From: Jessica 12/02/01
Subject: what do I give to good fishies?
I have 4 tiger barbs, 4 firemouth cichlids, 6 neon tetras, and 3 leopard corydoras. I feed them regular tropical fish flakes all the time. What can I give them as a treat every now and then? I don't want to feed one fish something that will make the other fish sick. Any suggestions would be a big help!
From: Karen 12/03/01
Subject: Re: what do I give to good fishies?
I feed frozen fish food, blood worms are a favorite. There are many different kinds.
From: kyle 12/04/01
Subject: Re: what do I give to good fishies?
blood worm or daphnia frozen kind or a formula trigger food frozen
From: Rebecca 12/03/01
Subject: Re: what do I give to good fishies?
For sure, frozen bloodworms. I get Hikari brand. The fish practically glow afterwards!
From: Hannah 12/04/01
Subject: Re: what do I give to good fishies?
I have freeze-dried bloodworm (the live bloodworms are admittedly disgusting!). For live food, I think brine shrimps are best. It does the fish good to be able to hunt out and chase its food. Oh, I also have freeze-dries microworm.
HANNAH
From: Jessica 12/04/01
Subject: Re: what do I give to good fishies?
How much should I feed them? I am pretty new at this. I haven't even had my aquarium for a year yet. Thanks for the info.
From: Leslie 12/04/01
Subject: Re: what do I give to good fishies?
I like all the other suggestions plus Tetra Delica. It comes in bloodworm, water fleas (my fish love those), and brine shrimp formulas. It's in individual packets in a vitamin paste. I just shake a little out or dilute some in water before feeding. My fish just love that stuff, especially the fleas and shrimp. They also love freeze-dried water fleas which are less messy than the delica type.
From: Lucy 12/02/01
Subject: Help dropped eggs...in the wrong place
Lucy 2 finally dropped finally dropped some eggs...IN HER CORNER!!! I think she ate them I didn't see what happened I fed her and got so distracted watching my new fish I didn't see what happened I just saw her blowing at them trying to get them in her mouth ricky was over there to. Also she has really red gills and I can see a hole in her dot.
Please Help!!!
Thanks
From: Leslie 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Help dropped eggs...in the wrong place
Female bettas will help deposit eggs into the bubble nest, but they also will eat them if they are so inclined. Are the red gills just from today? Maybe it has to do with the bredding climax? What do you mean about a hole in her dot? The egg tube? Is it on the bottom side of the egg tub? If so, she may be dilated from passing eggs. Look in the bubble nest very closely and make sure there aren't clumps of eggs in the bubbles.
From: Lucy 12/03/01
Subject: Re: Help dropped eggs...in the wrong place
The red gills always come up when she's ready. I see a little hole in her egg tube like a little dot. I see no eggs.
From: Lucy 12/02/01
Subject: Keeping petstore females together and just keeping females
Is it allright to keep petstore female bettas together?
Yestarday we went to get another female I've heard female bettas can only be kept in groups of three or more so we got a purple one(Lavendar) and a combodian(Arcoires) to keep with Lucy but they are flaring at each other I am curriently holding them in a betta hex thing (i hate that i have to)until I can put them in a tank with Lucy(she'e still breeding)Arcoires seems only interested in flaring at lavender and lavedar at her reflection in a mirror
Also Lucy is 0.14 long and 0.04 wide lavender is only 0.12 long and 0.02 wide and arcoires 0.11 long and 0.02 wide does that matter? I mean the newbies are like little babies?
P.S
It's pronounced ARGO-EEDEES it is spanish for raimbow.
From: Lois 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Keeping petstore females together and just keeping females
I will be interested in hearing how you do. I think that one of the problems I had with adding a 3rd female to a pair that had been together for a while was the limited space (2.5 gallon tank), plus one of the original ones was full of eggs, and feisty, and the other one quite dominant. I think that I have decided that that one really is a female--I had my doubts, what with her longer fins and nasty attitude. Wish I had thought of moving the main bully, but now have a new 7 gallon tank cycling with 2 females (the one I tried to add, who got picked on badly, and a 4th)and a cory--the girls flare and chase a bit, but don't seem to be serious. I hope to move at least one more in with them. I would love to go ahead, but am afraid to put another fish in until the tank is cycled. This time, I put in a LOT of hiding places when I set up the tank, which I hope will help during the adjustment phase. Your fish sound really pretty!
From: Leslie 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Keeping petstore females together and just keeping females
My female bettas came from pet stores and they had days when one would flare, chase, and nip the other. Female bettas have a pecking order and yes, they do flare! If that's all yours are doing, leave them together. I've found that sometimes mine start out bad but end up being friends, but they still have days when one is picking on the other(s). I wouldn't move them unless one is causing injury to the others. Then, move the bully. If I were you, I'd move them all into the same tank as soon as you can, moving the more docile ones first. As far as female betta groups, I've never heard of having to have 3 or more! One does quite well. If the betta hex is a small container like the one I have, that's probably most of the problem...they feel crowded and are trying to establish boundaries in such a limited space.
From: Lucy 12/03/01
Subject: Re: Keeping petstore females together and just keeping females
I have a tank in my garage that seems good for them three, but there is a glass between them I've lifted up the glass and they seem cool. I just don't want them to get rid of being next to other bettas, and if I leave the glass off I'm worried they'll pick on my Lucy(when i add her) and if she fights back...(i mean it would take for of them put together to be as big as she is)
From: Hannah 12/04/01
Subject: Re: Keeping petstore females together and just keeping females
I'd say the glass is annoying them.
Personally, I'd fill the back of my tank with plants like cabomba, so they can hide from each other, and just put them altogether.
I am continually having problems with male swordtails together, as they are violent and have a pecking order. Fish like this are better on their own or in very large numbers, so the bullies are unable to concentrate on one fish.
HANNAH
From: lucy 12/04/01
Subject: Wierd reaction
Well i took the glass out they seem okay for just one wierd thing they began to embrace i thought oh no i got a thai fighter but now there okay now i have to wait till lucy is done breeding recover her and fix up their real tank and wait to see the results thanks
From: jason 12/02/01
Subject: pregnant Gourami?????
help. how do you sex Gourami'S? the ones i have are not dwarves but they are blue i'm not sure what type of Gourami's they are but i need help. i think one might be pregnant... so i'm guessing shes a female but i dont know how to tell. if she is pregnant what do i do because i really want to breed Gourami's but have never tried before. what signs are there that could help me tell if she is pregnant.
please Help
From: Rebecca 12/02/01
Subject: Re: pregnant Gourami?????
Well if you really want to breed gouramis, your first step should be to identify what species you have.
How many do you have? Are they in a tank with other fish? Breeding gouramis often requires a separate tank as the males are extremely territorial guarding the nest and may attack the female as well as other fish after breeding. Also the fry are very tiny and can be sucked into filters, and require food small enough for them to eat. Breeding pairs should also be fed high-quality food prior to breeding (like live foods) so they are in optimal condition; this will maximise your chances of success.
It's probably best to do a little research yourself with a good search engine (I like Google) and then ask specific questions here when you've got a handle on the basics. First off, identify what species you have.
From: Karen 12/02/01
Subject: Nope
Gouramis build bubble nests much like bettas do.
one or both may be full of eggs.
Depending on the type of betta it should be fairly easy to breed.
From: jason 12/02/01
Subject: ok thanx...can you help me with anything else
ok i think that one of them must be full of eggs.
thanks i had know idea that they built bubble nests that helps a lot. do you have any other advice that could help me with there breeding. what condidtions do i need to make to help them build there nest.
From: Leslie 12/02/01
Subject: Re: ok thanx...can you help me with anything else
Well, he needs to have a tank with corners and no air stone bubbles. If he's in a tank with turbulence, the bubble nest will be destroyed. I've found with my male bettas, stagnant water and a tank with a corner or two is good. I don't know what type of tank and filtration you have (if any filtration), but just keep them in calm water, give him a few days or so and he'll know what to do. I've found my bettas are much happier when they're in calm water and are able to build those bubble nests whether they're in with females or not.
From: Hannah 12/04/01
Subject: Re: ok thanx...can you help me with anything else
I agree. They like the quiet water because these are the conditions they are in in the wild. Unlike swordtails etc, which live in fast flowing rivers, gouramis, like siamese fighting fish, live in small bodies of water, like little ponds.
They are adapted to these conditions by building bubble nests, and having labrinth organs to breath atmospheric air.
I would put some floating plants in the tank, so that the male can build onto them if he wants to.
Hope this helps,
HANNAH
From: Attila 12/02/01
Subject: Corydoras
I would really like some cories in my 10gal tank that already has a betta, guppies, mollies, swordtais, and platies. My question is: do cories live in schools? How many would I have to get?
Thank you, Attila
From: Eddie 12/03/01
Subject: Re: Corydoras
get about 4 or so of the same species. they love each other's company. feed them some of those bottom feeder tablets (something like that) every other day or so to make sure they get enough food to eat.
From: Karen 12/03/01
Subject: Re: Corydoras
Before you add any cories to this setup I would still like to know how many fish you have in this tank.
From: christina 12/03/01
Subject: Re: Corydoras
READ, READ, READ -- i cannot stress enough the importance of reading when it comes to taking care of fish. i'm relatively new to the hobby myself, but am always on the look out for a good fish book (check the net). i now have at least six books relating to fish in general, corys, plecos, and tetras (these are the fish i have in my tank). the thing that stinks is that a lot of books are confusing in that they contradict one another in statements (for example i have serpae tetras which, according to one book, were very peaceful and great for a community tank, but another book stated they can be somewhat aggressive). if i had read more about fish i probably would not have risked buying the serpaes which DID turn out to be somewhat aggressive with my other fish.
i have two panda corys which are really cute. i originally had six, but the other four died of some sort of internal bleeding. according to what i've read, pandas like to be paired, but others often they like to be in trios -- depends on what cory you're dealing with.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
From: Jessica 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Corydoras
I have 3 leopard corydoras. They seem to be fine in a group of three and they are really beautiful. They makea wonderful edition to any aquarium.
From: Leslie 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Corydoras
The pet stores say they're schooling and you need at least 3, but I have 2, 10-gallon tanks, one with 3 small corys (2 albinos and one green), and one tank with one large emerald green cory with a smaller spotted cory. Two corys seem just as happy as 3, but a 10-gallon tank is small, so make sure you get small corys. My large emerald green one is huge! He was supposed to be a small one, but I guess he got mixed in the wrong tank at the store. Corys are very easy to keep and very hardy in my tanks. I've had mine for a long time with only one death. He was an albino and somehow got a fin injury which, by the time I noticed it, had lots of fungus in it. I tried medicating him, but he wouldn't eat and died. He's the only one I've lost. Also, make sure you get some small bottom-feeder tablets to put in at night. I put mine in right after I put the flakes in for the other fish, so they won't notice the sinking tablet.
From: Lois 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Corydoras
What kind of sinking tablets do you use?? And how much? I have been using shrimp pellets, and they get leftovers from above. I have seen these other sinking foods, but they all look so large. I have 2 corys (small) in 10 gallon tank.
From: Lois 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Corydoras
They really like company. I had only one when my 10 gallon tank was cycling (along with the betta) and he/she really seemed to enjoy when I added the 2nd one after cycling. I only have the 2. I have Corydoras aeneus (?spelling)--I think these don't get real big--looked it up, but don't recall for sure.
From: AJB 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Corydoras
Do cories live in schools? Yes, they do.
How many would I have to get? Three.
How many could you get? None.
I am with Karen on this one. Your tank is already stocked to its fullest. If you got rid of some of them, then I think three small coryies would be a great addition.
AJB
From: Karen 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Corydoras
None.
I am assuming you have at least two of each fish, that would be ten. One fish per gallon is already maxed out.
Corydoras are schooling fish. They like to be in groups of 5 or more but three will be very happy while one would be very lonely.
There are many different types and you can have a mixed school. However if you want to breed them I would keep only one type.
From: Beth 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Corydoras
We found some pygmy coridories at our lfs and they are great!! They do school but 3 of them don't take up much room in the tank. I believe when they are full grown they are less than an inch in size. Their antics make them the perfect pet.
From: Attila 12/05/01
Subject: Thanks!
Ok, since they will not have enough room I will not get any for this tank, but I have a new 5 gall that I just got as a present with just 1 betta that could use a few "friends" that might get some (probably three).
Attila
From: Beth 12/02/01
Subject: Mollie Sexing
I want to know how to tell sex on the white mollies. I am wanting to get a "pair" but unsure how to tell the difference. Any advice to a first time breeder would be helpful also.
From: Karen 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Mollie Sexing
Females are usually quite plump and round and pregnant and larger than the slimmer males.
The adipose fin, the fin along the bottom looks like a pointer on the males and "normal" on the females.
From: Hannah 12/04/01
Subject: Re: Mollie Sexing
AS Karen said, the males have a "gonopodium" in place of the anal fin of the female. This is how they fertilize the females (Guess how!!!!) It has a hook on the end to hold on to the female during the brief embrace.
But, be careful. If the fish are stressed, the females will clamp their fins and this can make their anal fin look like a gonopodium.
Also, make sure the fish are not too young: Live bearing fishes like mollies, platies and swords have an annoying tendency to reach sexual maturity late. It is very bad luck to think you have got a pair and then realise they are both males!
Also, I would like to suggest that you get one male and at least 2 females. This is not really important, but it means that the male does not pester a single female too much.
Good luck!
HANNAH
From: ellyse 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Breeding Mollies?
Thank you, I managed to get some of the babies in the breeding trap, the Mom seems to be happier outside of the box. I woke up to about 15 babies and I think she's not done yet. Thank you again. Have Fun!!
From: ellyse 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Breeding Mollies?
Thank you, I managed to get some of the babies in the breeding trap, the Mom seems to be happier outside of the box. I wok up to about 15 babies and I think she's not done yet. Thank you again. Have Fun!!
From: Beth 12/02/01
Subject: Re: African Dwarf Frog
We have a solo dwarf frog in our 10 gallon he is doing GREAT! We worried about him being alone when his tank mate passed away, but have since been allieviated of our fears by his actions and everyone's advice. Good luck and enjoy him.
From: fire ice 12/02/01
Subject: Re: 45 fishy don't what to do with???
well, that's Eddie 4 U. Every once in a while, he makes a VERY rude post.
From: Leslie 12/02/01
Subject: Re: 45 fishy don't what to do with???
Then he needs to stay off the message board!
From: Karen 12/02/01
Subject: Re: 45 fishy don't what to do with???
Just part of Eddies charm. That and a great way to get attention. Guess we have been ignoring him lately.
Anyway, I can think of three ideas.
Give them away to local kids, parents will soon tell their kids to avoid the crazy fish lady though :-)
Leave them in the tank and let nature do its thing.
Set up a 20 long cichlid tank, firemouths or convicts are cheap and readily available in most areas. Feed the babies to them.
From: Emma 12/02/01
Subject: Re: cloudy tank
aquarium salt
From: Karen 12/02/01
Subject: Re: cloudy tank
Before I recomend chemicals I would like to know a couple of things.
How many and what kind of fish.
What if any water treatments are you currently using. See if Aloe is part of the ingredients, a lot of people end up with problems when aloe is involved.
Have you added any new fish?
Have you lost any that you did not find?
Any other changes you can think of?
From: Leslie 12/02/01
Subject: Re: cloudy tank
Thanks for the info on aloe...I didn't know it could cause problems. Those were good questions you asked, but I still stick by the water clarifier. I've never had any problems with it. I don't like having to add chemicals, either, but when you work yourself half to death trying to clear the cloudiness, something has to give. Thanks for reminding me to ask more questions, though!
From: Tiger barb fan 12/02/01
Subject: To Leslie
Well, two of them have little red streaks where their ribs are, and one has like, an angry looking red sore on it's tail.
One of them started acting really wierd last night, (rolling upside down and looking stressed) so I put in this healing salt that could be used to aid an anti bacterial med and the next morning he is upright but just hanging on the spot. I fed him bloodworm, (as I heard it helps) and he ate them most enthusiasticly.
Should I just keep going with the med and salt and keep a close eye on him?
He is in a large breeding trap and I hand feed him so the others wont steal his food or bully him.
Thanks for listening!!!!!
From: Leslie 12/02/01
Subject: Re: To Leslie
I also need to know how many are in the tank and what size the tank is in order to tell you more. Let me know.
From: Tigerbarb. 12/04/01
Subject: Re: To Leslie
About ten gallons with 6 little fishies.
From: Karen 12/02/01
Subject: Re: To Leslie
How many are in the tank and what size is the tank? How often do you do water changes? Sounds like ammonia to me. If not I would then go with the bacterial thought but check the ammonia.
From: Karen 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Mudskippers ?
As for salmonella he may be right, they mat carry it. Turtle are really bad for this but still legal in my area. As are mudskippers and other creatures. With all these you need to not handle them any more than necessary, I mean they are not cuddly and fuzzy anyway. When you do a water change, cleaning or handling wash your hands real well right away.
From: Lucy 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Mudskippers ?
Thanks I guess I'm just cookie like that I think everything is cute except maybe some sharks.
From: Karen 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Do Tetra's eat fishies fry??
If they can catch them and they fit in their mouths you bet.
From: Karen 12/02/01
Subject: Re: 55 gallon -- stocking
Good suggestions from leslie. i would say stick with 3 types of schooling fish for a more "natural" look. Like a glass box is natural right?
Maybe a pair of gouramis for a larger fish contrast.
From: christina 12/03/01
Subject: reply to karen
i think i read somewhere that gouramis can be aggressive. i like the kissing variety, though.
hatchet fish -- i think i read something about them not being very hardy. sound about right?
From: Karen 12/05/01
Subject: Re: reply to karen
Gouramis. I have heard some people get an individual that gets a little grumpy but I have never had a problem. The blue and pearls seem to be the most likely.
Hatchets. The marbels are said to be hardier than the silvers but I have kept them both. They are not a long lived fish which is why they may be known as not very hardy, 1-2 years being the average.
From: Karen 12/02/01
Subject: Re: 55 gallon -- stocking
How about a school of hatchet fish for the surface?
Let your tank run for a few weeks to let everything settle down before adding any new fish and than maybe do it 5 at a time.
From: Leslie 12/02/01
Subject: Re: help picking out fish- need lots of suggestions!!!
I have 3 bleeding heart tetras and they have been so awful. They are in my semi-aggressive tank my larger angels, huge mollies, and 2 gouramis. I have not liked those tetras since about the 3rd day I got them...problem is, they seem to withstand every stress that occurs in the tank. I will be glad when they are gone!
From: Jessica 12/02/01
Subject: Re: help picking out fish- need lots of suggestions!!!
I have 4 tiger barbs, 4 firemouth cichlids, 6 neon tetras, and 3 leopard corydoras. The tiger barbs seem to get along with everybody else. They have actually seemed happier since I put the other fish in. I think that 4 would be enough to keep them from picking on your frogs. I would suggest tigers if you want something really colorful (as long as you don't have long finned fish) . I hope this helps.
From: Rebecca 12/03/01
Subject: Re: Gourami Filtration?
Gouramis are basically a pain in the neck to have in community tanks. I have a pearl gourami, which is reputed to be one of the gentler species, but he still gets feisty once ina while. You tend to have to build the community around their lack of social skills, and even then sometimes it doesn't work out. If tankmates are too aggressive, gouramis can be bullied as well.
Mine does well with harlequin rasboras, loaches, and small rainbowfish. I had my platies in there for a while but he attacked them at feeding time. I think it makes sense to try tankmates who are from the same geographical location, especially smaller non-nippy schooling fish.
If you keep gourami you usually have a problem at some point or another finding fish that can live with it. In a small tank it can be nearly impossible, as their territory tends to include the whole tank. In a large tank where fish have room to stay out of the gourami's way, you have a lot more choice. They are beautiful, I guess that's why I'm willing to put up with that...
From: Kathleen 12/02/01
Subject: Re: Mouth Fungus, Urgent
Treatment that has worked in the past...double
doses of Maracyn and Maracyn 2, daily water changes, and temperature kept at 75 degrees. This
treatment was for a betta and she survived which is rare. Mouth fungus is not a fungus at all but
actually a slime coat disease.
From: kyle 12/04/01
Subject: Re: Can goldfish bug breeding betta?
YES THAY WILL bug them I'm a breeder of battas yes the gold fish will bug them. are U trying to breed battas thay like about 6 inches of water with lots of floatting plants with water temp about 78 degrees.
From: kyle 12/04/01
Subject: Re: keeping fish alive, it's a big problem.
as fare as your plecos dying on U all the time first U need to find out what ph the plecos are being held in.2 are the groumis blues?? if so that is what is killing your barbs . one other thing U can try is feeding him the dark green pieces of zuiciny
From: kyle 12/04/01
Subject: Re: Dancing betta
what is going on with your battas is your females are under age and the male knows it
From: lucy 12/04/01
Subject: Re: Dancing betta
If my female is under age then how come the last time everything went fine?