From: Yvonne 2/15/02
Subject: Painted Fish from Superpetz
I am so ticked off right now. I purchased a 2 gallon fish tank for my neice earlier this week along with some decorations and some test kits to get her started. She is only 1 1/2 years, so I am leaving all the work up to her parents. I just wanted to introduce her to pets (especially fish). Part of my gift to her would also be to supply the fish. So, today I took a trip up to Superpetz and found fish that I thought were beautiful. I wanted her to have the prettiest fish. Afterall, the prettiest for the prettiest. I bought what I was told were Blueberry and Strawberry Tetras. I asked the clerk if they were naturally those colors and his reply was yes. I believed him because the color distribution was perfect all throughout the fish. I also believed him because I frequent that store at least 2x a week and have seen him there for quite some time. When I got home, I searched the net only to find out that I had purchased white skirted tetras that were injected with dye. Had I known this, I would not have bought them. I am an animal lover (have 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 6 tanks running) and would never harm or condone cruelty to animals. Can you believe this!!! What did this guy want to make a sale or did he just take a very large stupid pill!!! I have learned a lesson through all of this: RESEARCH before you shop!!! I know I will from here on out. I would also like to ask that people boycott buying painted fish. If everybody stops, the need to dye them anymore would not exist. Boy, when that store opens tomorrow, they will get a piece of my mind.
Sorry, but my husband works 2nd and isn't here to hear me vent. I had to vent somewhere.
Yvonne
From: Clint 2/15/02
Subject: Re: Painted Fish from Superpetz
I feel very sorry for that clerk. He either didn't know, or didn't care. Either way he's in for it now.
Reminds me of a time I let my wifes Toy Poodle out for potty on a cold night, and forgot her. It's never happened again.
She was alright, be she sure was ready to come in.
CN
From: Angel 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Hi all
sorry to hear that we'll all miss your advice
Hope everything works out.
Angel
From: sw 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Hi all
Sorry to hear that you are having such a hard time. Good Luck....
From: Lois 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Hi all
Will miss hearing from you, hope things go more smoothly than they sound like they are going! Good luck!
From: katie 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Hi all
Best wishes-I hope your family recovers from surgery well, i will keep you in my thoughts-and prayers:)
Godspeed, on getting back to us-
Thanks for all the help , you have probably saved my fishes from the brinks of death more than once!
katie
From: SilverStorm 2/08/02
Subject: Betta questions.
Is it OK to 'exercise' your Betta daily by chasing it around with a fish net? If it's okay for how many minutes should I do it each day? Coz my betta seemed so fat...
Another thing. My Betta, Lancelot, seemed to be a very healthy and active fish--until I changed his water for the second time. I've dechlorinate his water. But after I put in a thermometer in his tank, he seemed to just lay around near the thermometer, not moving, and only moved to change his position. Is this normal?
From: Leslie 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Betta questions.
No betta, or any other fish, should be chased with a net. This can be a traumatic experience for him and if he's that fat, cut down his food intake or get him a bigger tank. Some of my biggest bettas don't eat much at all and are as active as the thinner ones. I tend to think of them as robust rather than fat. Make sure he doesn't have any swollen areas on his body that just make him look fat. I had a sweet dwarf gourami that I always called chubs. In the last few months of his life, I realized he actually had a tumor in his belly area and that was the reason for the extra weight.
As far as Lancelot, how long ago did you put the thermometer in the tank? If it's just a matter of him not liking something new in his territory, he'll get over it. But bettas should be normal to above normal active after a water change. You could try taking the thermomter out for a few days and see what happens. If he's still doing it, he may be sick. Water changes can be extremely stressful, especiall when there's something else going on. Most fish bounce back within the day or don't appear affected at all, that's why it worries me that he's behaving this way. Do you notice ANY signs of disease such as cottony/slimy/red/grey streaks or patches on him? Do you add salt to the tank? If not, try 1 tsp per gallon. It may be something as simple as constipation that has nothing to do with the water change.
From: Donte 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Betta questions.
while swimming fast is good excercise i'm sure it probably ISscreay for our little guys. You can excercise them in less frightening methods...hunting is a great one -- if you can get live food they'll sped a good deel of time going after it --- daphnia or somethign that can swim away frm them is perfect. also excercise with a mirror - letting them flare and fan at ther reflection- or another male in an ajoining tank for that matter - is good not only for their bodies but their minds. Oour little betta are SMART and they can get depressed if they dont' see another bettea or their reflectionf or a long time ( okay maybe thay are narcisisstic too)
From: Steph 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Betta questions.
I think they are narcisisstic. Mine spends most of his day on one side looking at himself, but not flaring. He gets plenty of exercise, swims around alot, eats very well, but loves the one side of his tank. I think he's in love with himself. lol But if I put a mirror up next to him he flares and has a fit.
He's getting a slightly larger tank next week although I have no idea when. Yesterday when I tracked it it had been delayed due to a train derailment in Illinois (must not be serious never heard anything about it on the news). Just hope noone was hurt & the aquarium isn't busted. lol
From: Donte' 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Betta
bleh -- i live in Illiois -- we have some scarey bits of track - trains will jump a rail more often than you think, really. What size tank are you moveing your baby up to ? My favorite two spend their time in a 10 galleon with a mesh divider i made. those boys have more room than anybody else at the moment (space is becomming a premium around here *L* )
From: Steph 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Betta
It's just a 3 gallon, but it has a bio-wheel which I like much better than the undergravel filter. And for one fish it should be like a palace for him. lol May get a catfish to go with him but it is still questionable and that won't happen til the tank cycles 6-8 weeks from now.
From: SilverStorm 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Betta
Nope, Lancelot doesn't have any streaks in him. But my other one, Cupid, got some grey/silver streaks in his 'cheeks'. He also got dark grey spots underneath his mouth all the way to the middle of his stomach! He's not active, but he eats.
Cupid's red, so it's easy to spot the spots and streaks.
From: Beth 2/08/02
Subject: Re: betta courtship
What excellent information! I am raising my first betta spawn and have another one on the way. Your method for allowing the female to choose her mate is brilliant! Be sure I'll try that!
Also, regarding temperature, do you mean that bettas can withstand much higher temperatures than we think? What about fry? I've seen my fry tank temperature fluctuate (temporarily) down to 72 degrees with no harm to fry. What would your guidelines be for temperature range for adults (expecially low-end - I live in the desert but our temperatures fluctuate wildly)?
Also, my fry are 4 weeks old. When will I start seeing their colors? (I bred a blue crown tail male to a Cambodian female.) Thanks so much, Beth, Reno, NV, USA
From: fire ice 2/08/02
Subject: Re: betta courtship
it's nice to know what their natural climate is like. Since you live in their native country, the temperature there should be just fine.
From: monica 2/08/02
Subject: Re: platy fry
Thanks Clint............
Sounds good.
If parents get fed twice a day and fry need up to six, how many times a day do you think would be ok for all?????????????
From: Clint 2/08/02
Subject: Re: platy fry
If you are trying to grow show winners you would need to fed constantly and use baby brne shrimp along with other live foods. Since thats not your goal (I don't think) twice a day feedings will be fine.
CN
From: monica 2/08/02
Subject: Thanks for the help Clint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:-)
From: Carly 2/08/02
Subject: Re: snails
apple snails are great for them to reproduce youd need a male and femal and even if they do mate u can easily remove the eggs
i highly suggest the apple snail
From: MRT 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Betta on a diet?
Hi, Barb,
I am one of those people who has let my betta get finicky... he ONLY eats frozen blood worms, which I tried to feed him after 12 days of feeding him other things that come conviently in a little jar (pellets, flakes, etc.). I still try to feed him other foods for health, but when I try to feed him something else (and I do try often) he gets so angry (I think) and goes to the bottom of the tank to sulk and won't even come back up to the top for that feeding--even when I dangle a blood worm in. After I put his cover back on, he returns to normal. My situation is easier than yours since he's the only one in his tank so I can do one-on-one feedings easily. If you are worried about him (and do want to train him to be as fussy as mine)--try to dangle in frozen blood worms one at a time, trying to feed him specifically... sounds like an awful lot of trouble for one little fish, but they are awfully cute, no?
From: Wendy 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Betta on a diet?
I guess they are the same thing - they look like little red/brown worms. It doesn't say anything on the container (nutrafin brand) but it sounds like they would be the same thing.
From: SilverStorm 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Betta on a diet?
Yeah, I think Red Grubs are bloodworms. Coz' in the package where I buy my Betta's freeze-dried bloodworms, on top of the picture of a Betta it said 'Red Grubs. Freeze-dried bloodworms'
So I guess it is.
From: HappyBoy 2/09/02
Subject: Re: Betta on a diet?
Ok, either your Betta seems to be having some sort of illness or it may be juz too stressed out, you know, new fish...
Perhaps you are watching through the glass when your little pet is trying for his dinner. Maybe he is a finicky eater??? For the disease, he may be having some internal diseases. Look up your fish guide for some info.
As for bloodworms, I have juz bought some, for S$0.50 only. Cheap, comapred to the S$6 frozen one... Anyway, when my new Betta won't eat, I have to sacrifice my baby Platies for her meal. After that, she began to accept her flakes and pellets...
if your Betta does
From: Leslie 2/08/02
Subject: Re: My kuhli loach died today :(
I'm so sorry to hear that. I know how you feel as I've lost many of my special fish in the last month from bacteria. My sympathies.
From: Karen 2/08/02
Subject: I agree
No matter what anyone tells you goldfish need at LEAST ten gallons per fish but a single goldfish will out grow a ten gallon tank. Twenty gallons is much better.
From: Kelli 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Betta fun - no crisis or anything
I talk to my Betta all the time. I love him! He exhibits the same behavior yours does. =o)
From: Lynanne 2/10/02
Subject: Re: Betta fun - no crisis or anything
I was concerned at first that my betta was irritated that I was entering his turf. But then today, my husband got close to the tank to look in and the betta backed up and flared at him. I laughed so hard I about fell off my chair.
Then, I got close to the tank and Alpha started his wiggly, front of the tank, dance again. My husband claimed he had probably just startled Alpha the first time. So, we traded places again and Alpha flared at my husband again. :)
From: SilverStorn 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Betta fun - no crisis or anything
If you spend a lot of time near the Betta tank or talking to him, the Betta will get to know you very quickly. Therefore, it will always recognized you and since you're familiar, he/she will know that you won't harm them and they tend to get very friendly.
From: Karen 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Another question - Do most freshwater fish like salt?
I think part of the salt being bad for some fish is water softeners. If you have a water softener that uses salt then add salt, fish that are salt sensitive may have a problem.
From: Chris 2/08/02
Subject: Re: I'm gonna do it!
I will be needing to know how to make a link where people will be able to e-mail me. That's all. Thanx :o
Chris
From: Lori 2/08/02
Subject: Re: have guppies with my betta and this is what happened
You are lucky. One of my guppies had fry and our betta was the first to feed on them. I was surprised, but it does happen.
From: hammy 2/08/02
Subject: Re: How to add salt to freshwater aquariums.
thanks...you made it very clear!!! great, and thanks for
your patience for a dolt like me to understand...
ha ha....
hammy
From: Lori 2/08/02
Subject: Re: new tank...what do you think?
First thing... if you have goldfish in there, you really shouldn't mix any other fish in there, other than more goldfish. They are high ammonia fish. In our tank (30 gallon) we have 5 cardinal tetra (mid), 3 guppies (top-mid), 1 pleco, 1 chinese algea eater, 1 loach (all three bottom), and 2 hatchets (top), and the betta (all over the place). They all "play" and get along well. We don't have any problems with tail nipping or fighting. Platy's are beautiful mid swimmers as well as dwarf gourami's. They also get along with this grouping. :)
From: Suzanne 2/08/02
Subject: Re: Molly's Tail Dropped
I know exactly what you are describing, Leslie. I have a guppy who is doing the dropped tail thing right now and had another livebearer awhile back who did the same thing. I haven't treated the water yet because I don't want to off-set the balance and everyone else (guppies, cory and puffer) seem fine.