From: Emily
Subject: setting up new tank - black moor question
Hi all. My mom has a 15 gallon octagon aquarium set up in our living room that we've had for a long time now. I have this little dinky one in my room with 4 feeder gold fish in it. I've had those fish since January. Well I decided to set up a real aquarium in my room (we've got two 10gallons in the garage) well last night I bought another feeder goldfish, a calico fantail goldfish (i think that was the name) and a black moor. I was going to rescue a betta too, but the guy said they dont live in the same water temp. He said that I can only put gold fish with my black moor. Well in the living room, we have goldfish and a betta in the tank (amoung others) and they are in the same water temp. so why can i not put a betta in my bedroom tank? I totally fell in love with my betta, and with the black moor, but I didn't feel like arguing with the guy so I put the betta back. What I am wondering is what water temperature do black moors require? right now all my fish are in a teeny tank with no heater in it. I would really like to put them in my new set up, as it's compleat now. If anyone can tell me what temp black moors need, I would really appreciate it.
Emily
From: anthony
Subject: betta fishies
HOw do u tlel a female betta fish from a male!!
From: chris
Subject: guppies
At what age do guppies start to show there colors?
From: Stacey
Subject: Mollies
hey, can anyone tell me how to distinguish the sex of mollies?? I have 4 of them, 2 are orange, one is white w/orange markings (very light), and one black one. The orange ones seem to be more fuller than the other 2, so would that make them females??
From: Hi
Subject: Re: Mollies
Look at the fin near the fishes'poop hole. If its a male the fin there will be like a rod, if its a female the fin will be normal, like a little fan.
HTH.
XXX
From: Stacey
Subject: thanx
as with everyone else, I am excited about this board. I have learned much about caring for my "Blind Moor", although after reading more, now I understand why his tank is always cloudy!! I didn't realize goldfish were so messy. That doesn't mean I don't love them anyless lol. Thanx again people for answering my questions.
From: Christopher
Subject: Happy to meet you all!!!!!
I am so glad that I found this message board. I have found so much usefull and hellpfull info in just the last 5 days that I have been reading it. I am just getting started on my first tank (10 gallon) and am enjoying myself emensly! The next tank I am going to do will be a 10 gallong for my son that will feature a Betta (he loves them) and some tetras. after that I am going to set up a 29 gallon for my wife in which I will let her pick (with my research and guidence) some larger more aggressive fish than I prefer. Once I have that done, I am going to go on to my second tank (55 gallon) in which I am going to put a lot of small schooling fish (I want a large comunity, not a small comunity of large fish:)) Anyway I am a father of 3;9(boy);6(girl);5(boy). I am happily married. And I am 28 years old. Well, so much for the intro. Like I said, happy to meet you all. And a special thank you to whomever hosts this message board!
From: Mandi
Subject: How can you know to remove the eggs of Danios
Hi my name is Mandi,
How can you know to remove the eggs before the Danio fish gets them? From, Mandi
From: AJB
Subject: Happy birthday to me!
Todays my birthday.
I would also like to let you guys know that water sprite is the plant to have. Mine was 6" when I bought, now it is 23".
From: Drew (Hawaii)
Subject: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOOOOOOOOU!!!
...
From: Drew (Hawaii)
Subject: Last question for the day I swear! What is the right way to change water? N/T
...
From: AJB
Subject: Re: Last question for the day I swear! What is the right way to change water? N/T
With a gravel cleaner. You should clean the gravel when you do a water change. It will cost from $5 to $70 depending on what you want and where you buy it, and what it does.
From: katie
Subject: Re: Last question for the day I swear! What is the right way to change water? N/T
Water wise, it would be best to syphion it out. with airling tubing, about 2o percent weekly. add room temp , conditioned-add it slowly as possible. If you can rig up a bucket above the tank-yu can syphion it back in and this will be really gentle on fish, but if you pour it in try not to do it fast:)
From: Drew (Hawaii)
Subject: A question re: food, infections, gravel filters, and ping pong balls...
Once again thank you all very much for your awesome advice and kind thoughts. Here are my questions.
1. My beta does not seem interested in eating much. I am currently using freeze dried blood worms, BettaMin (Tropical Medley,) and frozen baby brine shrimp. I am concerned. He swims around vigerously (sp?) in his gallon jug. Is everything ok?
2. I now have 2 goldfish one named Yoda ( an Oranda) for his uncanny resemblance (sp again?) to the Star Wars character. And one named Darth. (*groan) Darth is a Black Moore. Shudda named him Duddly. Anyway Darth, the Moore, has a scratch on his right eye. Seems easy to do since his eyes poop out like ping pong balls. Over the past day there has been a puss-like white film growing around it. Is this an infection? If so what should i do?
3. Final question: I bought this cheap gravel filter cleaner thingie... and wouldn't ya know it, the thing doesn't work for beans. Can anyone suggest an inexpensive gravel filter cleaner thingie that I can pick up at the pet shop that works well? (Under 20-25 bucks would be nice!)
Lastly just wanted to let you guys know what products I am using. If you have any suggestions, or comments I really would love to hear them.
1. Stress Coat
2. TetraMin Pro (for the gold fish)
3. Blood worms (beta food)
4. BettaMin - Tropical Medley (beta food)
5. Frozen baby brine shrimp - (for goldfish & beta)
6. Aquarium Salt. (1 Teaspoon per gallon)
7. I change my water in both my 1 gallon, and 10 gallon 50% once a week.
PS Sorry!!! What's the ideal tank temp. for a beta, and a goldfish?
Thank you all so much. I really am sorry for all the questions. I just am becoming so attached to my fish I want to make them as happy and healthy as possible. Thanks again.
Drew
From: katie
Subject: Re: A question re: food, infections, gravel filters, and ping pong balls...
Many people will argue that bettas need two gallons or more-mine are very healthy in one gallon and seem quite content.
There is a link for a goldfish article on this site-it will tell you EVERY thing you need to know! YOu will have to work very hard to keep these guys in good health-and most likely will need a larger tank-please read the article on the main menu-it is very helpful in understanding how to take care of them, and why they need so much room.
Back to betta-Buy him some betta bites, mine love them. PetSmart sells them. does he notice the food when you drop it in? Mine wiggle around so much sometimes that i have to wiggle my finger in the water to point out where the food is...Anyway Betta bites claim to be appetite stimulating-i really hope he starts eating...
I am not to knowlegeable on filters to be quite honest-but with your gold fish I would think about investing in a Bio-wheel filter-they are supposed to be really good-also there are underground filters, and other filters that hang on the back-i would even think some people use the underground in conjucntion with a bio-wheel-Gold fish are very very messy-HTH some, READ THAT ARTICLE!
From: katie
Subject: Re: A question re: food, infections, gravel filters, and ping pong balls...
Sounds like fungus on the eye to me-but stick around and see what everyone else thinks-if it were fungus-there are fungal medicaitons out there:)
From: katie
Subject: Re: A question re: food, infections, gravel filters, and ping pong balls...
Sounds like fungus on the eye to me-but stick around and see what everyone else thinks-if it were fungus-there are fungal medicaitons out there:)
From: Any advice?
Subject: I just dont know what to do. :-( :-( :-(
My fish have got internal bacteria infections and it seems that they cannot be cured. I have tried all sorts of commercial medicines, with no effect. Its coming to the point that I cant bear to look at them because I know that another little guy will be ill.
I do everthing right, Im sure, feeding, cleaning etc.
Is there a home for Sick fish I could give them to???
I just wish they were happy and healthy and that I could enjoy them cos right now im really upset. :-(
Thanks for listening.
XXXXXXXXXX
From: Carol
Subject: Re: I just dont know what to do. :-( :-( :-(
Are you sure that it is an internal bacterial infection? Have you tried Parasite Guard, or Fungus Guard? Maracyn-2? What type of fish are they, and what are their symptoms?
From: KTxx
Subject: Re: I just dont know what to do. :-( :-( :-(
Mollies, b tiger barbs.
Mollies thin,
Tiger barb has red patch under skin.
From: Carol
Subject: Re: I just dont know what to do. :-( :-( :-(
http://www.petsofparis.com/petstore/pages/fishchar.htm
Check out this page, scroll down to where it says thin fish. It may be that they have Internal Parasites, rather then in internal bacterial infection, since you say you have tried to cure that, but it has not worked. This page says to use Internal Parasite Guard. I dont know what to say about the red patch on your Tiger Barb.
Good luck!
From: Rebecca
Subject: baby balloon mollies
Hi
my balloon mollie had about 30 babies a week and 4 days ago. everyday 3 or 4 die. only 3 are alive now. the aquarium water was tested by a local pet store and they said the ph, ammonia, etc was all fine. i keep the temperature of the tank 76-78. the babies are in a breeding net with fake plants, and i feed them several times a day finely crushed up flake food. does anyone know why they are dying and what i can do to keep the remaining 3 alive?
thank you
From: Hi
Subject: Re: baby balloon mollies
All I know is that there is a high mortality rate with baby fish. I know, it sucks doesnt it?
Im sorry im not much help.
From: Tonya
Subject: Bottom Feeders
My ghost shrimp died this morning, I'm assuming he died of "natural causes"(all water tested proved okay),and I had him for a while.
He was sharing a 3 gallon Eclipse tank with my Betta and one cory cat. I was wondering
if anyone recommends a different type of bottom feeder to replace him. He was extremely
aggressive (I caught him one time actually taking the food out of the cories mouth!!!) BUT
he kept my tank clean.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
From: christina
Subject: Re: Bottom Feeders
i'd get another cory cat so you have a pair of them. i just got 6 panda corys for my 55 gallon and they are absolutely adorable to watch. with only a 3 gallon, though, i'd only get one more. i know panda corys like to be paired and from what i've read corys are much happier and thrive when in at least a pair, although some corys do better in trios, etc. so read up before you buy
From: Karen
Subject: I agree
Another Cory.
Ghost shrimp are rather short lived, about a year.
My bettas always tear them up pretty good.
I keep them in a brackish water tank with bumble bee gobies and they do very well.
From: brenda
Subject: dead betta...
I'm so bum'd. I got my mom a Betta 5 mos. ago to put in a big glass bowl with plants for oxygen. I'ts been doing great! Then, I noticed the little guy with his head sticking down almost under the glas marbles. Every once in awhile, it would wiggle around, but then float(more like sink) back the the bottom head first. I've been trying to figure it out. Why so sudden??? If it's this velvet disease, can it kill this fast? It just laid at the bottom for quite awhile breathing kind of hard and slow.The gill cover seemed to be opened wide to get more air. Could i have had too many plant roots? I did'nt notice any gold/black dust or white cotteny film. And my little guy wasn't listless. Actually, it seed to be hungry all the time, but not fat. Not over feed looking. The back fins at the tips about 1/3 up, seemed almost transparent. I diden't see it yesterday. Yesterday, happy go lucky. Today, when i got home, he was baerly hanging on. What happned? What diden't i see or do?
From: Mary
Subject: Re: dead betta...
Sorry you lost the Beta. They need to breathe air so the plant interfered with his natural need to breathe. If you get another please do not put the plant or anything that covers the top so that it impedes his ability to go to the top to breathe. Also, if he is in anything less than 2 gallons make sure to change his water at least 50% twice a week. For 2 gallons if not overfeeding once per week would be adequate. Transparent fins are re-growth, so he probably had fin rot at some time. I give my betas BloodWorms (defrozen), Beta bites, Hikari bits. They do like to have a plant or ornament/cave they can rest on. HTH
From: erin
Subject: Re: dead betta...
what were you feeding it? they need real food besides plant roots, you may know this already, but it doesn't hurt to check! unless it is just old! bettas are very easy to care for, so if you were feeding betta food/fish food and regular water changes, it is possible he was just old.
From: Mandi
Subject: How much to feed a Pregant fish Danios?
Hi my name is Mandi,
I have a kind of fish Danios. I would like to know how much should i feed my pregnat fish Danios every day or every other day? From, mandimaling@hotmail.com
From: Karen
Subject: Re: How much to feed a Pregant fish Danios?
Danios are not pregnant, they are egg scatterers. Most of them are very easy to breed if you have malke and female. However they also eat their eggs about as fast as tehy can lay them.
From: Lindsey
Subject: Clown loach help
Can anyone tell me about clown loaches?? i need their full size, can they go with rams, kribs, gouramis, and other smaller fish?? My mom got me 2 of the CUTEST LITTLE THINGS, and they are about the size of your pinky nail.
Thanx
From: AJB
Subject: Re: Clown loach help
Family: Cobitidae
Species: Botia macracantha
Max Size: 12 inches. They grow very slow. At 9" they are worth an unbelievable amount of money because of their size. ($100+)
Diet: Carnivorous, some plants though
Tank Level: Bottom
Tempermant: Likes to school; peaceful; noctournal; needs good hiding places, like caves.
The fish they go with that you mentioned:
Rams, yes
Kribs, no
Gouramis, yes
small fish, yes
anything but mean chiclids (which is most); likes peaceful companions
From: Karen
Subject: Re: Clown loach help
I have seen them around 9 inches long.
These loaches are scaleless like their water temperatures to stay in the ranges of 75-86 degrees. They require large tanks to accommodate their growth. In the home aquarium, clown loaches sometimes reach sizes of 8" and more. If well cared for, clown loaches can live for a very long time. They also tend to be slow growing.
Clown loaches are social fish they like to have a companion. They eat shrimp pellets, flake food, live foods such as small snails and shrimp, and slices of zucchini, they are well known for eating snails.
From: christina
Subject: food for plecos and corys
food other than algae wafers for corys and plecos? they don't seem to like algae wafers all that much. i think i read somewhere that they like squash, lettuce, and cucumbers. can anyone verify that?
From: erin
Subject: Re: food for plecos and corys
i have a whole school of albino corys in my community tank and they LOVE cucumbers, and maybe my corys are strange, but they eat peeled baby carrots, too! other than that, their favorite is shrimp pellets. good luck!
From: Karen
Subject: Re: food for plecos and corys
and zuchini
From: Stacey
Subject: blind moor
I just recently acquired a "Blind Black Moor" the pet shop said he had that eye disease and they removed his eyes, well what can I do to ensure that he gets enough food? He is in a considerably smaller tank than what the pet store had him in, he is now in a 12 gallon tank, is there anything special I should do for him?? Help please???
From: Karen
Subject: Re: blind moor
He will find fod by "smell". If you do the same thing everytime you feed him he will learn that means dinner. Also you might feed him in the same part of the tank. But even if you do nothing special he will eat and get along just fine.
From: Stacey
Subject: Re: blind moor
thanx, I did notice that he collects food from the bottom of the tank, but the petshop said to put floating pellets in the water, well I did, and he has not seemed to notice them, but is still scrounging on the bottom of the tank. Also his "poop" is pink, could that be from the colored flakes he was eating or is it something wrong with him?
Thanx
From: Karen
Subject: Re: blind moor
The color could have been the food. I never recomend floating foods for goldfish, it can lead to swim bladder problems. I always let my dry food soak for just a few seconds or longer for pellets.
From: christina
Subject: bristlenose 'catfish' versus 'pleco'
is the bristlenose pleco actually a catfish? when i bought them the salespeople kept referring to them as plecos, but i've been doing some reading on the internet and at the bookstore and have found in most places that they are referred to as catfish? are catfish and pleco more or less the same thing?
From: Karen
Subject: Re: bristlenose 'catfish' versus 'pleco'
Neverthought about it, but given their eating differences I am sure they are not.
One has a sucker mouth and one doesn't.
One eats algae an the other eats fallen foods.
From: Timboi
Subject: Re: bristlenose 'catfish' versus 'pleco'
Well there's a Bristlenose Catfish that has a sucker mouth and eats algae. It's listed as a bristlenose catfish on almost all the sites I can find, and it seems to definitely be a catfish - it grows to about 15cm in length. There may also be a bristlenose pleco, so this may cause confusion
From: Eddie
Subject: Re: bristlenose 'catfish' versus 'pleco'
i believe both are one and the same, they just list all bottom feeders and algae eaters as catfish. bristlenoses are popular as that they are great for planted tanks and get only 5-6 inches. they are bred in aquariums also.
From: christina
Subject: hospital tank
i'm interested in setting up a hospital tank, but am not sure how to go about it. does anyone have any idea? how big do i need it to be? do i need to leave it running all the time like the tanks that i actually have fish in? can i use a 2 or 2.5 gallon? do i need to have it heated? the fish i have are tetras, corys, and a couple bristlenose plecos.
any help would be greatly appreciated.
From: AJB
Subject: Re: hospital tank
The minimum size for a hospital is a five gallon. I would get a ten if I were you. Yes It needs to be heated. It should also have a filter, even though any medication will probably kill the bacteria. I would have a filter to disturb the water and provide some mechanical filtration. I would not get an air pump. Any questions, just ask.
AJB
From: KJaren
Subject: Re: hospital tank
I never set mine up to run all the time. A filter to move the water and remove poop and uneatin food is a good idea but as AJB said, don't worry about biobugs as most meds kill most of the good stuff anyway. You are also usually doing frequent large water changes so the biofilter is not as important.
From: Laine
Subject: Gestation period of Swordtail fish
My swordtail fish recently gave birth to 16 babies. I have had her in a tank alone since I bought her therefore I assume she was already pregnant when I bought her. I had only had her around 3 months when she gave birth and I'm just curious as to how long the gestation period is for this type of fish. Thanks.
From: cheryl
Subject: Re: Gestation period of Swordtail fish
Hi, swords carry there fry 28 days, Cheryl
From: Kaci
Subject: Trading fishes???
Trading fish??? You mean swopping them??
Explain! (dont do it in the UK)
From: Alyssa
Subject: Re: Trading fishes???
Yes, i give you fish. In return, you give me some kind of fish i don't or do (depending on the case) have. If you ever try it, i recommend going and seeing the fish tank you're getting them from. That way you can see if they are in a heathly tank and how they reacted with other fish.
From: kizzi
Subject: Karen! Reply about thin fishes!
They are sailfin and dalmation mollies, approx. 1y old
no recent changes in water quality, aqua salt in water(benefits mollies)
Appetites totally normal.
Why are they thin?
I dont want them to die.... :-(
From: Hi karen!
Subject: Re: Karen! Reply about thin fishes!
Erm, if it is worms, how do you deal with them?
From: Kizzi
Subject: Re: Karen! Reply about thin fishes!
No, I didnt rudely mean "REPLY ABOUT THE FISHES NOW!" I meant that this is a reply to your questions.
I have have just started to put in this commercial stuff recommended by my LFS along with this Aquasalt that is meant to heal fish quicker.
But isnt it odd how these fish have been thin for months and the ones I had B$ died very quickly?
From: Karen
Subject: Re: Karen! Reply about thin fishes!
It is wierd. I am guessing the others were sicker than these when you bought them.
I know there are a couple of wasting away diseases but not enough about them to comment.
Try what the LFS recomended. However should they die I would get my my next ones from a different store and see if you have better luck.
From: Karen
Subject: I did
Here is what I replied before
"I would suspect an infection or worms, but as you said they usually die quickly. Have you medicated them with anything yet? "
From: christina
Subject: books on corys and plecos
any ideas about good books to buy about corys and plecos?
From: christina
Subject: Re: books on corys and plecos
i went to barnes and noble at lunch and have ordered "Corydoras: the most popular catfishes of South America" by some guy named 'seuss'. anyone know anything about it. it got a good review over the internet on www.planetcatfish.com
From: christina
Subject: thoughts on adding salt to aquarium with tetras, corys, and plecos
i have a 55 gallon tank with tetras, six panda corys, and two bristlenose plecos -- any input about adding aquarium salt to the water. i read a msg about someone who said they put tropical fish aquarium salt in the water (is this the same as just regular aquarium salt?). anyway, i've read conflicting reports about salt. what i've been doing thus far is adding 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt with every other water change (6-7 gallon). i do a partial water change every week. i figure adding this small amount won't harm any fish that doesn't like it and will be beneficial to fish that do like it.
p.s. i dissolve the salt in a glass of hot water and then add to tap water that has been treated with stress coat and let sit for at least 24 hours. sound about right?
one more thing -- for the first few water changes i put a thermometer in the treated water before doing a water change to make sure it was the same temp -- usually it was not and i needed to add hot water to get the temp up. is this necessary since its only 6-7 gallons? i've read conflicting things on that too.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!
From: Karen
Subject: I'll tell you how I do MY water changes and salt use
I have 6 tanks ov varying size with goldfish, ottos, gold tetras, pristella tetras, male bettas, jewel cichlids, bumble bee gobys, ghost shrimp and I think that is all of them.
I do not have have chloromine in my water so I do not use a water conditioner. I believe there is chlorine but that evaporates. I also do not have a water softener.
I take out anywhere from 20 = 50% of the water.
I put 1/4 teaspoon salt in each jug, aquarium salt or sea salt.
I go to my tap and fill my milk cartons jugs with water that is close to the right temp as can get it, I go by feel.
I walk over to my fish tanks and dump it in slowly enough that the fish do not get blown all around the tank. I pour it directly over large rock structures to blow out any gunk that might be hiding in the cracks for the filter to pick up.
My fish live for years and I usually either trade them in or give them away after several years so I can change my tanks around. Right now I have some tetra von rios that are at least 7 years old.
I repeat, this is what I do and it works for me. So if what you are doing is working keep it up. If you are looking for an easier way try it a little different, however if things start looking a little off go back to what you were doing.
The problem with following how someone else does it exactly is every communities water makeup is a little different.
From: christina
Subject: reply to karen
i just got the corys and plecos last night and i'm not sure how they'll do with salt in the water. i guess for the time being i'll just keep doing what i've been doing with the 1 tablespoon every other water change (6-7 gallons). i think i do have chloramine in my water so that's why i'm using the stress coat. thanks for the advice. does this sound like too much salt -- what are your thoughts on that.
From: Karen
Subject: Re: reply to karen
It is my understanding Plecos do not care for salt. I have not kept a pleco in years because they get so big.
The only problem I see with adding the salt everyother water change would be the fluctuation. But it may be working out ok for you, 1 tablespon is about 1/4 teaspoon per gallon roughly.
From: christina
Subject: Re: reply to karen
its a bristlenose pleco so won't get any bigger than about 5 inches which is why i got a couple of them. any idea on what i should feed them? i have algae wafers, but they aren't expressing a lot of interest in them. i'm going to go search on the internet for more info on them. i went to a bookstore at lunch, but they didn't have anything on catfish or plecos specifically so i ended up ordering one, but won't have it for another week or so.
From: Karen
Subject: Re: reply to karen
Spinach and zuchini
From: christina
Subject: Re: reply to karen
okay, i've got some good ideas for food. next question, how much should i feed them and how long should i leave any remaining food in the tank before removing it? i've got 6 panda corys and 2 bristlenose plecos.
From: Mandi
Subject: Pregant Danios Fish
Hi My name is Mandi,
I have a fish is kind of Danios and is Pregant. How much to i feed my fish? Please send me a nice reply for this? From, Mandi
From: Karen
Subject: Re: Pregant Danios Fish
If it is a danio it is not pregnant. Danios are egge scatterers, that is they scatter their eggs all over the place for the male to fertilizer during the chase.
She may be full of eggs which she will probably absorb after time unless their is a male i the tank to help with the fertilization.
From: AJB
Subject: oppss... to christnia...
Sorry to christnia she posted two days ago and I failed to see it. opps.
So do you like the book?
If I get any other Ideas I will let you know.
AJB
From: christina
Subject: reply to ajb
yes, the book has been quite helpful. thanks again!
From: Clint
Subject: Buying and selling fish online try Aquabid.com
http://www.aquabid.com
A new place I've just discovered has hundreds of listing of fish and supplies for sale by individuals and businesses. It's interesting to see even if you aren't in the market.
From: Megan
Subject: mollies and babies
tonight my mollies had babies. there are at least 20 of them but they are so small it is hard to see
them. i need advice about what to do with the babies. will the parents eat them?
From: AJB
Subject: Re: mollies and babies
Yes the parents will eat them. Put them in a different tank, a ten will be ok. You don't need a filter but a sponge filter is nice. Livebearers have this thing with eating their kids.... ;-)
AJB
From: Alyssa
Subject: Trading Fish
Does anyone live near me (central Alberta) who wants to trade fish? I have 2 palm-sized Angels (a breeding pair) whom i'd be willing to trade for something different. I already have guppies, Bala sharks and Calistris (sp?) tetras (although every pet store i go to calls them some other kind of tetra so who knows).
From: Karen
Subject: Re: Trading Fish
Wish I lived closer, I would love a pair of angels.
From: Lindsey
Subject: Re: Trading Fish
HI! where abouts in cantral AB?? i live in alberta to. I live in slave lake. And id love a pair of angels. do you like gouramis?
From: Alyssa
Subject: Re: Trading Fish
I live in Eaglesham, which is about 1 hour west of Donelly (sp?) Corner, south of Peace River. You, my dear, live only about 2 hours away, do you not? I have only driven by slave lake a few times but you are closer then Edmonton anyway!
What kind of gouramis do you have? 've seen them before but am not too familar with them. They breath like Bettas don't they? or at least build bubble nests. Or am i thinking of the wrong fish?
From: Lindsey
Subject: Re: Trading Fish
Hi again! i have 2 spawning pearl gouramis. Ya, they do breath and build bubble nests like bettas. (they look nothing like bettas though)
thanx
Lindsey
From: Alyssa
Subject: Re: Trading Fish
Do they fight like Bettas? Can they live in a bowl? (they wouldn't but i'm curious) They're a mated pair? I'm gonna surf the web and find out some info on them. If you're serious about trading, email me at anchort@telusplanet.net
Alyssa
From: Lindsey
Subject: upsidedown catfish??
I was wondering since when fish die, they usually turn upside down. WEll if a upside down catfish died, would it turn rightside up?
From: Karen
Subject: LOL
Good Question,
From: AJB
Subject: Re: upsidedown catfish??
I don't think so. My fish do not always float when they are dead, so not all dead fish do float. I don't think it would turn rightside up.
lol
AJB
From: katie
Subject: Re: upsidedown catfish??
Provacative minds want to know! LOL
I don't have the foggiest-but if i had a bigger tank and know more about them! I would totally get them-they are so fascinating and active:)
From: Attila
Subject: Setting up a 20 gall.
I am thinking of getting myself a 20 gallon tank from my christmas money if I get enough. If I do do this I will just buy an empty one and then buy all the other "stuff" seperately. What will I need? Can you make me a shopping list?
Thank you very much,
Attila
P.S. Here is everybodys favorite.
I would also appriciate if you gave me some ideas on plants and fish. My favorite theme would be Amazon (River maybe?). Thank you.
From: vermonster
Subject: Re: Setting up a 20 gall.
Since money may be an issue may i suggest buying your tank and setup used. Maybe at a yard sale, in the paper, or a pet store going out of business. I have 9 different tanks ranging from 2 1/2 gal. to 55 gal. and most of them i got for free or very cheap. You'll find that when people are moving, or just desperate to get rid of things they'll almost pay you to take it. I would never pay the outrageous prices the petstores around here expect for whole tank set-ups. Maybe i'm just a cheap bastard but the only thing i buy at the pet store is fish and plants, which is the cheapest thing to buy anyway. Don't get me wrong petstores are great but not for my hard earned money. It's something to think about anyway.
Vermontster
From: Alyssa
Subject: Re: Setting up a 20 gall.
Well there's smarter people then myself who can tell you what you need to set up your tank. I just wanted to pass on some fish info, seeing as how you said Amazon River. That, of course, brings to mind Angel fish. I bought 7 quarter-sized ones for 99 cents each over a year and a half ago, and they were in a 20 gal tank. Well they were so beautiful i ended up with a 50 gal tank to show them off in. They eat everything. Even my full grown female guppies sometimes disappear, even though the whole reason they're in there are to provide live babys to snack on. But try to explain to the Angels :-) They really limit the kinds of fish you can add, no tetras once the angels reach a certain size, no tiger barbs that nip fins... the list goes on. Then comes the egg laying. One pair lays 2 batches of eggs a week, no joke. They end up eating them b/c they get so stressed and i'm not ready to raise another batch yet. And boy, do they get aggressive when they have eggs.
Don't get me wrong, i love my angels (although if anyone lived near me and wanted a breeding pair of angels to trade for, i'm willing) and they are very unique fish with funny personalities. But really consider what you want before buying angels.
From: AJB
Subject: Re: Setting up a 20 gall.
Karen can take you with more fish comments, but here is your "shopping" list and some recommendations. :-) (I am assuming it is a twenty long for the fish recomendations...)
Stuff you need for a 20 gallon tank.
The tank (duh)
Hood with fluorescent lightning
Gravel (start with 30 lbs. If it looks like you need more, get some more.)
Filter (eheim canister or marineland bio wheel power. Probably the later depending on your $)
Any air pump related items (if used)
Backround (foil worked for me)
Rocks, wood, plastic plants (if used)
Heater
Thermometer
Bucket and cleaning items ex algae scraper
stand
that is all I can think off and it should be under 200$, 200 being the very maximum
Plant and fish recomendations for an amazon setting
plants
amazon sword
pygmy chain sword
java fern/moss (?amazon sp.?)
It is hard to decorate with just amazon plants. Swords vary greatly and you could make a neat tank with just different species of them. www.petwarehouse.com and www.thatfishplace.com have interesting varieties of plants.
Fish
two leaf fish (aggressive, canivorous. look like dead leaves and need live food)
15 neons and two rams
10 hatchet fish and three corys
5 corys and 15 neons ; 10 glowlights
6 of some type of pencil fish and three corys
any 6 tetras, more if they are small up to 45 (neons) for a twenty long.
there ya go, that is all I can think of at the moment.
AJB
From: Karen
Subject: Re: Setting up a 20 gall.
AJB gave some good advice as did Attila on finding a used tank. If this is your first tank I suggest a new tank, you can't be sure if a used tank has been well taken care of.
For fish, there are a lot in the Amazon that we keep in our tanks. Before you buy any fish make sure you now their full size potential, and do not always go with what a petstore says, look it up. They will say silly things like a fish grows as large as its tank allows or this is a miniature or they only get so big. I have seen Pacus sold as only growing to 10 inches, well that is true, in less than a year they will grow 10 inches, but then they keep on growing.
Look around and when you decide what you would like to keep come back and let us (or another fish group) take a look at the list and give our thought and ideas.
From: CL
Subject: cory cats and pleco -- SEMI-URGENT -- GETTING FISH TONIGHT
I'm heading off to the pet store tonight and am interested in some ideas for cory cats and plecos. anyone have any ideas about hardy corys (water temp about 78-79 degrees F and ph about 7.6) and plecos? I'm probably going to go with 2 bristlenose plecos or a couple clown plecos. Does this sound like a good mix?
From: Lance
Subject: Re: cory cats and pleco -- SEMI-URGENT -- GETTING FISH TONIGHT
most plecos will not tolerate eachothers company. it really depends on the size of the tank. one would probably work well. most cories are hardy and will school with eachother, but again it ALL depends on tank size and tankmates.
From: CL
Subject: reply to lance
tankmates are tetras. i went with six panda corys and two bristlenose plecos. they don't seem all that interested in algae wafers, though. any input on other things they might eat. i'm going to a book store today to look up some info on corys and plecos.
From: Patti C
Subject: gold fish babies Karen going to try this again
Hi Karen, gold fish babies born a week ago tomarrow. Sorry for the confusion. Can you please tell me what age I can give away the babies.I have alot of friends that have ponds. I live in the Pacific Northwest and its starting to get chilly at night down in the 30's.Thanks for your advise Patti C Psssss I'm giving them crushed up gold flake food once a day to about 400 babies:)
From: Karen
Subject: Re: gold fish babies Karen going to try this again
I would give them a couple of weeks.
400 babies, how many friends have you got?
From: Patti 4 Karen
Subject: Re: gold fish babies Karen going to try this again
A couple of weeks for feeding or to give them away? Patti C
From: Patti for Karen
Subject: Re: gold fish babies Karen going to try this again
I have 5 friends that say that they would like some.What age can I move them out?Its only been 1 week now and he is chaseing her around again in a 2 gallon tank.The babies are next to them in a 5 gallon tank.I'm gonna let nature take its course if she has more eggs. I don't know what else to do.What do you suggest? Thank You for your advise Patti C
From: Karen
Subject: Re: gold fish babies Karen going to try this again
A 2 gallon tank? Your golds really need more room, although the fact they feel good enough to breed is really a testament to these fish.
I would let the fry grow for about 2 weeks then give them away. And unless you want more fish let nature take it course.
You do know these guys can get over 9 inches long in the body for the fancies and comets or feeders over 12 inches long? Not measuring the tail?
From: Drew
Subject: New to fish, pls help
I just bought 2 betas a couple of days ago. Unfortunally one died soon after I put him in a tank. He was first put into a 10 gallon tank, but after I saw he was sick, I put him into a gallon, pitcher-like tank, where he got worse and worse before he died.
I remember it all started out when the fish, named Twitch, started to become covered with a thin white mucus-like coating around his gills and mouth. It soon spread all around his body. I didn't know what to do. He wouldn't eat, stopped swimming and soon died.
I do not want this to happpen to my last remaining beta, named Beast, so here are my concerns.
1. I try to feed him 2x a day (just a tad) but he doesn't eat. (why?)
2. I notice at times his water stinks, like fish (duh). Is that bad or normal. ( I am changing the gallon pitcher tank about every 2 days ) Is this right?
3. I was adding 1 teaspoon of table salt per gallon of water, but now on the site it says you need to add 1 tablespoon of salt per gallon. Which is it tablespoon or teaspoon?
4. I am trying to set up the 10 gallon tank for use again. I have a couple of plastic plants, some gravel, and a filter that cascades like a water fall. I have put in those drops that neurtalize Chlorine, and I put 1 teaspoon of salt for each gallon of water in the tank. As of yet there are no fish in the tank. Are there any more preporations I need to ensure a safe, happy enviroment for my 10 gallon tank?
Ok I think that's it. Thank you all for your responces and wish me luck.
Drew
From: vermonster
Subject: Re: New to fish, pls help
It's kind of off the whole subject but if you just can't stand to see any more fish die, i would suggest some guppies for the 10 gal. I find they are the hardiest fish i've ever come across. It's like you couldn't kill them if you wanted to. In my opinion they're prettier than bettas just not as easy to see lol. Also if you buy a male and female guppy you can't keep them from having babies, which i think is the coolest thing about fish keeping. I wish the best for your betta. Happy fish keeping.
Vermontster
From: katie
Subject: Re: New to fish, pls help
hi drew, sorry you lost twitch, as for Beast-
how long have you had him? sometimes bettas need a week or so to get used to thier environment, i have six and a few would not eat for a week, and sometimes they kept spitting the food out. They are also finiky, so you might try one or two different foods to entice him...i feed betta bites-all my bettas eat it, although it did take a couple of them a few days to start eating as i said. You can also try Bettamin, freeze dried blood worms or brineshrimp- although you don't want to feed the bloodworms or brineshrimp everyday because it can constipate them. Your betta should be fine in a gallon pitcher so long as you are conditioning the water with something like Stress Coat which removes chlorine and heavy metals, and to be honest with you i wouldn't see it smelling bad with water changes every two days...Unless it could be due to uneaten food...go ahead and change it every day -it won't be so hard, if you prepare the water ahead of time so that it is conditioned at room tem, and you can add the salt as well-I use a TEAspoon myself-i think a tablespoon might be called for in cases of sick fishes...
Your betta could really benifit from you having a plant to rest on and swim around-also if your apt is cold, find a warmer spot for betta as i thing around 75-77 agrees with them. One more question about the gallon pitcher tank? Is there filtration or a bubbler? Maybe if there is your betta doesn't like the water turbulence...
Another thing-sometimes you just purchase sick, weak, and poorly bread bettas-although i have been lucky, i do have once fish named Ying-(for courage) who jumped out of his temporary container onto the counter the first day i had him while i was setting up his home. He is constantly getting sick, either due to his bravery or bcause he was unhealthy to begin with.
If beast doesn't make it and you get another one=be sure to look at the fins really carefully, gills, size, activity, and wheather there is uneaten food at the bottom of those attrocious cups they keep them in.
As far as your ten gallon tank, you are supposed to let it cycle before adding fish(although i did not) because you need good bacteria in the tank to help break down waste and so forth-there are articles on this site i believe that can help- after a few days of running you could try beast in there to help cycle the ten gallon-
When you start adding more fish or the permant fish you wish to keep in
Keep in mind some fish do well in salt(mollies) and some do not tolerate salt as well(catfish and fish without scales)
You should definatley do some reasearch about the types of fish you will utlimatley add, because once they are in-you will not have as many choices as starting out new-
Only add a few fish at a time, and make sure you find out the adult size of the fish, and the compatibility of each species-another think is neons, and alot of other tetras like to be in groups of eight or more.-which would only leave you room for a few more little fish . Another recommendation i have read is to quarentine all new fish for a couple of days before adding it to the big tank-so as not to spread disease to your community-
well i hope i have helped-and keep us updated on the tank-
and me on beast
katie
From: AJB
Subject: Re: New to fish, pls help
Katie gave you very good information.
The only things I would like to add is like she said make sure you have a heater and a thermometer.
It is not true only one fish at a time, but do not put all the fish you want in in the first day or week. Two or three fish at a time, maximum.
AJB
From: katie
Subject: Re: New to fish, pls help
AJB-iand for you drew,
A heater is a must in the ten for tropical fish-
However DO NOT put a heater in a one gallon bowl.
This would fry betta-he shold be okay at room temp-i meant if it is too cool put him in an area away from drafs and so forth:)
From: Drew
Subject: Re: New to fish, pls help
tks a lot for your help guys and gals I appreciate it very much.
Drew
From: AJB
Subject: Your welcome. N/M
Algae is evil.
From: Kizzi
Subject: THIN FISHES!!!!!!
The thin fishes i told you about Karen, are sailfin and dalmation mollies. I have made no change to my water, apart from using a special aquarium salt for tropicals( correct measurements )that is meant to combat disease and benefit those who do well with salt in their water.
They are about 11 months old, maybe a year.
They eat very well and they behave normally.theyve been like this for some time. I just dont understand what is wrong!! Thanks, I know, I know i go on but I love the little darlins!!!
The odd thing is, i owned a dalmation molly that had the same symptoms and it died within a week of them appearing, but these guys have been fine for months!!!
Thanks for any advice.
From: Karen
Subject: Re: THIN FISHES!!!!!!
I would suspect an infection or worms, but as you said they usually die quickly. Have you medicated them with anything yet?
From: Clint
Subject: Another message archive done
Hi everyone,
I archived all messages before the 12th.
I also removed that irritating advertising that was at the top (hurray!).
Hopefully this will make the board load faster.
Clint
From: Christopher
Subject: Pearl Gourami too big?
Ok, I admit that I did no research whatsoever about this fish before I brought it home. I just thought he was pretty. but I just put a Pearl Gourami in a 10 gallon tank with 2 black fin tetras. I am still going to have to put an algea eater and a catfish in the tank so that it will be balanced. My wife is planning on starting a 55 gallon tank in a few months, but wants aggressive fish in it, and I did some reading and found out that my gourami will get beat up in a setting like that. Will he be ok in a 10 gallon tank with 4 other small fish? Or should I take him back to the pet store in hope that he will find a bigger home?
From: vermonster
Subject: Re: Pearl Gourami too big?
Note: Algae Eaters get way too big for a 10 gal. take it from me i learned the hard way. I said "ooh look at the pretty albino chinese algae eater" and then the petstore manager assured me he wouldn't get too big for a 20 gal. tall. Needless to say he was wrong. Also the algae eaters kept chasing after the slow moving fish trying to suck onto the sides of them. Very bad beginner fish. Hope you get this b4 you buy one.
Vermontster
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