January 11-20, 2008 questions you asked Aqualand

We don't ship critters or live fish.
When writing us, include your location.
LA_Aqualand@msn.com

Katrina Coleman, Australia, January 11, 2008
Hi. I was just reading your site and was impressed with all the pics and info on ghosts. Just wondering if you could answer a question for me please? He was fine yesterday but today when I looked at him he has a few "faded spots." What might cause this? Do you know? I'd appreciate any help. Thanks

A: Many reasons could account for the "faded spots." He could be harassed (pronounced either way, ditto on the either) by a tank mate, injured by a rough rock or even a plastic plant, suffering a bacterial infection, reacting to poor water quality or inadequate nutrition. LA

Aaron Lepley, Michigan, January 11, 2008
I have been looking at your site, and I believe that you do not ship anything. Is that true? I was interested in the live glass worms that you have discussed there and did not know if you sell them or what the cost might be for something like that. Maybe they're in my area, and I just do not know where to look. Thank you for your time, hope to here from you soon.

A: You probably have almost as many as Minnesota. Look for a pond with few fish in it. Cut a hole in the ice. Move your net in a figure-eight pattern to pull as many "worms" into it as possible. Then put your worms in a bucket of chilled water. Serious worm harvesters use portable water pumps to speed up the process and increase the yield. Bon appétit. LA

Jim Howard, Iowa, January 11, 2008
Hello, I was wondering if you had any true Siamese Algae Eaters (SAE) in
stock? Crossocheilus siamensis is the genus and species I believe.
Thank you

A: I don't know. We received some little guys called "Catfish, Siamese flying fox." They look like SAEs but I can't tell by looking at them what species they are. They are definitely not catfish. LA

Nellie Dezinski, Hesperia, MI, January 12, 2008

Please send me a catalog. I am a science and math teacher and also looking into opening a pet shop.

A: We don't have a catalog, because we don't sell thru the mail. LA

Cliff Holt, Princeton, NC, January 12, 2008
I set up a twenty gallon, let it sit for about a week, added Amazon sword plants, Angelfish, Zebra Danios, catfish, and swordtails. Within a week fish started to die. I noticed some white cottony looking stuff on the mouth of two of the fish and eventually they, along with the others (excluding the catfish and one Angelfish) had died. Completely removed everything from the tank, scrubbed, washed, even scoured the rock by putting in boiling water. Set back up, put my lone Angel and catfish back in the tank and waited a couple of weeks. Everything was good, so I added two Angelfish and within three days one of the angels had the same symptoms around the mouth so he was subsequently euthanized. I had purchased these at a local pet store who has a bizillion aquariums set up and whom I have bought from for years. While I haven't had the opportunity to get their opinion on the matter, I never blamed their stock as they have always been very reliable. At any rate, one night my wife brought home some black tetras and what I call head and tailight fish she had purchased at (I hate to say it) ahem.... Wal Mart... I added these fish and go figure... they lived and are still living happily with the other Angels and catfish. From what I have read I think the disease plaguing me is cottonmouth but I can't say for certain. Now, my question is has it been my tank or the pet store and if it is my tank what changed for the new fish to survive? Am I finally through with this dreaded disease? Thanks,

A: Who knows the original cause? (Besides The Shadow, of course.) Every time someone sets up a new tank, their fish go thru mucho stress. This weakens them (the fish) and makes them susceptible to disease (regardless of name). When you tore down your tank and started over, you started the stresses all over again. Sounds like you're past the "new tank syndrome" now. Don't tear down your tank again. Just lean back and enjoy watching your fish. LA

Beth Anne Laliberte, North Haven, CT, January 13, 2008
Hi, I discovered your info page on African Millipedes during a google search. You say room temp is fine for millipedes. I was hoping you could tell me what range of room temp is OK. I live in Connecticut and we keep
our house at about 68 degrees. It seems this might be too cold? I really don't want to kill them! Thank you for any info you can provide!!!

A: In these energy-saving days, it seems room temp varies quite a bit more than it used to. I can't give you a specific range, but we know it's lower in CT than in Africa. They do fine at 72 F and should do okay at 68 F. If you do decide to warm yours, don't use a basking light. LA

Beth Anne Laliberte, North Haven, CT, January 13, 2008
They are very active and eating well so it seems they are OK in our 68 degree house. My understanding is I should be concerned if they burrow and become lethargic. Thanks for the info.

Jordan Royal, January 13, 2008
I was wondering. I have an alligator gar, and he's getting way to big for the 50 gallon I have. Can he be put in an outdoor pond that's like a 100 gallons or so? And should I worry about birds or little kids? He's a pretty big boy though. How big do alligator gars get?

A: I don't know what part of the country you're in, but it's too cold here to put your fish in an outdoor pond. It gets hard enough to walk on. They do grow bigger -- 9 to 12 feet long -- and weigh close to 300 pounds. LA

Here's a picture of a half-grown one borrowed off the internet.

PS. Make sure your neighbors know what you're doing.

Scotty Matye, January 13, 2008
I've been breeding flowerhorns for about a year and a half and wanted to show them off. Hope you like the pics.

A: Yep. They look pretty good -- especially the first one. LA

Omar, Bakersfield, CA, January 13, 2008
Hi Aqualand, I was reading your info on Black Widows. I just wanted to share some info on how I keep mine. I use deli containers and slather petroleum jelly around the edge. This prevents them from climbing to the top. I usually give them a twig or two to help them build their web. I just give them a cricket once every two or three weeks. As long as they are plump, they don’t need food. The juveniles resemble the males and are a whitish gold color and have a brown hour glass. Some females will actually lay eggs without ever mating. Also on the 7^th picture the two gleaming dots are her largest eyes. I live in Bakersfield, California and Widows aren’t uncommon. One evening I counted over 40 in my yard. Sincerely,

A: Thanks for the extra info. I'm adding it to my black widow page. LA

GREEN VALLEY AQUACULTURES L.L.C. - SRI LANKA
GAYAN Danushca, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka, January 13, 2008
Dear Sir, Good Day to you!!!
I am an exporter of tropical fish in Sri Lanka. My customer in Wien, Austria is requiring of me some almond leaves. As this is the first time, where I am going to ship almond leaves, I don’t have an exact idea about what price should I offer him. Can you help me on this point????
When I searched the internet for the Almond leaves, I found your website and pictures of almond leaves on it.
If it is possible please let me know something more about almond leaves and I need to know for what purpose they need almond leaves in aquarium trade??? I am waiting for your favorable response.
Many thanks with best regards,

A: In Des Moines, the betta keepers (especially those who like the roundtails) use the Indian almond leaves to improve the water quality of their bettas. The leaves make them stronger and enable them to heal faster. As for exporting the leaves to another country (Vienna, Austria in your case), I have no idea what to charge for the leaves in large quantities -- especially what to charge in Euros. LA

Garrett Therauck, PA, January 14, 2008
Dear Larry, I have an aquarium whose pH is lower then I would like it to be. The pH testing kit that I have only goes as low as 6.0 and this aquarium always reads 6.0, so I am unsure just how low the pH level has fallen. Anyway my father thinks that adding baking soda is how we should get the pH back up to normal. I was just wondering if this is a legitimate strategy for safely raising pH. Baking soda will not adversely affect any of my critters will it? Thanks,

A: Baking soda will raise your pH. But why fool with your pH unless you have a problem? You don't need to hit 7.0 just because it's in the middle of the scale. Unless you are working with African cichlids, 6.0 is fine -- or even preferred. Most fish (and especially plants) do just fine at 6.0 pH. On average, you can forget your pH test kit in an established aquarium. LA

Shantanu, Gurgaon, Haryana, India, January 14, 2008

Hi Larry, A belated Happy New Year to you. One small problem that I faced, and have run out of possible solutions.

a) a 2 feet aquarium

b) 8 Neon Tetras, 4 small (1") Angels, one pleco (1.5"), 2 black mollies and one snail.

c) Temperature 28 degrees

They were co-existing happily and having fun and food, when all of a sudden all 4 angels died (almost looked like a suicide pact).

Rest of the fishes are hale and hearty. Any ideas? Thank You,

A: Shukriya and Namaste, dude and a way belated Festival of Lights to you. Under (c) I'd probably knock the temp down to 24. But I doubt that's the problem. And unless you find a signed document, it was not a suicide pact. So, that leaves the angelfish virus that every so often wipes out our angels. I just lost four tanks of them myself this last week. And a pet store owner friend of mine 40 miles north of us says he can't keep any angels alive lately. Give up on the angels for three or four months. LA

Edward Honaker, San Diego, CA, January 14, 2008
Hey LA, Love the site! Seriously the best fish site out there. I have a question about Blue rams. It seems these days that blue rams imported from Asia are injected with hormones, and/or raised in heavily medicated waters, so when they come over here, they immediately develop health problems and die. Where do you import your rams from, and how do they fare? Do you have any tips for keeping Asian rams alive? Thanks man, I really appreciate it

A: We import our rams from Chicago. But seriously, the Singapore fish farmers are absolutely serious about raising fish. They give them better foods and better care than we do over here because most Americans don't know how or aren't willing to do the work necessary to create picture perfect cookie-cutter rams, guppies, bettas, discus, etc. They have access to some chemicals that you can't easily obtain -- probably methyl testosterone being the secret ingredient that brings them all into their adult coloration in a very short time. (It also improves their batting averages.) The first thing you need to do to your new rams is to bump their temperature to 85 F, give them a better than flake food diet, and change their water often. LA

Lukester, Knoxville, TN, January 14, 2008
Hey Larry, I wrote you a little while ago about an albino clawed frog. You'll be glad to know that he just got bit by our clown knife and he's doing fine know. The clown just recently jumped though, the tank even had a cover. Well, I got a new question, me and a friend went out fishing and driftwood "hunting" the other day, and we found a really nice root piece. It was a root of a cedar tree and smelled a good bit like cedar. Anyway, have you ever heard of cedar being bad for fish and fish tanks? I've asked around and I've heard that it's okay and that it's not okay. So, I wanted to ask the all knowing, if you will. Thanks,

A: I too have heard both yay and nay on cedar. It probably has a lot to do with how aged the cedar is. The easiest way to find out is to put it in a 10-gallon tank of aged water. Then add a dozen feeder goldfish to test the water. It will probably discolor your water for even months. This may be why some people frown on cedar. But nearly all "new" driftwood will discolor your water and drop your pH. LA

Nathan Winters, January 14, 2008
Hello. I might be getting another 55 gallon aquarium from my dad's friend. We already plan to keep one oscar in the tank but I have a question. I want to put one more fish in with the oscar: a south American red-tail catfish. I already know how big red-tail catfish get and I plan on selling it (if I get one) to a pet store. Will the oscar and the red-tail catfish get along while the red-tail is there? I plan on purchasing them both at very small sizes (2-4 in.). If so, about how big could I let the red-tail get before I had to get rid of him? Thanks,

A: I'd recommend that you forget the red-tail catfish. You won't be able to sell it to a pet store when it gets large. The oscar and the red-tail will probably get along while small -- maybe even half a year. I'd forget the red-tail catfish. In case I wasn't quite clear: Do not buy the South American red-tail catfish. LA
PS Forget the red-tail catfish.

Nathan Winters, January 15, 2008
What about an albino channel cat with the oscar? I plan on releasing him into a private lake when he's big. How big could I keep the channel with the oscar before releasing? Thanks,

A: He'll get along with your oscar until he's a foot long. If you release him in the wild, do it in the spring. LA

Nicollette Green, January 16, 2008
Hi, I was wondering if you guys breed robo dwarf hamsters. Thank you.

A: Yes, one of our Aqualand staffers breeds Roberowski hamsters. LA

Larry V., January 16, 2007
Hey Larry, my bad. Somehow I just found this email. Thanks for replying back Now since it's been so long, I forgot where I found your info at. Could you please send that to me please. Thanks

A: Go to our website: aqualandpetsplus.com. You'll find the info under live foods. Or sometimes these links work: Super Worms LA

Bea Gyulay, Michigan, January 17, 2008
Dear LA, My parrot cichlid has been having white protuberances on her forehead that leave a pit when they disappear. They begin looking like a white wart then split and a small branching growth appears. when the growth disappears there is a pit left behind.
I haven't been able to find anything that looks similar to it except for HITH disease but the description of that does not mention white spots. I asked people at Pet Smart (I know but I don't know anyone else to ask.) and they said they had never heard nor seen anything like I was describing.
I kept reading about Melafix and Pimafix as antibacterial and antifungal remedies. Thus, following the directions, I treated the tank (50G @75 degrees) with both (they are supposed to work together) thinking that it might help.
Now my fish are all hanging out at the top of the tank except for the three emerald cories (corys?), a juvenile rubber nose pleco, and two head and taillight tetras.
I have one 4" parrot, 2 2" parrots, 10 long finned danios (various sizes), 3 emerald cories, 1 rubber nose pleco, and 4 gold "mystery" snails. I've been monitoring the water and everything is well within normal parameters.
Ammonia: <.5
Nitrate: < 20
Nitrite: 0
Hardness: 75
Alkalinity: 80-120
pH: 6.8
The treatment does not seem to have done anything other than stress out my fish (and one snail) and make the water cloudy. The instructions for both the Melafix and Pimafix says to treat the water for 7 days, but my fish won't eat and I'm afraid they won't last that long. I haven't read anywhere that these remedies have caused fish to have difficulty breathing (the smaller parrots’ gill covers move rapidly the large one keeps his open with little flutters at the very outside of the gill cover).
I still don't know what's wrong with my parrot cichlid and I'm afraid I may be doing more harm than good.
I appreciate any suggestion that you may be able to provide.

A: Sounds like hole-in-the-head disease to me plus your water's cloudy because your fish aren't eating. I would make a one-third water change, put a quarter cup of quality activated carbon in a porous bag in your filter for 24 hours, then treat with metronidazole. LA

Bea Gyulay, Michigan, January 17, 2008
Thanks! First person to give me a straight answer. Any idea what the prognosis might be? I hate to lose her. I don't have a hospital tank (not because I don't want one - just don't have the room). Will metronidazole harm any of the other fish or the snails?

A: The official prognosis from the Sturgeon General? It could get worse. It could get better. It could stay the same. Actually, large cichlids can usually shake it off. Much depends on whether you caught it in time. Metronidazole is a specific treatment for hexamita, the flagellated protozoan that causes hole-in-the-head symptoms. I have no idea what it will do to snails. Put them in a Miracle Whip jar of aged water until your course of treatment ends. LA

Jordan Royal, January 19, 2008
I have been hearing a lot of things about ropefish living with oscars. My oscars are small and I have a 50 gallon aquarium. I have three oscars, can a ropefish live with the oscars if I have enough hiding places for the ropefish, and with the ropefish being nocturnal?

A: You can keep almost any fish too small to swallow with small oscars. When they grow up, they will likely kill the ropefish (and most other fish that look like worms). LA
PS Sorry for the delayed answer. I had a computer problem.

Calvin, January 19, 2008
What happen to your website? It's gone. I was searching to see if u had updates and it showed something else.

A: Relax. I moved it this morning to a larger and faster (I hope) site. The whole process takes about 24 hours. LA

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