From: michelle 1/05/02
Subject: Re: michelle -- advice on dwarf frogs
Well, I haven't been at this too long but here's what I know.
Be careful to get the Dwarf African Frog and not a Clawed frog. I've seen the Clawed Frogs eat guppies, and other frogs.
Depending on how deep your tank it the opening may not be a problem. How big is the gap between the top of your tank and the water? Are there any plants or rocks near the top?
Even though the frogs are air breathers, treat them just like you would treat fish when adding up what you can have in your aquarium. They will grow to be about 2 inches long per frog.
I hope this answers your questions.
Michelle
From: Clint 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Dwarf Frog Trouble
Don't worry about any special food for the frog, he will eat just about any regualr fish food when he gets hungry. Dwarf frogs love frozen bloodworms and live grindal or white worms, but I wouldn't worry about fattening him up unless you intend to breed them.
I bred them in a plastic shoebox at one time, I had a pair that must have produced a 1000 tadpoles in one summer.
From: Karen 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Dwarf Frog Trouble
He will scavenge any fish food that falls to the floor of the tank. They are pretty small.
From: HappyBoy 1/04/02
Subject: Lettuce
Anybody has a pic of a real lettuce. I am always confusing lettuce with brussells sprouts and cabbage.
From: fire ice 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Lettuce
cabbage usually looks more rubbery, lettuce will make a nice crunching sound when you break it off
From: Dave J. 1/04/02
Subject: Re: cloudy tank
Sounds to me like lois hit the nail on the head. Get ready for a partial water change. Many chemicals change the color of the water also. In either case , it usually only lasts a couple days. Make sure your not overfeeding your fish too , this can cloud the water as well.
From: HappyBoy 1/04/02
Subject: Re: cloudy tank
What colour is that? A complete change of water will do.
From: Karen 1/04/02
Subject: Re: cloudy tank
Agree with Lois. If it is a new tank it is going through the cycling process. Water clearing products are going to prolong the situation in my experience. This could take 6 weeks or more if you stocked the tank heavily from the start.
From: Sheryl 1/05/02
Subject: Thanks for the replies
The pet store thought maybe the water wasn't warm enough. They said bettas like 72 degrees or more which is impossible in the winter. We're quite comfortable with our thermostat at 65 degrees.
I wondered about the "air" problem too with the saucer at the neck of the bottle, but my niece has had this same setup (peace lily on top) for several months and has had no problems.
For now I'm trying two small comets. I'll have to change the water more often but they're okay with cooler water.
Thanks!
From: Ladybug 1/04/02
Subject: Re: My betta died within 24 hours
My Betta died quickly to. It could be that he was diseased to begin with. He could have had ick, which are little dots on their body, but hard to see unless you really take notice. I have a new fish and he's doing great. I have a plant on top of mine too, just be sure to keep the water clean, change every week, and ALWAYS leave about 1 1/2 inches of air between the water and the plant. That will be enough air between feeding when you remove the plant for a time. There's a lot of rumor and opinion that a vase with plant is cruel to the fish, but as Clint at this site says, "they are fish. They really don't care."
Keeping the bowl clean, is important. Never leave food in the bowl that he doesn't he either. Drop in a pellet at a time and when he spits the last one out, scoop it out. Keeps the water clean and free form ammonia.
Good luck!
From: Angel 1/04/02
Subject: Re: If you feel it is necessary to keep in a vase....
cut a straw and place it through the top tray, by the roots, so fresh air can enter the vase. A small reptile or plant heater (under the vase) isn't a bad idea either. These fish do like warmer temps and have been given a lot of abuse. As others have stressed: keep the water clean! Betta's are carnivores and do not eat the roots only, as I have seen some websites suggest. Good luck
Angel 0:)
From: Karen 1/04/02
Subject: Hello to a fellow Minnesotan.
Unfortunately was not on last night.
What part of Minnesota are you in?
I am just south of St. Paul.
From: Midnight's Tiger Betta 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Hello to a fellow Minnesotan.
I live in Winona County. You live not that far away. Chat with you anytime.
From: Karen 1/04/02
Subject: Re: anyone one heard of...
I would recomend adding a few more white cloud minnows, danios and barbs as these guys are schooling fish and are a lot more active and normal acting when with others of their own kind. But I would not go overboard as your tank is almost full. Maybe 2 more of each.
AS for the ropefish, not only are they aggressive and long but can be difficult to keep.
From: katie 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Katie has an About Me page!
Thank you very much Kathleen and Fire Ice:)
Two for Merlin, ha!
Sure sounds better thank Blinky.
From: fire ice 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Katie has an About Me page!
I agree!
From: fire ice 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Do Bettas Sleep?
just a little fact: fish don't close their eyes when they sleep because they don't have eyelids. interesting, isn't it?
From: Karen 1/04/02
Subject: Re: cheap decorations
I have them in my tanks. They root down into the gravel, seem hardy. Takes a long time for them to start growing but once they do they grow quickly. From what I have learned they are a hybrid and last about a year.
I pick up rocks from the yard and lakes and clean them really well and use them in my tanks. Watch out for sandstone or any other rock that will disintergrate in your water. I have also collected driftwood and just recently used old dry maple tree branches to create an underwater root look for my tetra tank. Been a month and so far so good. When collecting your own stuff be sure to get them from a pesticide herbicide free area and from cleaner lakes and streams. Fortunately for me we vacation by Lake Superior where there is an abundance of good pickings.
Also plastic toys. I saw a childs toy farm set used one time. The barn and some fencing. Looked wierd but the owner liked it.
From: Karen 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Mollie Question
It can be hard to tell in mollies. She could be.
From: Karen 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Betta friends
khuli loaches, the only problem is they like to hide.
Weather loaches which really do get to big for a ten.
Bumble bee gobies can live in freshwater, although they are brackish and do better with a little salt. Can be fin nippers, but if you have 3 or 4 this is usually less of a problem. They stay a little over an inch long.
Ottos which are algae eaters.
You could look for the shell dwelling cichlid. They stay small and from all I have read they do well with other fish. I however have only found them in one store and they were kinda pricey.
Cories as mentioned.
From: Karen 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Betta friends
Dpends on what you mean by blown up. Is this all over or in one area?
From: HappyBoy 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Mystery fish
Well, some Comets are bronze in clour in their young age. So, maybe that's the soln.
From: Karen 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Mystery fish
Could be a goldfish or I have seen rosy reds in with the feeders. These are a minnow.
A few things about your goldfish.
Feeders are often sick and malnourished so they tend to be shortlived. Could care could take care of this.
They also can reach 24 inches or more in length so this ten is going to be a bit crowded. They can live 15-25 years with good care and luck and will need frequent water changes as they are messy fish.
From: LynAnne 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Mystery fish
The "mystery fish" does not look like a goldfish at all. The fins, including the tail fin, resemble a female guppy. The only difference between it and a guppy is that it is 1.5 times larger than a fancy female and its much more streamlined. It only has a tiny "gravid" spot. I guess I could put it in with the guppies and see if it mates.
And even though they were labeled as "feeder" goldfish in the store, they are VERY well taken care of. They may be common goldfish but I think they are beautiful. My son has 2 in a 10gal tank with an airstone and a biowheel filter. I help him monitor water quality and the tank gets as much if not more attention for cleaning, etc. than our other tanks.
From: Karen 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Mystery fish
I am sure you take very good care of them, it is the stores that usually do not. I hope you did not think I meant you were not taking care of him, or your son.
From: LynAnne 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Mystery fish
Sorry, I didn't think you meant that at all. I appreciate your help and advice!
I looked up some photos of minnows/rosey reds and I don't think thats what we have. It looks very similar except for the tail. The fish we have has a rounded tail much like a female guppy.
Maybe I could put a male guppy in with this fish and see how she reacts? (in another tank of course) I've never kept other species of fish with my guppies (other than cory's and oto's) but I doubt he'd try to mate if she wasnt his own kind? (or if she is actually a he)
From: HappyBoy 1/04/02
Subject: Re: will to many plants hurt a betta
Ok, who told you that?
From: HappyBoy 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Have a question about betta and guppies
That's a bad idea. Anyway, how different betta reacts is based on their contrasting levels of temperament. Siamese fighters will usually chase after any fast fish or fish of the same colour as it is or perhaps dark ones as they consider them a threat.
From: HappyBoy 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Fish losing their tails and dying
What fish is that?
From: Karen 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Interesting tank decoration, what is your opinion?
I like the idea of making corners to cover the silicone. But you could also try the plants. Our imaginations no no limits. Just make sure the plants are free of insecticides and pesticides and the roots don't get so thick as to take up to much space and that you prune out any sick or decaying roots so they do not foul the water.
I often root vining houseplants in my tanks by sticking the stems alont the back.
From: HappyBoy 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Fancy Guppies any Pros and Cons?
Just get a few males and lots of females. Get the males of your choice to fertilise the females first. Once the females get pregnant, just place them in the tank with breeding trap. Keep these females in the breeding tank. These females are able to store the male's sperm in them and will be able to reproduce themselves again and again with these sperms, so there will be no need for the males to fight over females and injure themselves. Although there is a high expectancy rate in guppies, many will be gobbled up by parents or lost to velvet and ich before they can grow up. So, the more fry, the better.
From: Karen 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Fancy Guppies any Pros and Cons?
Your dad is probably thinking of the old time guppies. They did breed like crazy, faster than mosquitoes in Minnesota. They were the wild type of feeder guppy.
The fancy ones are not quite so fast or prolific, and they seem to have a lower fry survival rate.
However they still do have a lot of babies.
From: Angel 0:) 1/04/02
Subject: Re: A link to a site..................
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/
This is a site that explains the types, sizes, breeds, water conditions, etc of fish. It also has a section on what fish are compatable and good starters. Good luck and remember to not overcrowd the tank (for the happiest fish).
Angel 0:)
From: Karen 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Im a beginner..................
A lot of good advice, but I disagree with goldfish being a starter fish.
They are large fish,, getting from 9 inches or larger in the wide bodied type and up to 2 feet for the common ones, not including the tail. They are also very "dirty" fish that require frequent water changes. Properly cared for and with a little luck they can live 15 - 25 years or more.
A school of zebra danios and platies would be a nice starter, active and colorful but the choices are many.
Be sure to research the fish you decide on and not just go with what the fishstore tells you.
From: Angel 0:) 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Betta sexing
Female bettas will flare also. Usually around eight-ten weeks old is when you can start sexing.
**The dorsal, anal and caudal fins on the males are usually longer.
**Females will have a white spot (egg spot about the size of a grain of sand or salt) between the anal and ventral fins.
**The male also contains a membrane, under his front gills, that will be larger than the females. You can see this when he isn't flaring also.
**Sometimes the males are slimmer than that of the females. (Hips for breeding ya know ;) lol).
You can house all of them together until you see signs of aggression. I then isolate (within the tank in a hurricane globe) or remove them completely. Some females are as aggressive as the males are. Good luck
Angel 0:)
From: LynAnne 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Can tetras live with guppies?
Yes, they can, but you might want to check the pH on the tank. Tetras like it a little on the acidic side whereas guppys can tolerate more alkalinity. The tap water where I live is quite alkaline (pH 8.5)so I have to use a combination of tap and bottled water for the tetras.
From: LynAnne 1/04/02
Subject: Re: guppy breeding
Most male guppies will show himself off and try to "jump" a new female just about as soon as he sees her. It doesn't take long for him to get the job done, especially in a small tank with nowhere for her to hide. She may make him chase her a bit but usually not long.
If your female is not a virgin you may not have a pure mating from your first couple tries since the female can store the spermatozoa from previous matings and she might already be expecting when you first put them together.
Guppy gestation is around 28 days (depending on temp, nutrition, etc) so if you want to save the guppy fry you will need lots of plants for them to hide in once she starts getting fat. You can could move the female to a separate tank, but I wouldn't suggest isolating her in one of those "baby trap" gadgets because it can really stress her out. If you must use one, be sure you have previous experience recognizing when the mom is really close to dropping fry yet not so close that moving her will cause problems with the drop.
Also, make sure you have floating plants as well as bottom plants. When the fry are born, they usually fall the the bottom of the tank before swimming to the surface to fill their swim bladders with air.
Some guppy females will gobble up their young no matter what but I've found they tend to leave them alone unless the mom is stressed or threatened by other fish. Keeping lots of places for her to hide and not overstocking a tank helps this.
Hope that helps!
From: Shell 1/05/02
Subject: Re: tall, 5 to 6 foot hexagonal tank
Susan, PetSmart carries a hex tank. Mine is 44 gal. but I think they also have a bigger one. Tried to send you a link but their website is locking up right now.
From: Lynanne 1/04/02
Subject: Re: Salt in freshwater tank?
Be sure and use aquarium salt - NOT cooking/iodized salt. If your tap water is treated in a water softener, you will need to watch how much salt you add to the water on top of what comes from the water softener. Also, salt will not evaporate with water so take this into consideration when adding water back to the tank.
Its been my experience that some species of tropical fish are sensitive to increased salt concentrations, but all do fine with a little salt in the water. I usually don't exceed 1 Tablespoon (3 teaspoons) for every 5 gallons is a community tank with salt-sensitive species.