will have orange on the belly you might think about more than one female. i would keep them away from the kribs at least until you seperate the fry
From: Jared 9/24/00
Subject: ENUFF!!
ok ppl, we are being childish about a stupid fish board on the internet. It's not all that important, just leave all this crap behind us and go about our normal lives, it's not gonna matter much later on. I would like to do away with all swearing, and racial slurs, and name calling though, but let's just quit picking on kick, and others!
From: Meagan 9/25/00
Subject: Re: been out all weekend... sheesh
I just got back home to see the board up in arms... and I can only read parts of what has been going on... I guess I should be posting this further down, where Kick is attact, but here is where I choose to vioce my 42 cents (inflation you know)... I am certain that what choices Kick has made concerning the board have been in the boards best interest... Kick has not shown anything but professionalism from the first day I started reading this board... it is one of my favorites, and Kick is one of the reasons... I agree that we need to move on, as I have little idea what was going on anyway, I just wanted to vioce my full support for Kick... as she said, sometimes being the boss is not the most fun, but someone has to do it... ;-)
From: Tipperpoo 9/25/00
Subject: Re: been out all weekend... sheesh
I agree that this is the best fish board on the net that I could find. I was actually posting on Yahoo's poor board when someone from there told me I should come here. Since then, I have checked here everyday for questions that I may actually have an answer for(I'm no expert) and I always ask MY questions here. I love this board and I hope it is fixed soon. Thanks for EVERYONE who has helped me with my problems, and I hope things will be fixed soon.
From: Jared 9/25/00
Subject: Re: been out all weekend... sheesh
Thanks 4 agreein with me. And believe me they have been bashing kick to death.
ps
like the 42 cents part LOL
From: Kick 9/24/00
Subject: One more time......
I am going to post here one more time, and I expect "all" of you to listen! If you don't like the way I am running things while Clint is away then might I suggest that you find another board to be on. Do you see what it says on the main page of the MB? If not, I will post it again for you:
"Kick is now the official Petfish Message Board Admin. Your help is needed to keep the Board fun, interesting and clean. Please be considerate of others and make it a nice place for everyone."
Can you now see where it says "your" help is needed to keep the board fun, interesting and "clean"? It has been anything but that in the last two days. And I have noticed that the ones who ordinarily "help" on this board are doing nothing but antagonzing the situation.
Clint gave me job, and I will do it. If this does not meet with the approval of anyone, then I am very sorry. But I will not sit back and let the swearing and "racial" messages (whether it be a person or a fish) overcome this board. I do have the power to delete, and delete I will. As you can see from the two messages below, any newbie coming to this board will not stay more than a minute. Thank you Bohica for coming to my defense. But I promised Clint that I would take care of the board while he is away, and I will not allow it to become like so many other boards that I have fallen upon.
The choice is yours. It will either stop or "any" message that "I" don't like will be outta here. Then when Clint gets home, he can discuss with me and you if what has been going on is "okay" with him. (BTW, I have saved every message that has been deleted for his viewing.) If he feels all of this is fine, then I will be leaving because I don't want to be associated with a board of this type. But until then, and while under my control (yes, folks, I am looking after it right now and I am the "boss" while Clint is away..AND he "gave" me permission to say so) I will control as "I" see fit. Whether you think it is "drunk power" or an ego thing makes no difference to me. Being the boss a lot of times is not much fun, but I have very broad shoulders and I can take what any of you want to dish out to me. But it still boils down to the decisions are mine.
I try my very best to be as polite and nice and give the best advise I can to anyone who posts here. There is a difference between disagreeing and being downright hateful and sarcastic. I will leave with you a saying that my Mother instilled in me years ago, and I think it would be a good idea for all of you to listen to her. She used to say (along with Thumper from the movie Bambi) "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all".
Kick
P.S. To those of you who are interested, the whole thread "does not" have to be deleted as you will see below. But when the swearing started, I saw "red" (as you all know this is absolutely NOT permitted) and felt in order to a stop the "bashing", the deletion of the whole thread was necessary. I am sorry to those of you who were inconvenienced by this.
From: Tipperpoo 9/25/00
Subject: RE:
I was the one who posted about accidentally dropping my fish on the floor. Now that post isn't here. I was just wondering if there was some "bad reply" to it that you had to delete? Because I didn't get to look at all the replies and now its not there. Was there a "bad reply"?
[p.s. I totally agree with what you do and I stand behind you because it is getting a little childish (even though I am considered a child)].
*~Tipperpoo~*
From: Kick 9/25/00
Subject: Re: RE:
Yes, Tipper, I just deleted the entire thread. Before it was said and done, swear words were flying left and right and you know that is not permitted on the board. I don't think they were meant for you in any way, but things just got out of hand. Just won't happen here! So if you wish to post it again, go ahead. Am I right when you were wondering if dropping the fish into the carpet would "hurt" him. If you pick him up ever so gently and make sure the carpet fuzz is off of him, hopefully he will be okay. I have had this happen to a betta, and he did quite well after his trip "down under" (under the tank, that is). Kick
From: ron 9/25/00
Subject: Re: One more time......
i am impressed! i stumbled on your board while looking for more info on cichlids. i raise convicts and dempseys and was looking to expand. one of the things that keeps me coming back is the profesionalism and quality that is here. i dont need all the cuss words i can get that at work. but i do like the opportunity to share in the info with others and maybe even get a chance to help someone else out as kindof a repaymenti appreciate the standard you are trying to keep and if for some unknown reason your boos decides you were wrong you have my support aswell (as i can see) as many others also thanks ron
From: BOHICA 9/24/00
Subject: Re: One more time......
Kick, as im sure you realize that (having my own board) im not a regular to this board, as a matter of fact i had never heard of it until the D.O.A.F brought it to my attention. it just really got under my skin to see the responses given to karen over something as innocent as a petition, "if ya dont like it, dont sign it" is the normal attitude, but things got very sarcastic very quickly here. hopefully you will either get things under control or weed out the instigators soon. good luck.
bohica
www.geocities.com/bohicafish/index.html
From: CT 9/24/00
Subject: What's a DOAF?
Is a DOAF part dwarf and part oaf? Just checking to see if you have a sense of humor. :-)
It's this whole "get things under control" spin that bothers me about your previous post. I'm also concerned about well-intentioned people who are blindly misled by the DOAFs of the world. I like my markets and thoughts the same way I like my speech -- free.
How soon until you're petitioning this site?
CT
From: BOHICA 9/25/00
Subject: Re: What's a DOAF?
yes i have a sense of humor, as a matter of fact i find this whole scenario to be a tad over the top. however i do take the wal mart petition serious, and if you or your regulars have no interest in signing it thats ok by me. but i think the uproar started when the first reply give to karens original post was of a sarcastic nature. it didnt appear that any serious, well thought out answer was forthcoming. also at least 2 people got downright ugly about the whole thing. i figure there are 2 ways to go here, 1 being "agree to disagree" and cya or 2 "online slamming". of the 2 i would pick #1. i guess we will wait and see what happens.
From: Karen 9/25/00
Subject: Re: What's a DOAF?
This has gotten way out of hand. It's a petition, you either agree with it or you don't, sign it or don't sign it, simple enough. There is no need to drag this on for days.
From: BOHICA 9/24/00
Subject: TO KICK
Kick, in all seriousness i cannot believe that a person with your outstanding knowledge and love for our hobby would stoop to associate yourself with this board. I realize that not all the people who post here are like D-BOE, but it does seem like you have ended up with more than your fair share of "unfit" aquarists! please disassociate yourself before the lackadaisacle attitude that is so prevalent here sucks you in.
BOHICA
a strong D.O.A.F
From: Carissa 9/24/00
Subject: my poor fish and some other stuff
I hate to harp on the same thing again, but I still have this female betta who's had dropsy for over two weeks now. She's not getting better, and I'm using epsom salts and tetracycline and temp is 86. All of a sudden today I looked, and half her fins had just fallen off her body onto the aquarium floor. Is this always a sign of an external bacterial/fungal infection or is it just the extended disease getting to her? I feel sorry for her and don't think she'll live long now, but at least I have learned a few things in case the same things come up again. I was just wondering about the fin rot because I don't have much experience with it, and I didn't think fin rot could start as long as I was using tetracycline. Also, if anyone has any suggestions about what I can do for her, they are appreciated, but unfortunately I think the disease is going to get the better of her.
On another (somewhat sad) note, I was changing my male betta's water today and I had him in a small jar while I was doing it. Well, when I turned around, he wasn't in the jar anymore. At the same moment I felt something cold on my foot. Sure enough, he managed to jump out. I'm lucky I didn't step on him. So I got him picked up and put him back in, and he doesn't look too bad, no torn fins or anything, but all the same I put some tetracycline and salt in his water in case an infection decides to take over. Did I do right? Is there anything else I can do to make sure he doesn't get sick? I would hate to lose two in the same week.
Sorry for all the depressing sounding stuff, I guess on the good side my 10 gallon I've had trouble with has finally cycled after two full months and all fish in it are doing quite well.
Oh, one more thing. I have recently acquired a 15 gal. tank, but it has no hood or filter or anything at all. I would be interested in hearing any suggestions for a filter (from the research I've done so far, it looks like a power filter with a biowheel would be a good choice) or also if anyone has built their own aquarium hood, I would be interested in that too. I already have two flourescent fixtures and ballast and all that, it's just a matter of fitting it to the tank in a waterproof and cost effective manner.
Sorry for the long post!
:)
From: Barb 9/24/00
Subject: Re: my poor fish and some other stuff
Carissa,
You've done everything except treat for external parasites (and feed antibiotic food from the LFS?), which in the final stages can make fins fall off. The situation is very bleak for your little girl. Is she suffering? What do you plan to do?
Your boy who fell, if he is behaving fine, then likely... no harm done. A little salt and tetracycline is fine, but probably is a little bit overboard ;)
Chin up,
Barb
From: Carissa 9/25/00
Subject: parasites
What should I get for parasites? The pet store doesn't have medicated food, so I've been soaking flakes in tetracycline and then trying to get her to eat them. She's stopped eating now, though. Can you always see parasites, or are they microscopic? The pet shop here doesn't have much of a selection of medicines, so if you know the chemical name it would be helpful. Right now I'm just keeping the temp up in hopes of killing the bacteria, and doing 50-100% water changes every day. I may try an epsom salts bath to try and get some of the fluid out of her.
Mr. Fishy seems to be fine after his near-death experience yesterday. I'm going to just keep an eye out for any torn fins or damage.
Thanks for the help!
From: Barb 9/25/00
Subject: Re: parasites
Carissa,
You could use Rid-Ich, Ich Control (or even Aquari-sol).
I guess what I was trying to ask you before is, do you think it is time to stop trying? Is she suffering?
Barb
From: Carissa 9/26/00
Subject: Re: parasites
She was suffering yesterday, and she died last night. Before that (before her fins started looking bad) she wasn't acting like she was suffering, she was eating and everything. It was when her fins started falling off that she started acting like she was suffering, so I was rather relieved when she died, because I didn't think there was much I could do for her at that point anyway. Thanks for your help, I'll at least know better what to do next time a fish gets sick.
From: Barb 9/27/00
Subject: Re: parasites
Carissa,
You must feel so sad :(
I agree with you that it was good that she didn't suffer long and went quickly. At least she is with the others in the "Great Pond in the Sky" :)
You did a very good job of taking care of her and you can feel good about that.
Barb
From: ~deb 9/24/00
Subject: Re: my poor fish and some other stuff
Carissa,
I'm really sorry about your betta, their lives are so short and it's so sad when they get ill and don't respond to treatment. : ( But if I were a fish I would want you as my caregiver, I think your bettas are very lucky to have you.
I think we've all had one of our bettas try to "fly the coop", I wonder where they are going?!! : )
~deb
From: Carissa 9/25/00
Subject: :)
I'm not sure where they think they will get to...but I guess it's a good reminder to keep good covers on their bowls at all times!
From: Michael 9/24/00
Subject: Aggressive Danios
I have a 24 inch tank which used to have seven lovely preacox rainbowfish in, oto cats and one corydoras. However, the rainbowfish were very very shy and only really came out at meal times. The back and sides of the tank are very heavily planted, and although it is very aesthetically pleasing you'd have never beleived there were any fish in there. I thought long and hard about the problem and came up with an idea. I'd read about 'dither' fish for Discus and some marines, so I figured I need some small, unaggressive, unshy fish. Three days ago I bought six beautifull leopard danios (two of them long finned). After day one I was really pleased, all the fish were out the front, and even if I put my face right up to the tank (previously a sure way to send the preacoxes into hiding)all the fish seemed completely unbothered. Approaching the end of my first year as a fish keeper I congratulated myself on my solving of the problem.
If only things were that simple. One of the long finned danios is a complete and utter B*****D. Since yesterday if any rainbowfish even pops his head out from behind a plant he gets attacked by this rabid Cyprinid. The rest of his time is spent fervently keeping the other, smaller danios confined to the corners of the tank.
Is he just a bad apple? If I take him back to the shop and replace him with a smaller danio will the next biggest just take his place? Should I flush him down the loo like my worse half keeps suggesting? Someone help me please.
By the way water quality is spot on. I've been water changing every other day, just to be safe, and my pH is nuetral.
From: Rose 9/24/00
Subject: Alternitives
Sorry if I led you to believe ALL danios are that way. Not all are. Alot of them are. The point I was trying to get across (not very well) was that (at least in my tanks) the larger the fish the meaner he gets. As the nipping ect. goes on they all learn from the "leader" the one who does most of the nipping ect.
If stoped you may be able to have a successfull tank this way. By moving the one you may beable to keep the others from learnig the bad habbits from the nipper. That was what I was trying to say and didn't do right. Sorry about that.
As far as to who to listen to my favorites are the small mom and pop stores and to the people on boards that have people like Kick and CT. Of course there are others on this board.
Sorry for the confusion and just remember that what one person says about a fish is what they know from thir fish not necissarily what is true about all fish. Good luck and keep us posted on what happens. Rose
From: Rose 9/24/00
Subject: some answers
I have Danios as well so what I say comes from experience. Danios are a big pain as you have found out. If your fish were hiding before they will really hide now. the way to deal with this is to return the danios and get something else. All the danios will eventually get this attitude. These fish are a good fish to cycle the tank with and are also a very awesome sight to see when they are the only type of fish in the tank and you fill the tank with them. I hope this helps a little. Rose
From: Danio Man 9/24/00
Subject: hold on a minute...
Danios are not a big pain. In fact, they are one of the coolest fish out there(IMO).
Now, Michael has what sounds like an overly aggressive fish. Danios can be aggressive in the chasey/nippy sense, but it tends to be worse in smaller groups. Zebras can be nastier in this respect than Giants, but the bottom line is that fish do differ in aggression level. Not all danios will get that way.
Rather than scrap all of your danios, Michael, why don't you try removing the aggressor and taking him back. Trade him for a fish that appears more mellow (watch the fish in the lfs and single out one. make them catch that one for you).
I use danios as dither fish in my tanks. They are excellent and rather than scaring fish, they make timid fish feel safer. My clown loaches even shoal with my giants.
Don't get turned off by what one person claims to be true, Michael. That goes for my post as well. I am just suggesting an alternative.
Danio Man
From: Michael 9/24/00
Subject: Re: Any suggestions for alternatives?
Thanks alot for your advice Rose. It's the first time I've ever used any kind of interactive thing on the internet so I was pleased to get an experienced reply. Also I figured that most of you are Americans, so I thought you'd probably be in bed if was awake here in Scotland.
I do feel a bit daft taking my fish back, they're from my local pet shop, and I sell home bred guppies to them. I think they had me down for someone who knew what he was doing.
If Danios are always quite aggressive, and I'm prepared to believe that they are, why are they ALWAYS quoted as being excellent, peacefull community fish? I've already discovered alot of other fish keepers talk rubbish most of the time, should I have the same disregard for books and magazines?
Any suggestions for alternative friends for my preacox rainbows, I wanted Asian fish, as I'm trying to set up another tank for South Americans. Cherry Barbs look lovely, but aren't barbs always a bit nippy? Rasboras never look particularly colourfull (or do you say colorfull?)to me. Gouramis, sharks, Bettas all prone to territoriarility I would have thought, and, therefore, not good for putting shy fish more at ease. Other rainbow fish seem quite scarce over here, and would be just as shy anyway surely.
If anyone has any suggestions or advice I would be very glad to hear from you. Thanks.
From: Mel 9/24/00
Subject: PH and small fish
Last week I put together my 38 gallon again, and on friday 9/22 I added three 3/4 inch golden barbs. I did some tests today, and the results were: Ammonia: 0 P.H.: 7.4. Should I buy a PH lowering chemical treatment? I'd like to avoid putting chemicals in. Will the fish be all right? I'm worried about them because they're so small. Also, since my ammonia level is 0, would it be ok to add three more small gold barbs before the week is up? They seem nervous by themselves.
Thanks
From: Rose 9/24/00
Subject: Answers to pH
No you do not need to buy anything for your tank to lower the pH. I have 8 barbs that are all around 2inches. They live in water with a pH of 7.8 They do just fine. I don't add anything to lower the pH. I also have a bala shark, Pictus cats, danios, gouramies, corry cats and swordtails that all live in 7.8 pH. I wouldn't worry about the pH. If it get higher that 7.8 then I would add pH down. Other than that leave it well alone. I hope this helps. Rose
From: Mel 9/24/00
Subject: Re: Answers to pH
Thanks Rose!
Do you keep gouramies and swordtails in the same tank with your barbs?
From: Rose 9/24/00
Subject: Re: Answers to pH
No I don't. I have the barbs in with the Bala sharks and the Pictus cats. I have the swordstails and gouramies in another tank. I did keep the swordtail males in with the barbs for a while then I was able to get a tank big enough that I could put all the swordtails and gouramis together. I don't mix semi-aggressive (barbs) with docile (swordtails and gouramies) together. This makes a headach.
I hope I have helped a little. If you have any more questions let us know and we'll see what we can do for you. Good luck. Rose
From: Mel 9/24/00
Subject: I shouldn't have gotten barbs
What fish can go with barbs? I'm beginning to regret my purchase. Maybe I should return them. The other people in my house seem to like swordtails and gouramies better because of their color. Can corys go with barbs?
From: Rose 9/24/00
Subject: list of compatible fish for barbs
Don't get down on your self for getting barbs. You can get some gouramis that can go with barbs. One type would be the moonlight gourami. These have the attitude to match a barb if it get s botherd by the barb. The moonlight gourami has been know to kill male barbs at their worst. There is a couple more that can go with the barb but I can't bring them to mind right off. Pictus catfish are a good one but they tend to get 12-14in when full grown. I'm not sure about the corry cat but I'll check around and find out for you. Clown Loaches can work, provided you buy the loach larger than the barb to begin with. Just about any kind of shark. Just make sure it doesn't get too big.
A couple of things to remember when choosing tank mates for barbs is this... If it has a long flowing tail (angel fish, some gourami, swordtails) or the fish looks pritier than the barb These will not be good tank mates. You will have trouble. Another thing to remember is barbs are semi-agressive and do not do well with docile fish. They need to be with the same type of fish. I mean semi-agressive with semi-agressive and docile with docile. Don't mix the two and don't put agressive with them. the barbs will be dead real soon after.
The one thing that I have found with my swordtails is that I can not get them to stop breeding. I have too many tanks with fry in them. Hubby won't let me feed the fry to my barbs. I think that would be a tasty treat for them and will give me my dinning room table back. That sounds heartless, I'm sorry. I have 6 females and 3 males. Between them all I have a batch of fry every month or two. That is the problem with live barers. The barbs are egg layers and will not breed in my tank because I have made sure that my pH and temp aren't what they should be for breeding. I won't have the breeding and over crowding with the barbs that I have with the swordtails. Another thing with the swordtails is that you need 2 females for every 1 male so the males won't fight each other. This is just another thing to think about. Swordtails will breed no mater what your water peramiters are at while the barbs need specific water peramiters to breed.
I hope that I have helped answer some of your questions for you. Good luck and let me know if there is anything more I can do for you. I'll tell you more thing. The barbs are a lot more fun to watch when in a large group. they will play and be silly. These are some of my favorite fish. Good luck and talk to you later. Rose
From: Mel 9/24/00
Subject: Thanks a bunch Rose, I'm glad you're here (nm)
nm
From: Rose 9/25/00
Subject: You re welcome Mel. Glad I could help. n/m
n/m
From: Jared 9/24/00
Subject: Female Bettas
I will assure u that this is not a classified add, but i was wondering if any one out there knew of a company/website that sold female bettas. Also i was reading the follow-up posted on that other guy's needin a betta, and kick said something about the bettas needin to be conditioned. How do u do this?
From: I know of one 9/24/00
Subject: Re: Female Bettas
email me for info
From: kay 9/24/00
Subject: HELP!
I hope you can help me - I have just inherited an aquarium and know nothing about what kind of fish I have in the tank. Is there any web site where I can identify the fish I have by just appearance/size etc.
Thanks and hope you can help!
Kay
From: Rose 9/24/00
Subject: places to look
To look up the fish go to metacrawler.com. Type in tropical fish, freshwater tropical fish, something that has to do with tropical fish and you will get all sorts of hits. You could also go to a pet shop that sells fish and take a look and see if you see what you have. Many of those that use this board could tell you what types of fish you have as well. You could look in fish books to find out. I hope these suggestions help. Good luck.
One other thing if you need help with anything let us know so we can help. Rose
From: kay 9/24/00
Subject: Re: places to look
Thanks Rose
Having severe problems as I don't know much about fish! They all appeared to be at the top of the tank this afternoon "gasping for air" and I finally realised that there was a loose connection and my filter was not working. It appears to be working now but I'm not sure if the fish will last the night. Fingers crossed.
I'll certainly be in touch if things go well!!
Kay
From: Rose 9/24/00
Subject: Thing to get ASAP
you will need to get a test kit that has ammonia, nitrIte and pH. You will also need to get a test for nitrAtes. These are things you will need when you set up your tank. I think that the tank has been cycled but I'm not positive. How long was the tank up and running before you got it? How many gallons does it have? What do the fish look like? Do you know what the fish are, for example are there any swordtails, danios, that kind of stuff. If you can give us some info we may be able to help you get the tank running the way it should be with out too much trouble. I hope I have helped a little. Good luck and talk to you soon. Rose
From: kay 9/25/00
Subject: Re: Thing to get ASAP
Thanks for your advice Rose! Found one fish dead this morning and the rest are still at the top of the tank and have rapid gill movements. However they appear to have picked up since last night as the majority were listless on the tank bottom when I left them at 2 am this morning. My husband thinks I'm mad but I hate the thought of them dying through my own lack of knowledge. I have no idea what kind of fish I have - the smallest one is yellow with a spot on his tail and has very large black eyes. It's about 5 cm long. The others are all brown with black stripes with spots on their tails. I was told by someone they will change colour in the next month or so. They vary in size up to about 15cm. I'm so sorry I can't provide you with much more info but I am very much a novice and due to the circumstances in which I "inherited" this tank I did not receive any information.
I phoned the guy at our local pet shop here in Northern Ireland and he said it had been the fact that the filter had been turned off. The water is much clearer now, however I will go and see if I can find the test kit. If there is too much ammonia/nitrates in the water, what can I do?
The tank is 3 foot long by 1 foot deep - all the info I have I'm afraid.
The tank was set up in my home with the original water that was in it (the tank has been going for about 18 months) and topped up with tap water with stress coat to take the chlorine out).About 1/4 of the tank was topped up.
Thanks for your help and will speak to you soon.
Kay
From: Carissa 9/25/00
Subject: water change right away
If they are gasping for air, there's something wrong with the water, most likely a build up of ammonia, so do a 25% water change right away.
From: Rose 9/25/00
Subject: Re: water change right away
You need to do a water change NOW!!! Like Carissa said if they are gasping for air there is something wrong with the water. To help them out a little bit go get a bubble wand, air tubbing and a air pump. By putting the bubble wand in the tank with them you are helping to oxenigate the water for them. This is a good thing it will help a little by giving them the air they need right now.
Stress coat will not take the ammonia, chlorine, chlorimines or toxic metals out of the water which is what you need to do. Stress coat will help the fish with the protective slime coat they have. It will also help them when stressed.
When you do a water change you need to add the water conditioner to the water BEFORE you put the new water in the tank with the fish. By doing this you are not putting poisons in the tank with your fish but removing them.
For the life of me I can't think of a single fish that isn't a chichlid(sp) that resembles what you have. I could be wrong on that. Some one else may be able to help in that department.
What I do for my tanks when they get high ammonia or nitrItes is I so water changes. I do small water changes every 3-4 days till it's gone and I have found the problem. I take about 20-25% of the water when doing this. I have found that this is cheeper and better for the fish than buying all sorts of chemicals to put in the tank to get rid of it. That is just my opinion and as you will see not everyone here has that opinion. That is fine.
Sorry if the spelling is weird. I had a long night with my daughter and didn't sleep much so the spelling isn't quite what it should be. Good luck and I'll bee talking to you real soon. Rose
From: Carissa 9/25/00
Subject: stress coat
I might be wrong, but I thought stress coat did actually take the chlorine out, as well as adding some other stuff that helps out with the slime coat. Anyone have a bottle that says?
From: Rose 9/26/00
Subject: Re: stress zyme
I thought it was stress zyme that did that. I could be wrong considering I don't use either of them. Rose
From: jigga 9/24/00
Subject: does anyone here keep archer fish and/or puffers
could you give me some info on them.
From: Meagan 9/25/00
Subject: Re: a salt question... while we wait to see if jigga comes back.. 8-)
I keep two green spotted puffers myself... They live in a 29 gal. all by themselves... they are just babies right now... only about an inch and a half long... cute as buttons... brackish water... what Ph do you have your tank at Kittyfish?.. and how does one know just how much salt is in the water?... after water changes and such, I worry that I may not be adding enough, or too much...
Thanks... I just thought I would throw another question in there, in case jigga doesn't come back... ;-)
~~~~~~~ Meagan ~~~~~~~~~~
From: kitty fish 9/25/00
Subject: Re: a salt question... while we wait to see if jigga comes back.. 8-)
My pH is, uh, ALKALINE! LOL! I really don't know for certain, which isn't a good place to be. I know my tap water is hard, I add sea salt, and I have crushed coral substrate, so that keeps it pretty well up there. I believe a hydrometer (used to measure specific gravity) will give you all the information you need to get your salinity in order. Hydrometers are weighted tubes that float in certain temperatures of water to measure dissolved substances or something like that. Specific gravity of pure water is 1.00, right? I basically just add 1 teaspoon per gallon after every water change. I've had one of my puffers for 9 months and this seems to suit him just fine. Good luck keeping them happy and healthy!
kitty fish
From: kitty fish 9/24/00
Subject: Erm.. take what as a no?
People don't respond instantaneously as in chat rooms, if that's what you were thinking. ;) I keep a couple Puffers myself. Here in a very short while, I will have torn down one of my 55-gallon Goldfish tanks, and have set it up as brackish for the puffs, who are now housed in a 20 long. In a couple weeks, the petshop should have in the Archer Fish I ordered and I'll be well on my way to a tank I've wanted for a long time! Anyone want 5 large Goldies? :)
kitty fish