From: Danielle 12/10/01
Subject: My male won't build a bubble nest!
I'm trying to breed my male and female betta fish. The female i think is ready to breed because she has a small white tube from near her stomache and some stripes showing. However my male fish which is in the same bowl as the female is trying to build bubble nest i think cause he keeps blowing bubbles but they look pretty big and they keep on popping! Does anyone know y oh and he's also stoped eating.
From: Rebecca 12/10/01
Subject: Need some help from the experts!
We've had our first tank for about a year now and I've got some questions that I can't find answers to. When we first got the tank, the pet store gave us some "starter" fish and I always thought that they were black tetras. Now I'm not so sure. I've done some research and I just can't make up my mind what they are. They have the third fin that tetras have, but every picture that I can find of tetras shows them as long fish and ours are more round than long. They are a silver color with semi-clear fins. That's another thing, on one of the fish, the fins and the back end have started turning black for a few days and then turning clear again a couple days later. This has happened twice in the past two weeks. What does this mean? I can't find any reference to this kind of thing. It doesn't act any different when it happens. My first thought was that one was male and one was female and this was some kind of breeding thing, but I took a good look at them and can't really see any difference in them other than that the one that turns black has a slightly larger body. I'm sorry if my questions seem a little stupid, but I am new at this and I need some help. Thanks!
From: Joey 12/10/01
Subject: Kribs???????????????????
hey. I have a 10 gallon tank containg,
1 tigerbarb
1 betta
2 guppies
1 blind cave fish
2 neon tetras
1 chinese bottom feeder
In about 3 months or so sooner, i am planning on getting several pelvicachromis TAENIATUS (kribs) and pelvicachromis PULCHER (also kribs). I will be getting another 10 or 20 gallon tank, and i was wondering, what kinds of fish would do well with these species of fish?
From: Timboi 12/10/01
Subject: Re: Kribs???????????????????
This site is pretty good and should tell you everyhting you need:
http://hjem.get2net.dk/Best_of_the_Web/intropage.html
hope this helps
From: Eric 12/10/01
Subject: Betta changing color
Hello,
I have had a dark red male betta in a 1 gallon fish bowl with blue gravel. It seems like it's turning blue! First the top fins starting showing signs of blue, by now it's almost all blue, and I can see blue strips starting on other fins.
I don't think it's velvet, caz he's still active and eats.
Does the blue gravel make it turn colors?
Oh, and I'm using a new betta food call "Aqua culture BETTAS". My betta seems to love it. It gets all excited when I feed it the new food. It even flares up the gill thing. Do you think that's normal or did they add a bit of something something in the food to get him so excited?
Thanks!
Eric
From: Carol 12/10/01
Subject: Re: Betta changing color
I think the color change depends on the food they eat. I have a steel blue betta that had a slight pale pink wash to him when we bought him,and his blue color was really light too, like pastel. then after a couple months, he is still steel blue, but the pink has turned to red, and the blue is darker.
I dont know if there is anthing special about the food you mentioned. I tried it with my 3 bettas, and none of them will eat it.
P.S. You can tell if your betta has velvet, by shining a flashlight on his body. If you see a gold-like, or rust-like dust on him, that is velvet.
From: shorty 12/10/01
Subject: color change
just set up a 20 gallon tank for the kids. put in the slime attitives and clorine remover and waited recommened
time and added fish. 1 cat, 3 guppies and 1 mollie and 2 platies. ph is 7 and temp is 77-78. my question is, the guppie were real silvery on the bodies when brought home but are turning black.
all fish are real active and eating good.. any thing to worry about???
thanks shorty
From: Carol 12/10/01
Subject: Albino Catfish
Does anybody have these? Do you like them, can you put them in with a betta? Thanks for any comments. :)
From: AJB 12/10/01
Subject: Re: Albino Catfish
Yes, they will work in with a betta. They school, so be sure to get 3.
From: Rachel 12/10/01
Subject: Cleaning a 10gall, need major help
Hi everyone, I am fairly new at this hobby so consider that when you read this ?.
I bought a 10 gallon tank about 5 months ago and here is whats in it:
1/2 inch of gravel
some live plants
1 corner filter
1 plastic decoration
1 3" pleco
1 fully grown male betta
3 swordtails
5 guppies
3 platies
2 mollies
I will buy a 7 gallon probably after christmas, but the tank is really dirty so I want to REALLY REALLY clean it out. HOW? I do have a corner filter but it does not do s--t (you know what letters go in the blank).
What do I do??? I dont want to distroy all the "good guy" bacteria?
I will apriciate ANY help!
Thanks!
From: AJB 12/10/01
Subject: Re: Cleaning a 10gall, need major help
Your tank is overstocked. You need to remove at least 6 of the fish. I would remove two of the guppies, two platies, a molly and the betta.
Then go to your local fish store and buy a power filter made for a ten to twenty gallon tank. Leave the corner fitler running for three weeks, then the bacteria will have moved to the new filter, allowing you to remove the corner filter. Since you plan on buying a new tank anyway, if you want to keep the fish buy the 7 gallon now. Early Christmas present! It should be a ten gallon, but a seven will do. To clean a tank, you need a gravel cleaner, water changer, and an algae. The gravel cleaner and the water changer will be in the same contraption. It will have a tube on the end connected to a wider hard plastic tube that is the gravel vac. To change the water, fill all the tube with water and put the wide end into the tank, and the other end in a bucket. Make sure that the non wide end goes below the tank, otherwise gravity will not take its full effect and the water will not leave. Take out 3-5 gallons of water, replacing it with de chlorinated water. Push the wide end of the tube into the gravel after the water has started flowing into the bucket. Move it around and you will see a bunch of gross gunk glow through the tube into the bucket.
If you have any other questions, ask us/me.
AJB
From: deb Carrico 12/10/01
Subject: betta in a vase with a peace lily
I would like to make a betta in a vase with a peace lily in the top and the roots in the water. I wanted to put table salt in the vase to keep my fish healthy. Will this harm the plant? I will make sure that the betta has air and not close the top up completely.
From: Kathleen 12/10/01
Subject: Re: betta in a vase with a peace lily
Also...no distilled water and condition the water.
Keep the temp right too. 75 to 78 degrees is ideal.
From: Carol 12/10/01
Subject: Re: betta in a vase with a peace lily
I have 3 seperate vases, all with fake plants in them now. What you need to do, is run a search on Betta in a Vase, and there are tons of sites regarding this set up. I left my peace lily in the original gift, for about a month, my fish got sick, and I had to treat it for fin rot. I also got advice to put aquarium salt in the water. The plant did not like this. So, now I have the plant in a jar of water, all by itself, and it is recovering from the salt.
Dont know what kind of directions you have about the vase set-up, but you need to feed your fish at least once a day. I feed mine Hikari Betta Bio-Gold pellets. 2-3 per day. You need to change the water often, depending on the size of your vase, it may mean a couple times a week. Mine hold almost 2 gallons, I change it once a week, smaller vase, needs more changes. A great site that I found VERY informative on bettas, and their behavior, and health, and whatever you can think of, is www.bettatalk.com
If you decide to use the peace lily in your fish vase, you need to trim it often, as some of the roots will start to rot. Rotten roots will make the fish sick. You also need to trim the roots back if they grow too thick, as the betta DOES breath regular air, and needs to be able to come to the surface of the water. Do not allow the plant to take up all the fish's swimming room. When I had my lily in the vase, my fish did seem to enjoy swimming through the dangling roots, but once I started using the salt, and when I had to treat the fish with medicine, the plant started to freak out, so I took it out. Good luck!!
P.S. Make sure you have ABSOLUTELEY all the soil washed off the plant, and also, if you are going to use table salt, use the NON-iodized kind. Aquarium salt is only like a dollar at Walmart for a 16oz container, not very expensive. But your plant will DEFINITELY not like it. :)
From: Karen 12/10/01
Subject: Re: betta in a vase with a peace lily
Salt would be bad for the plant.
Be sure to keep the roots trimmed and feed the betta daily. Don't forget the water changes.
From: Danielle 12/09/01
Subject: Is it possible for female bettas to flare up?
my 2 female bettas flare up little but not as much as my male is it normal or possible for females to flare up even a little bit?
From: Lois 12/09/01
Subject: Re: Is it possible for female bettas to flare up?
Yes, they certainly flare up. I have two that I know for sure are females and they do flare, it is just more dramatic in the males, who generally have a lot more fin to flare.
From: rachel 12/09/01
Subject: water changes
Hello! i have some baby kribs (2 days old) and my water level is a little low. are the babies sensitive to this??should i wait 'till they are bigger to fill up my tank?
tanks
rachel
From: Karen 12/09/01
Subject: Re: water changes
Just make sure the emp is the same and if you are using any water conditioners be sure they are at the same dose as the water tehy are in, add slowly.
From: Lois 12/09/01
Subject: Betta-telling boys from girls--still suspicious!
OK, I thought I was reasured that Berta the betta was really a girl as stated by lfs. I thought I saw tiny white spot in the appropriate spot on the belly, although not as big as on one I know is female. But I read elsewhere that only the males have the extra gill membranes that REALLY stand out when fishy flares, and Bert(a)definitely has this now. Does anyone know for sure? (S)He is coexisting reasonably well with Girlie at the moment.
By the way, the 7 gallon is now all-girl territory. Took the male(who was also supposed to be female and isn't) out last night and he is in solitary, if possibly disappointed, state now. I hear melafix is good for shredded fins...?
From: katie 12/09/01
Subject: Re: Betta-telling boys from girls--still suspicious!
I have been happy with results of melafix-i treated for finrot on my betta Marduk-and my bettas fins are almost healed-and has improved a brewing situation in my tank-Just want to say-upping my salt dosage by half a teaspoon or so when I noticed my Ying's fins were shredded one morning did about 70 % improvement in one night!!! that is my experience-it seems everyone has a different oppinion about the benefits of aquarium salt....
From: Karen 12/09/01
Subject: Re: Betta-telling boys from girls--still suspicious!
I use salt at 1/4 teaspoon per gallon.
Really very happy with my experience with Melafix. Worked well and quick, smells like tree tea oil which I enjoyed.
It is always possible the betta is a male. There are short tailed bettas, although I do not thik they are readily available.
From: Lois 12/09/01
Subject: Re: Betta-telling boys from girls--still suspicious!
Thanks. I am getting surer and surer that Bert(a) is a male or at least that I need to separate them. Bert really flares those gills. S(H)e has a double tail, and a sailfin on top--much more fin than either of the two that I am absolutely sure are females, but is bigger (older), too. Girlie has vertical stripes and keeps swimming up to Bert(a), who chases her away. I think I am going to have to separate them. Male or female, I do not want Girlie getting hurt. Much more aggressive this evening than when I left this morning.
From: Karen 12/10/01
Subject: Re: Betta-telling boys from girls--still suspicious!
Some females can be real aggressive, I had one that was just plain nasty. Took her back to an aquarium store where all they deal in is fish. The owner assured me it was a female.
From: Drew 12/09/01
Subject: Undergravel filter question...
Hello all, nice to see that everyone is doing well. As for me my new hobby of the "fish family" has gone from a single Betta, to now one betta, one bubble-eye, two orandas, one black moor, and one red sopt oranda.
The betta is in an one-gallon, the bubble eye, and a single oranda are in a ten gallon (they are big about 1 1/2 - 2") And the Black moor, oranda, and red spot oranda (all small 1" at most) are in a 10 gallon as well. My question is.... water quality.
I do 50% water changes every week for the 10 gallons, and 100% water change for the 1 gallon with the betta because there is no filtration unit. My problem is for both of the 10 gallons; they get dirty around the 5-7 day mark (which is when I change the water in both) but I am noticing a large amount of uneaten food, and poop when I syphon out the water from the bottom of the tank during water changes. (I try to take out a large ammount of gravel as well to clean it additionally)
I care for my fish very much and I want them to have an excellent enviroment to live in. I have a power filter for both tanks, which support 10 gallon tank sizes. From time to time I take out the monthly filter and rinse it off taking off as much poop, and yucky stuff as possible. Soooooooo would it be helpful to change my power filter to an under gravel filter? Or should I stay with my power filter? My gravel is very small, almost like sand, but a little bigger. With that in mind will an undergravel filter even work?
Geeezzz I wrote a book... Thank you guys and gals for all of your help...
Livin In Hawaii!
Drew
From: katie 12/09/01
Subject: Re: Undergravel filter question...
Drew- I love goldfish-and thank God I don't have any as my little five gallon community keeps me busy!!!
I just wanted to say there is an article or two on this site about goldfish-and It is very very detailed informaiton-(you may have read it already) but if not-please read it-it was written by KoKo who seems to know quite abit, and seems very passionate about thier care:)
If you can find an ufg to use with your substrate-I would go with both if you can afford it.
Because gold fish can be very messy-and you seem to know that what with the fifty percent water changes-I was thinking you could do say 35% twice a week instead...dont know if this is better or not-just a thought.
Good to hear you got a betta-
you know how i love them:)
katie
From: Karen 12/09/01
Subject: Re: Undergravel filter question...
Drew, you seem to have gotten some poor info from whomever sold you those fis. Goldfish are very messy as Katie said. First, one goldfish will need about 20 gallons per fish. Now if you take a 20 gallon tank and put rocks and other decorations it will hold less than 20 gallons. One goldfish in a ten will work for awhile but they do grow large. They will only grow as large as the tank because they usually then become sick, stunted and die.
I would remove the undergravel filter, I love them but not in a goldfish tank. You will never be able to keep it clean and they tend to disturb it too much. My golds live in a 55 with no gravel and just a few live plants weighted down with plant weights.
I try to do a daily water change on my gold tank, but do agree with Katie on this too. I would rather see two a week at 35% than once a week 50%.
I tell people to get a piece of paper and cut out a softball about 8 inches lond and almost as high and hold that up to the tank, this is an average size fancy variety goldfish. Depending on genetics and care size can vary a little.
At least I recomend keeping only one to each ten and taking the rest back. You will be happier as they will be easier to take care of and the fish will be to. Good Luck
From: Beth 12/08/01
Subject: Chiclid lake?
Ok I was given the fish that were in the tank I bought off someone, I am wanting to sell them or give them away but in order to do that I need a little more info on them. I currently know they are supposed to all be from the same lake and the names of them but honestly couldnt tell you which one is which. Here are the names
Duboise
Frontosa
Dafadil Brichardi
Julidecrimis
Some may be misspelled I made the guy write the names on each container while we were "packing" for the move. Please any info would be great. I have to admit I was not prepared to bring these fish home and made no real "plans" for them. When we agreed to buy the tanks he said he was going to sell the fish.
Thanks everyone,
Beth
From: christopher 12/10/01
Subject: problem solved!
This is beth's hubby. We got rid of all the fish that came with the tanks. It made for an interesting weekend, but all of them survived and made it to the 2 pet stores that bought them off us. I think that I was more stressed out than the fish were:)
From: Aly 12/08/01
Subject: Goldfish and Power Filters
I have a 10 gallon aquarium, and was thinking of getting about 6-7 small fancy goldfish that stay small. I have a power filter though would that hurt te goldfish in any way?
From: Karen 12/09/01
Subject: Re: Goldfish and Power Filters
I know I am going to repeat some of what Katies said.
One, goldfish do not stay small. They can reach 9 inches in the wide bodies to 24 inches in the comets. So as you see there is a problem here. They can live 25+ years so good care and a little luck can give you a finny friend for a long time.
I sugggest you stick with smaller fish. If you are wanting a "cold" water fish, meaning one that does not need a heater I suggest White Cloud Minnows. Colorful and hardy.
From: katie 12/09/01
Subject: Re: Opps-made a very big mistake in spelling that makes me look like an ass-so read this not the one i posted under this before!
Hi- I would suggest one -two max!
These fish often get big with good care-
I don't know about fancy goldfish inparticular-
but everything i have read and heard suggest there is no such thing as "they stay small"
With improper care they will not grow and thrive-
most of your small golfish at least get six inches are more. At least this is the way i heard it-also a fish in general needs a minimum of one gallon per inch of fish at expected adult size-
that is rule of thumb-however i push it-but i do extra maitence and it is a set community and works well..This is why i say you could have two-if they are about four inches-
Saying that
They are very very messy, and produce alot of ammonia- they could become very sick and die in a short time if you dont do regular maitence on your tank.
This is general knowledge i offer that i have learned-
There is a fabulous, very detailed article or two about goldfish keeping on this site- It is the goldfish bible in my oppion:) -thanks to koko
If you read it you will learn how to care and maintain your goldfish-and this will help you understand why only one or two in a ten gallon could survive...there is info on feeding, maintence, substate, decoration..you name it
I hope this helps and in the long run you will probably love having to fat happy goldfish:)
katie
From: katie 12/09/01
Subject: Re: Goldfish and Power Filters
Hi- I would suggest one -two max!
These fish often get big with good care-
I don't know about fancy goldfish inparticular-
but everything i have read and heard suggest there is no such thing as "they stay small"
With improper care they will not grow and thrive-
most of your small golfish at least get six inches are more. At least this is the way i heard it-also a fish in general needs a minimum of one gallon per inch of fish at expected adult size-
that is rule of thumb-however i push it-but i do extra maitence and it is a set community and works well..This is why i say you could have two-if they are about four inches-
Saying that
They are very very messy, and produce alot of ammonia- they could become very sick and die in a short time if you dont do regular maitence on your tank.
This is general knowledge i offer that i have learned-
This is a fabulous very detailed article or two about goldfish keeping- It is the goldfish bible in my oppion:) -thanks to koko
If you read it you will learn how to care and maintain your goldfish-and this will help you understand why only one or two in a ten gallon could survive...there is info on feeding, maintence, substate, decoration..you name it
I hope this helps and in the long run you will probably love having to fat happy goldfish:)
katie