From: Clint 3/01/02
Subject: Re: Breed same pair of betta again
I don't really think they would remember each other. I think you probably heard it'ss easier to spawn Bettas that have spawned before (not neccasarily with the same partner).
Any way fighting before spawning is very normal for Bettas, they aren't usually very loving about it. I always thought of it as their testing the partner to make sure he/she is a strong tough fish whose fry will be strong and tough.
Wait until He has the nest built and she has the egg tube out, and they seem more freindly towards each other before you let her out.
CN
From: Andrea 3/01/02
Subject: Re: Breed same pair of betta again
Um i kinda heard the oppisite! Well, i have tried to rebreed betta's, and have never had any luck no matter how hard i try...
From: veadra 3/01/02
Subject: bumblebee gobies in a ten
As soon as I exchange my 2 female kribs for rams (they killed a female gourami in the 30 gal community) I'll have a ten gallon free, and I'd like to try some bumblebees-they're so cute! Anyway, how many could I put in there with or without ghost shrimp and how much salt should I add to make it brackish? or which density should I add salt to? 0.012 seems to be what other people said, but I realize that the salinity of brackish water varies, so it's flexible. Also, have these guys ever been known to reproduce in aquariums? It seems like they would, a place called "Aquarium Services" in Ottawa (which has about everything, fresh or saltwater) has them for $2.99, which, here, is the price of zebra danios, neons, guppies, etc. in most mom-and-pop shops.
From: Clint 3/01/02
Subject: Re: bumblebee gobies in a ten
In my opinion they don't need that much salt. they aren't really brackish to that extent. I would just add 2 tablespoons of salt for 10 gallons. They will spawn sometimes, it's never dependable tho, they might not spawn for a year and then they might spawn continously. I had my best luck with them spawning in 3 inch sections of 1/2 inch round pvc pipe "caves" and it seems like they would spawn better if the water wasn't changed for a month and then a big change with softer more acidic water without any salt, Im assuming they thought it had rained.
They are very picky eaters and if you don't have some kind of live food they will never do really well. They will eat frozen foods but if you're gonna try spawning them you'll have to at least give them some baby brine shrimp or grindal worms.
I love these little fish and wish I could find some locally.
Clint
From: veadra 3/01/02
Subject: Re: bumblebee gobies in a ten
Well, like I said, Aquarium Services here has them, you could try checking big retail stores like that, or maybe we could do an exchange sometime. I'd LOVE to have some Heterandria and/or Fundulopanchax sheeli, they're both nice and colorfull. I've been meaning to get some live food cultures going, but I've been doing a lot of procrastinating (my specialty). I'll probably get the gobies this week, it's March Break here(FREE!!! at last!!!) so I'm not really doing anything else. Oh, there's an aquarium club auction on the third, I think it might be worth going to. My pH is around 6.0-6.5, not really sure of the dH, just know it's "medium hard", I guess that'll have to do. Do they take care of their young or try to eat them like guppies do?
From: Clint 3/01/02
Subject: Re: bumblebee gobies in a ten
Veadra you are in Canada right? Man, I wish I was in driving distance to aquarium club auctions. If you go please ask around and see if anyone has fundulosoma thierryi, I am really wanting some of those, eggs in peat would be best.
I definately reccomend you going to the auction and just meeting the other fish nutz will be worth it.
I'll have plenty of heterandria in the spring and the sheeli are already spawning in their tanks, I am seeing fry in there with no effort. But I'm also collecting eggs and hatching them out separate. The Gardneri Misaje are very prolific but they seem to be eating their fry, but again Im saving some eggs. The endlers are dropping a lot of fry but 80% are turning into males. I hope the temp increase in spring will change that.
CN
From: veadra 3/02/02
Subject: Re: bumblebee gobies in a ten
http://www.thebomb.clara.co.uk/thierryi.html
is this the right fish? just thought I'd check to make sure.
From: veadra 3/02/02
Subject: Re: bumblebee gobies in a ten
yes, I'm in Canada. A couple of weeks ago I saw a flier for the auction on the door of my LPS, otherwise I wouldn't have known about it. I'll try to go if I can get the car, I'm definately not taking the bus there, it would take at least 45 mins even though driving distance is just 20. Maybe I'll go to aquarium services then, too. Would you like me to pick you up some bumblebees then or check out their stock first to make sure it's healthy? Either way, I'd like to wait till April-May to ship them so it won't be too cold outside. I could hold them for you till then. We're having a warm winter so it should be about 20 C or so by then, it should be constant and wouldn't affect them as much as the weather now, it went from 7 to -10 in 2 days and then back up to 5 and down to -10 again. Talk about indian's summer...er...winter: )
From: Clint 3/02/02
Subject: Re: bumblebee gobies in a ten
Yep that would be great. You can wait until warmer weather to get them, I agree theres no reason to risk loosing them in a cold shipment.
Theres really only one thierryi so that is it, I checked anyway.
It has been a wierd winter here too, 70 one day and 20 the next. Maybe it will kill all the gnats.
Alabama is the gnat capitol of the world, and "love bugs", its like a plague.
Clint
From: veadra 3/02/02
Subject: Re: bumblebee gobies in a ten
Funny how strange the weather is. We only got about 2" of snow before Christmas, and even then we got it about 3 days before, usually our first snow can be as early as Halloween, and at least a foot by Christmas. Now it all started melting mid-february, when that usually happens late march to early may. We set at least 4 records for warmth and one for cold. Go figure.
From: Karen 3/01/02
Subject: My bumble bees
I keep 8 in a 20 long with 5 ghost shrimp. 1 bee or 1 shrimp to a gallon. I find they like caves to swim in and out of.
I keep mine in a salt concentration of 1 teaspoon per gallon and they do really well. Have not noticed if they have bred yet. AS I understand it the male guards the eggs but once they hatch he will et them. I do suspect mine have bred by behaviour but with 8 in there the babies would have no chance, and i am not really interested in breeding them.
I know my shrimp have bred numerous times but figure the bees have enjoyed the meal.
Oh, I use ocean salt.
From: ILUZFISH 3/01/02
Subject: Wacko Shape
I have a zebra danio that is really weird. Its body is bent, and almost looks like its preganant. But then its tail sticks almost striaght up. Its really bent out of shape (literally). The other fish also pick at it and try to bite it, and it won't eat. What's wrong?
From: veadra 3/01/02
Subject: Re: Wacko Shape
he's probably deformed, like when a human is born with one hand smaller than the other, missing a toe, etc. I would suggest that you get him his own tank or section of tank because he's probably a slower swimmer and that's why he's getting picked on. Maybe then he'll eat. Otherwise, he'll die soon, but would probably still enjoy a break from getting picked on.
From: HappyBoy 3/02/02
Subject: Re: Wacko Shape
Deformed.
From: Tara 3/01/02
Subject: All my fish are dying.....help
I had a male mollie die about 2 weeks ago. I asked about my other mollie at the time because hi tail was bent but otherwise everybody else looked heathly. I did turn my heater down to 76 as clint suggested in case it was a little warm for them (was reading 79-80). Anyways last week my platie died...she was due to give birth so I thought maybe stress killed her because everyone else was fine still. Yesterday I noticed 3 of my four remaining mollies were laying around on the bottom of my tank. I moved the three of them to my empty 5 gallon tank with condition water and salt in case there was something else going on. This morning one of them were dead and one os laying on the bottom gasping for air. The last of the three is my male who was attacked a while ago and he is swimming but his tail is still bent and hes swimming almost vertical. They look bad enough that I figure at this point meds probably won't help but I don't really know what to treat for anyway. I have 3 babies that are about 2 months old in the community tank and they look fine and seem to get bigger everyday. Basically all i have left is 2 platies and the babies and 1 female mollie in my community tank. If anyone has any ideas about whats happening please help. Should i add meds to my community tank as a prevention or/ should I try and med the ones I isolated? I do weekly 20% water changes conditioned and salted. My water tests fine and the fish in the community tank are active and hungry. Please any advice is appericiated. Thanks.
From: Michelle 3/01/02
Subject: Re: All my fish are dying.....help
Did you test your water? My mollies acted like that once when my ammonia got a little too high.
From: Tara 3/01/02
Subject: Re: All my fish are dying.....help
Yeah i tested and everythings fine....The tank is fully cycled. and 29 gallons so its way understocked.
From: Barb 3/01/02
Subject: Re: All my fish are dying.....help
Is there a disease called clenched fin or something like that. My platy had something like yours. Her tail fin was bent up and was all clenched together and all her other fins were tight to her body too. I had her in a hospital tank for about 3 weeks and she died last night. My dad used to keep fish and he mentioned something about a disease in which all the fins were tight to the body and he thought is was call 'clenched fin' or something.
From: sorry 3/01/02
Subject: Re: All my fish are dying.....help
I hope everything turns out! I think you're doing everything you can.
From: Andy 3/01/02
Subject: Fish
I now have 2 set of fishes :1Peaarl Gourami &4 Female Swordtails what go good with them
From: Karen 3/01/02
Subject: What size tank?
What size tank?
From: HappyBoy 3/02/02
Subject: Re: What size tank?
Very easy. 2 inches for 1 gallon.
From: Karen 3/02/02
Subject: Not so easy
Anytime you go by inches of fish per gallon or vice versa for all fish you are asking for trouble.
An inch of swordtail is very different from and inch of Oscar. At best this can only be a general guideline. At worst it can really cause problems.
From: Eric 3/01/02
Subject: ghost shrimp eating habit
Hi,
I have 2 ghost shrimps. Before, i had a very well developed 5 gal. tank, and plenty of brown algae. But the shrimps never ate the algae, only fish food that fall to the bottom. I had to clean the entire thing because of snails.
Now, the tank is again developed and algae is growing. Now the ghost shimps are munching on the algae. I think the algae I have now is the same algae I had before, brown algae. What do you think? Why didn't the shrimp eat the old brown algae but now eats tne new brown algae?
The algae they work on most is on the plastic plants.
Thanks!
Eric
From: Karen 3/01/02
Subject: Re: ghost shrimp eating habit
I have ghost shrimp and have seen them browsing on algae but they mostly eat fish foods.
From: Justin 3/01/02
Subject: Salt
You all say it is ok to use one teaspoon i think of table salt per gallon. How often am I supposed to put the salt in?
From: Karen 3/01/02
Subject: Re: Salt
Salt does not evaporate so do not add any when topping off a tank. When you are doing a water change add it to the water you are putting in the tank.
From: Justin 3/01/02
Subject: Salt
You all say it is ok to use one teaspoon i think of table salt per gallon. How often am I supposed to put the sal in?
From: Sarah 3/01/02
Subject: Betta in 37 galloon community tank???
Does anyone know whether you can put a male betta in a larger tank with 2 med-lg angels, 3 clown loaches, 5 neons, 2 siamese flying-foxes and 1 pleco? I love these guys but never knew if they would get along with everyone in a larger tank. I always see them in such small bowls. I even thought I heard someone say that they like the confinement. I find this hard to believe...who wouldn't want more space?? I was also thinking of adding 2 German Blue Rams when the fish store gets them in.So, will this combo of fish get along with a betta? Any info anyone can spare would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
From: AJB 3/01/02
Subject: Re: Betta in 37 galloon community tank???
The angel fish would probably take chunks out of his fins. Other than that they would be fine.
HTH
AJB
From: Leslie 3/01/02
Subject: Re: Betta in 37 galloon community tank???
I've had one male betta in a community tank with angels as well as other fish. The only problems I've ever had as far as taking chunks out were from tiger barbs and bleeding heart tetras.
From: Sarah 3/02/02
Subject: Re: Betta in 37 galloon community tank???
Thanks for your help AJB & Leslie! Maybe I'll give it a try. If the angels are taking chunks from their fins I can always remove him and put him in his own bowl right? Thanks again!
From: john 3/01/02
Subject: just would like some opinions...
Hi everyone. I will soon be turning my 60 gallon tank into a breeding tank. I will separate it into separate sections to keep the fish alone with their partner so to make less stress and work for them and keep their fry safer. What i would appreciate is your opinions on how many times i may divide my aquarium into where i would not be leaving my fish too little space to move have. What is the proper amount of space to give a pair of fish(they are firemouths, and other fish that are about the size of two guppys). I donīt want to be mean to the fish so i need some opinions. So, how many dividers(pair of fish) should i keep? Thanks and i`m looking forward to hearing the answers. john
From: Clint 3/02/02
Subject: Re: just would like some opinions...
I would divide it into thirds. 20 gallons per would be great.
Do you intend to set-up 3 pairs of firemouths? You'll be swamped with fry. What are you gonna do with all those babies?
Clint
From: Lynanne 3/01/02
Subject: Re: just would like some opinions...
Make sure you use non-see through dividers to ease stress on the fish. Imagine the fish's frustration if he could see and smell that fertile female next door but just couldn't get to her. Even if they are not breeding, some fish just do not like being isolated from other fish that they can see.
From: sw 3/01/02
Subject: my new Flame Tetras....
Well, I know they may not last, but I decided to save some Flame Tetras that I got from, ugh, Wal-Mart. But they were so cute and I couldn't just leave them there.
The toy department guy caught them (I couldn't watch), I brought them home in the freezing cold, kept them in my puffy jacket for warmth, then they had a bumpy ride home in my car, and then into the tank! After all that, I can't believe they haven't developed ich yet! Maybe they are extra strong for having lived in crappy conditions....
This morning they were swimming around happily and ate! If they survive and the ones in the store survive another two weeks, I am going to go back and get 4 more...
From: Karen 3/01/02
Subject: Re: my new Flame Tetras....
Good Luck. Sometimes it works out.
From: sw 3/01/02
Subject: Weird, my response got posted twice!
???
From: Lynanne 3/01/02
Subject: Re: my new Flame Tetras....
A little secret on discount store fish - Sometimes you can get them with in a day after they have received them (mid to late in the week) so they haven't been stressed for days-weeks in squalid conditions.
If you use that store for a regular source of fish, you might inquire as to when they usually receive shipments (day and approximate time of the day). Rarely they will let you have them right out of the box, but be aware that moving them too soon after they are put in their tank can be a double stress on them (adjusting to the stores tank and then adjusting to your tank).
From: sw 3/01/02
Subject: Re: my new Flame Tetras....
Good idea!
I hadn't planned on buying them from Wal-Mart, but they were so pretty and they were beseeching me! Or maybe they were just hungry ;)
Plus, I couldn't find them at any other stores when I went out and looked....
Last week I was surprised to see that they had a couple of Elephant Noses. I almost speeded up my plan to start my big, big tank, but when I went back they were gone already.
From: Lynanne 3/01/02
Subject: Re: my new Flame Tetras....
A little secret on discount store fish - Sometimes you can get them with in a day after they have received them (mid to late in the week) so they haven't been stressed for days-weeks in squalid conditions.
If you use that store for a regular source of fish, you might inquire as to when they usually receive shipments (day and approximate time of the day). Rarely they will let you have them right out of the box, but be aware that moving them too soon after they are put in their tank can be a double stress on them (adjusting to the stores tank and then adjusting to your tank).
From: sw 3/01/02
Subject: Re: my new Flame Tetras....
Good idea!
I hadn't planned on buying them from Wal-Mart, but they were so pretty and they were beseeching me! Or maybe they were just hungry ;)
Plus, I couldn't find them at any other stores when I went out and looked....
Last week I was surprised to see that they had a couple of Elephant Noses. I almost speeded up my plan to start my big, big tank, but when I went back they were gone already.
From: big nig 3/01/02
Subject: only 2 fish left
in my 55 galon tank i had 30 fish 28 assorted tetras and 2 irredescent sharks .. well now i only have 2 sharks .. when your lfs tells you its not a good idea to have tetras in with them i guess they know what they are talking about . it was suggested to get cichlids.. i saw a couple of green terrors that i am interested in .. just wondering if any one has kept them ...?? or any suggestions on what to keep with my sharks .. its a pretty big tank for only 2 fish.
From: Karen 3/01/02
Subject: Re: only 2 fish left
I assume you want a mixed community tank.
My first thought was a couple moe irridescent sharks and keep it as a species tank. Or see if you can return the sharks and stock with other fish.
Others will have better ideas I am sure, these were my thoughts.
From: Kori 3/01/02
Subject: Vaction Feeding
I am planning to visit a friend for 3 days. I have a weekend feeder for my 10gal tank. I have a Betta and I'm not sure how to handle this. Are there any products that will work for a Betta?
Plus, I saw and read the article on Endler's Livebearers. Anybody have these? How rare are they? How can I go about getting a few? I live in a small town and I have a feeling that the local pet place won't have them, let alone have heard of them.
Thanks to everyone who has given me great suggestions!! All your help has been and will be truly aprreciated!!
From: Clint 3/01/02
Subject: Re: Vaction Feeding
3 days is no problem. Don't worry about feeding the fish they will be fine. Vacation feeder blocks aren't very effective, it's low quality food and pollutes the water more than helping anything.
The endlers I have are producing, but slowly and most males are being born, I hope a rise in temperature will cause the sex ratio to even out. I see them listed frequently at http://www.aquabid.com
They are really popular fish.
Clint
From: Karen 3/01/02
Subject: Re: Vaction Feeding
i find those weekend feeders can mess with the water quality. Your betta can go for a week without food and be fine.
As for Endler's Livebearers, I have no experience with them myself.
From: veadra 3/01/02
Subject: "Vaction Feeders"
Recently, I crushed up one of these to see what was in them. It was white powder resembling chalk with a few brown flecks which I assumed were the bloodworms the package said they were full of. The package also stated that there were only two ingredients, including calcium sulfate. So, off to google.com I went and I discovered that one of the common uses of calcium sulfate was in drywall. Yum, won't my fish just love to eat drywall? I don't think so. Keep in mind, these were made by nutrafin, a comapany which I usually trust. Anyway, just don't feed your fish for the 3 days you'll be gone. They'll be fine.
From: HappyBoy 3/01/02
Subject: Re: "Vaction Feeders"
Okay, there's nothing wrong using a vacation feeder. The bad thing is that the thingy might break down or get jammed while you are on a vacation... And worse, the thingy may not only break down but also spill ALL the food in the feeder into your tank.
Betta are tough little creatures. I suggest puting those worms or little feeder fish from the Aqua-shop enough for 3 days. I dunno about Siamese Fighters coz mine can devour two shrimps that are thrice the size of my Betta's eye and they keep wanting more.
Fasting may be a good way to slim down and reduce that voracious appetite of your Betta. Trust me, they wouldn't die of starvation of 3 days only...
From: veadra 3/02/02
Subject: Re: "Vaction Feeders"
I wasn't talking about the automatic feeders that dump in food from the little cups that you set it in, I was talking about those hard little blocks of white stuff that you set in your tank to disolve and "feed" the fish. I'm sure the automatic things are fine, as long as, like you said, they don't get stuck.
From: Lori 3/01/02
Subject: Cycling...and ammonia/nitrites
We started over with our tank 2 weeks ago, and it has the bio-wheel filter, 30gal. The ammonia 2 days ago was up at 1.0 and today it is down to almost nothing. The Nitrites however are still showing at 0ppm. We take readings everyday, and the ammonia was increasing little by little, and have not had nitrite readings at all. Any ideas on how the ammonia is disappearing? I know the fish don't help get rid of it, and the filter wasn't taking it out prior to this. This tank is driving me batty! Fish seem to be doing fine, although the cardinal tetra's are eating less and don't come around for feeding like they used to. (we have used 2 different ammonia tests, and both came out same, so we know it is accurate). Is there reason for concern? Are there nitrites that the test isn't seeing? I just find this weird. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lori
From: Lynanne 3/01/02
Subject: Re: Cycling...and ammonia/nitrites
Biowheels are extremely efficient at developing a biological filter. If your tank is understocked, you may have already "cycled" the tank. Just be careful to add more fish a few at a time, to give it time to catch up each time.
To be sure your tank has really cycled, check the water once a week for the next several weeks. And enjoy your fish!
From: Lois 3/01/02
Subject: Re: Cycling...and ammonia/nitrites
Have you checked nitrates just in case?
From: Karen 3/01/02
Subject: Re: Cycling...and ammonia/nitrites
How many fish? Did you fully stock the tank right away or did you add the fish a few at a time? Are you using any water conditioners or additives.Some of these can influence readings. Are you doing water changes and if so how often.
It takes a tank about 6 weeks to cycle, so it may just be case of patience. Sometimes testing to often will make a person worry when they shouldn't or they start trying to correct when it may not need it.
This drives some people nuts but I never test my water. I set my tank up and from teh beginning do regular water changes and maintenance. I start with a few fish I wish to keep, over a period of a month or more slowly add more fish til I have what I want. I also keep most of my tanks understocked.
From: Cheneyfish 3/01/02
Subject: Cycling times can very
I personaly have had tanks cycle in as long as 6 weeks and as short as 9 days. Of course the 9 day one was with a filter off of an existing tank, rocks and plants from an existing tank and a bit of gravel and water from the same tank. But the point is that there is no set date that your tank will be cycled on. With tanks that I have started from scratch (no stuff from existing tanks) I have have tanks cycle in as short as 3 weeks and as long as 6. So hang in there and don't let yourself get too caught up in any preceived time table.
From: yvonne 2/28/02
Subject: best substrate for real plants--what are your opinions?
My tanks are all in the process of converting from fake plants to real plants. Yes, even my Oscars will get some real plants. (can't hurt to try). I have ordered alot of plants that will not be in until late next week, so I do have time to figure out the substrate. What do you feel is the best substrate that should fulfill just about every plant species that might exist? I have read alot on it, but nothing really catches my eye as far as being the best. I would appreciate any opinions anybody has.
From: AJB 3/01/02
Subject: Re: best substrate for real plants--what are your opinions?
I use fluorite, which is a clay based substrate. The only disadvantage is it needs a lot of rinsing.
hth,
AJB
From: Cheneyfish 3/01/02
Subject: Onyx by Seachem
Onyx by Seachem is what I am currently using and I really like it, even the color is great.
From: yvonne 3/01/02
Subject: Re: Onyx by Seachem
Where did you get the Onyx substrate? I went to a bunch of pet stores and a bunch of home stores that have soil. I cannot find anything for the fish tank. I really want the Onyx by Seachem, but will settle for anything that I can put in the tank. Somebody at the petstore told me that regular potting soil will do...is this so? If that is true, that would be great because I need alot of it.
From: yvonne 3/01/02
Subject: Re: Onyx by Seachem
Thank you Cheneyfish....can I ask, do you have it mixed with anything else. I looked it up and like what I see. I have also seen where some people mix it flourite (also made by Seachem). I have already spent alot of money on my fishtanks, so I am trying to spend as little as possible. Do you think the Onyx and my already medium sized gravel will do well together?
From: Cheneyfish 3/01/02
Subject: Re: Onyx by Seachem
I do not have it mixed with anything, I believe that it has the same properties as flourite so there is no need for both. As for mixing it with your gravel, I am not sure :( but I would think that if you put a layer of the onyx down then a small layer of your gravel on top it would work. But then again I do not know, I for one like the look of the onyx sand so wouldn't want to cover it. Besides sand,as opposed to gravel, doesn't let the fish/food waste slip down into the substrate. Thus you only have to skim the surface when vacumming and you don't have junk that you missed rotting away.
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