February 1-10, 2011 questions you asked Aqualand

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Rudy Wieck, Ames, IA, February 1, 2011
I have been looking for a pair of red jewel cichlids. I would prefer Hemichromis lifalili or Blood-Red Jewel Cichlid and I was wondering if you have any available? I'm looking for about 5 juvis to make a pair or if there is a confirmed pair that is still relatively young I would go for that. Do you have any of these or other jewels available? If not, are you planning on getting any more in your next order? Thanks for your time!

LA
Eat your heart out.

A: We haven't had any lifalilis for many moons. They have not been available to us for quite a while. We have a potful of the regular jewels. Somebody brought us a bucketful. Many are easily breeder size. I haven't sorted any pairs out because I've been messing around with other projects -- mostly snails, shrimp, and flowerhorns. Probably Dave at the Ark or the other Dave at Dyvigs Pet Shop can get them for you as quickly as I can. LA

Rudy Wieck, Ames, IA, February 1, 2011
How much would a pair of your regular jewels cost? I've heard a pair is hard to make because they're difficult to sex (from your website) so would I need to buy about 5 until a pair is formed? And yes, I go to the Ark often and I do like Dyvig's but my first fish I ever got was about 3 years ago and it was from Aqualand. I PREFER to get my actual fish from you due to my great first experience.

A: Well, it's hard to argue with your logic. Don't come for two or three days. The roads suck right now. Breeder-size jewels will run you $10 each, Probably, if you pick four (of different sizes), you'll likely come up with a breeder pair. LA

Rudy Wieck, Ames, IA, February 2, 2011
How big are breeder-size jewels? How big are the ones that you have? I have seen some jewels look amazing and others are rather dull. Just wondering about the batch you have now. Also, I have a male krib about 1.75 inches and a female about .75 inches. Do they have any trade in value? I appreciate you answering all these questions. I know I have many.

LA
3-inch jewel fish -- probable male.

LA
2.5-inch jewel -- probable female.

A: Here's a pair I picked out for myself. Breeder size varies around 2 to 3 inches. I have not measured all the ones I have. Jewel fish colors vary all the time, depending upon how they feel. Your male krib has some trade-in value because I have a spinster female the sams size. Your female not so much. I've got a dozen or so of them. LA

年糕, Hong Kong, February 1, 2011
LA Aqualand: 兔年第一份礼，就给你！

A: I cannot understand many words in Mandarin except 你好, nihau (hello) and whatever's on the menu. LA

Steven Becker, Cranberry PA, February 1, 2011
I have a 2.5 gallon tank in my room with a pair of neon tetras, a pair of zebra danios, and a baby silver dollar in it, and the tank glass has little white worms climbing all over it, what are these?

LA
Blob of pond snail eggs plus some round worms.

A: Your tank probably includes both round worms and flatworms -- maybe a couple hundred kinds to choose from. They help clean up the excess food you're giving your fish. They are very helpful little scavengers. Reduce your feeding amount and they'll disappear. And get rid of that silver dollar. Most grow to four or five inches. LA

Steven Becker, Cranberry PA, February 3, 2011
dont worry about the silver dollar, i got a larger tank for him dowstairs already, thanks for the help, i also have a fairly large bearded dragon, and i was wondering after reading ur dragon page, what does it mean when their eyes buldge out after they get wet or something, i noticed it happening on one of the photos of a dragon you recently cleaned off to bring out its color.

A: I'm not sure what it means. I don't think I've ever noticed that behavior. LA

aw shaw, February 1, 2011
how do you keep the ammonia out of your water i have one tank that i have trouable with i do 1/2 water change but how long do i have to keep doing this i have af.cichlids in it if you can help i thank you

A: Any number of companies sell a product called Zeolite. It absorb ammonia and can be re-charged in salt water. SeaChem, Tetra, Kordon, and Aquarium Pharmaceuticals all make products that de-toxify ammonia. Also, the bacteria in a functioning under gravel filter will convert it to less harmful substances. LA
B: You have probably used one of the Ammo-lock products and have no ammonia in your water. Carefully read your labels and they will say that the Nessler's Reagent tests will indicate ammonia after using their product. You need to re-test with one of the salicylate test kits (which are pricey). When you or your local fish store test your water, they (or you) use the cheaper test kit. You probably have no free ammonia. LA

aquastonedragon, February 1, 2011
Thanks LA, I have one more question. I have a 10 gallon tank that doesn't have anything in it. Do you think it would be possible to keep just a male and female in the tank? Like to keep them in permanently and would they breed in it if the male didn't kill her?

A: It's up for grabs. I have no idea what the male will do. If you lower their temperature, he'll probably be less pugilistic and live longer. He won't flare as much, tho. LA

Melinda Bailiff, Des Moines, IA, February 2, 2011

Hi Larry! I guess we got lucky and missed the big snow that fell south and east of us here in Des Moines, yay! I was wondering if you have any pink convicts available right now? I have a regular male convict that is about 3 inches and I want a female for him to breed with. Also do you know if I can put a pleco in my 20 gallon goldfish tank that is unheated? I have a mondo algae problem and the tank stays between 68 - 72 degrees, not sure if it is too cold for a pleco or if there is an algae eater that can withstand those temps? Here is a picture of my comet that 10 months ago was just a little 2 inch feeder and now he is about 8 inches long. I know he is too big for the tank but I can't bear to give him away he is so pretty. I guess I will be looking for a bigger tank for him this spring.

A: As I write this, the radio says -1 F with a current windchill of 13 below. They're promising much colder later tonight. Don't leave your brass monkeys outside. I have maybe 85 pink convicts of various sizes and prices. I've sorted out a few pairs. Cool looking goldfish. You can keep a pleco in with him. LA

Chris Demadura, Kansas, February 2, 2011
Hello, I am having a problem with my boesmani rainbows. I went on a short weekend trip, and came back to find a large hole in the side of one of my rainbows (attached pic). I quickly checked the water, but couldn't find anything wrong. I changed the water, and added melafix.The fish died a day later. I did another water change after this. I thought everything was fine, but I looked and noticed the side of another one of my boesmani rainbows is looking odd. I am afraid this fish may have the same
problem, and that all my other boesmani rainbows may catch it as well. I think whatever it has came from the rosey red feeders i put in the tank for another fish.
Do you know what the sickness is? is there any way to fix it? is there any way to prevent the spread to my other rainbows, or other fish in general? I would put him in my quarantine tank, but that currently houses a blue jack dempsy i just purchased.
Not sure if it matters, but the tank is a 55 gallon slightly brackish (specific
gravity 1.005). Tankmates include a snowflake eel, mono sabae, various gouramis, a shubunkin goldfish, several more boesmani rainbows, and a bristlenose pleco.
Also, I just purchased a 210 gallon aquarium. I plan on this to be a full
freshwater tank. What is the best filtration? Some have told me a canister is
fine, others have told me its best to build a sump.

CD

A: Not a disease. Looks like a bite wound to me. Are you adding the rosy reds to feed your snowflake eel? Seems he likes Indonesian food also. Take out your snowflake eel. LA

Carolyne Rinehart, Market Makers, February 2, 2011
Dear La_aqualand, We excel at driving traffic to web sites like
yours. Would you like to see how? Email us today and we'll show you with a free site consultation. Sincerely,

A: I'll pass. Thanks. LA

Jake Mikuls, Kansas City, KS, February 3, 2011

Hi I am trying to make a community paludarium and found I was in need of some help. I already have a FBT and Roughback Newt and they do fine but i know almost nothing about fish. I was wondering if you knew of any good cool water fish aside from Danios and White clouds thanks.

PS The tank is usually from 72-75 in the afternoon but drops to the upper 60's at night thanks. I know you can help!

A: Goldfish, koi, weather loach, paradise, gold barb. LA

Joann, Pennsylvania, February 4, 2011
I had an underwater aquarium red claw crab. He was at least 2 inches or more wide including the legs. I really would like to get another one that large.
I got him at Walmart (Gibsonia, Pa)....he lived about 3 months........We changed the size of our aquarium and then he lost his couple legs, then he died.
He moulted once and came back from this real good.   Maybe the stress caused him to die??
Let me know where I can get another one this size...or what you know about them.
ps: He stayed under the water for hours at a time....then crawled up the filter tube and go in the little opening to sleep for hours at a time......
But he really stayed under the water.   (Was he a THAI crab?)

LA
Red claw crab. Mean and pinchy. Likes to hide even more than most crabs. Pretty. Male

A: He was probably a red claw crab from Thailand. I don't know where you can find them in PA. You can find out what I know about them at Red Claw Crabs . LA

Joann, Pennsylvania, February 4, 2011
Hi Larry, Thanks for the reply.....I'm sure that is what is was. I bought him at Walmart....but they have not been getting them in lately. They get in the Fiddler Crabs. My RCC was at least a 3"to4" span across. He was a nice size. He also moulted once. I thought he was dead at first....then later in the day I saw him hiding behind the heater pad in the back. He was real shy and was hiding a lot after that, but he seemed very well and starting to eat his favorite plants. But after we changed the aquarium water and got a big one.....I think the stress did him in.. Your picture is exactly what he looked like.

A: Your chances of ordering another go way up when you talk to your local fish store. You might also look into Patriot Crabs. They last a lot longer. LA

Spencer Culbertson, February 5, 2011
I was maybe planning on getting a red eared slider. the only problem with that is he has an infected eye. I was wondering if you knew of any slider-friendly antibiotics. if you did, how would I apply it? I don’t know if you should give it by mouth, add it to the water, or apply it directly to the wound.

A: Tetra makes a turtle eye-wash for putting in their eyes and a sulfa block that you drop in their water. Theoretically mos turtle eye problems stem from a lack of vitamin A. Also the main treatment is keeping their water clean. LA

Kyle Burk, February 5, 2011
do you know if zebra danios and discus are good tank mates for each other? I need a cheap discus tank mate that breeds easily.
Are neon eggs light sensitive? If so, should they be In the dark or in the light?

A1: Zebras would make lousy tank mates for discus.
A2: Neon eggs are light sensitive. You will never breed them.
PS Every fish you add to your discus tank increases your difficulty in keeping discus alive. Have your read any discus books? You'll notice that the pros rarely mix in any other fish. Discus are difficult enough without adding tank mates. LA

Jordan Varner, February 7, 2011
Hi I have a female guppy that has a tumor? It has spread to other parts of the belly. What should i do?

A: From your photo I can't tell whether it's a tumor or an internal parasite. In either case, I would euthanize her. LA
PS I don't recall much research being done on guppy tumors. There was a great deal of research done on red swordtails last century.

John McDonald, Savannah, GA, February 7, 2011
Hello: I was wondering if you ship Japanese Moss balls? If you do, what do they cost and what would it cost to ship to Savannah, Georgia?? Thank you!!!

A: I really don't ship much of anything. Anyway, I doubt they would survive our Iowa winter. We're expecting -6F tonight. LA

Shubham Mathur, sunny Bradenton, FL, February 7, 2011
I have a neutral/ mildly acidic 150 gallon community tank currently with 3 pearl gouramis, 2 siam algae eaters, and one 7 or so inch Sarasa Comet (whom I love too much and have had for 4 years, spared from my turtle tank). I have been looking for a predatory catfish to go in this tank for a long time, because catfish are my favorite "genera" of fish (who doesn't love a catfish?). I have a clarias catfish who lives with my turtle too and he is a monster for food. The coolest fish I have ever owned. I want a catfish that is active, and will scavenge and swim around and hunt a little. My only limitation is size. I don't want one that can eat my other fish. I'm looking for a catfish that won't harm any of my fish, (So i guess only growing up to 3 or 4 inches) but behaves similarly to say a baby channel or pictus catfish. I have been looking all over on the web for a catfish that meets all these requirements; active scavenger/ predator, 3 or 4 or so inch max size, and likes mildly acidic water. Thanks,

LA
Pictus catfish.

A: I really doubt you have a clarias catfish. They've been illegal in the U.S. for about two decades. Your Florida DNR would be knocking at your door if you had one. Anyway, the catfish I recommend is not only "like a pictus catfish" as you say, it is a pictus catfish. LA
PS If you really do have a clarias catfish, send me a picture or better yet, send me the fish. I've wanted one for years.

Shubham Mathur, sunny Bradenton, FL, February 8, 2011
They're everywhere here. I found it almost 3 years ago as a little baby about one inch long. A couple months later i found an albino of the same species (they'd been breeding in a retention pond in our yard. At the time i had no idea as to the species and their status. But it is also illegal to release them back, and i am sure as heck not going to kill him or anything.
P.S. i am not even kidding about finding an albino clarias catfish in our pond. ill send pictures in a little while. I currently have the one normal grey one, who has grown to 8 inches, being caught at 1 inch. The albino jumped out last year. I had no idea a 5 inch fish could jump one foot out of the aquarium. (one foot is the distance from the water to the top). My normal clarias now lives with my turtle. They both get along just fine. I love clarias catfish. If you come down to florida and hunt in retention ponds etc. you can find em. The only concern i had about the pictus cafish is their size. I would feed it some live guppies, rosy reds etc. in addition to pellets, but i don't want it to eat anything else. i mean, im not planning on getting neons or anything.

A: Very few pictus catfish grow larger than 4 inches. Make sure you send me those clarias pictures. I never got any pictures of them when they were legal. LA

Shubham Mathur, sunny Bradenton, FL, February 8, 2011
Albino clarias is in a standard 10 gallon for a size comparison. These were pre- major water change. I keep my tanks very clean and clear. The black clarias has grown considerably since that photo. Hes 8 inches now, but at the time of the photo about the same size as the albino. and that baby clarias (not one i own now) but shows about what size i caught the clarias i own. I diddnt even realise they were in the pond (it had never been stocked with anything except gambusia at that point) but when i was raking out some blue green algae it just happened to be stuck in the algae. Ive had it for over 3 years now and is A. The toughest fish i have ever owned, and B. my favorite. Once it jumped out and i diddnt realise that until about 10 min or so later when i saw it wiggling behind my turtles tank. When i picked it up its skin was dry and rubbery (not unlike a frog that has been out of water for a while) i put him back and with in a day or t wo he was completely recovered. They havent spread up to Iowa because they really do poorly in freezing temperatures. In the 2009- 2010 winter (a freakishly cold winter for south florida) it more or less maintained low 30's for 3 or four days. Gigantic fish kill, including most every clarias in my pond. (I did find 2 or 3 albinos among the casualties and almost deads). But I love my clarias catfish, and if you come down to south florida you'll find em. They cross roads and yards etc. en masse during rainy weather. its amazing. He has been tamed and now eats by hand sometimes and comes up to the front of the tank begging. Not as pretty as an oscar, but way easier to keep. Here you go http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_8tWFbvQ98 eats like a monster. Feeder goldfish, shrimp, guppies, platies, everything.

SM

A: Definitely clarias catfish. Florida ordered them extirpated because of their hardiness. They breathe air. On rainy nights, these "walking catfish" would "walk" to new ponds and prey on whatever they could find. They also breed quite readily. LA

Sam Butler, February 8, 2011

Hello Aqualand, and let me just say I love your site. Anyways, I am thinking of buying a waterdog from my local Petco for $21.99. I know they morph very quickly and was wondering if and when it's a tiger salamander, if it could live with my leopard (if that's what he is) frog or not? Also, I attached a picture of my tadpole I got from Petco on my birthday. I have had Frogger for about 3-4 months now and he has really big back legs and is probably 4" long. Do you think he is a leopard or not? Thanks for your time and please answer! Thank you.

A: Okay, I'll let you say it. A tiger salamander could live in the same container as your leopard frog IF you provide land for the salamander. Frog species are really difficult to discern from their looks. But his 4-inch size makes me lean toward a bull frog, LA

Melody Baril McGinn, Tampa, FL, February 8, 2011
Do you know anyone who breeds or sell A. laterale, blue-spotted salamanders?

A: Not definite, but your best bet is

Michael Shrom

24 East Chestnut St.

Ephrata, Pa. 17522
shrommj@ptd.net LA

Melinda Bailiff, Des Moines, IA, February 8, 2011
Hi Larry, sorry to bother you with so many questions but I have been thinking about upgrading the lighting for my 55 gallon tank and I don't know how. I have a standard 55 gallon tank with the two black lights on top and each just has the one flourescent bulb in it, the tank is the standard 4 ft long by 12 inches wide with the center brace. I want to get brighter light fixtures that will fit on the hoods that I currently have without spending a small fortune. Do you have anything in your store that can help or would new bulbs be all I need? I have seen some new fixtures that have two bulbs on each side where my cheap ones only have the one on each side, can I put new fixtures on it without replacing both hoods? In the tank I have south american cichlids with just plastic plants, rocks, and drift wood so I don't need to grow plants I just want a brighter tank that shows off the colors of my fish. I have 2 Dempseys, 2 Jags, 2 Severums, and 1 Convict in the tank, oh and a pleco. Any advice would be very helpful so I can come into the store and get everything I need this weekend. Thanks!

A: When you say "black lights," I'm assuming you mean your fixtures and not your bulbs. Start by removing your glass top. It's reducing your light. Then you can add two new 24-inch fixtures (one to each side of the brace. Or for more light, add a 48 incher with a brighter bulb. LA

Kevin Zhang, February 8, 2011
I have a blue gourami in my 29 gallon tank and its dorsal and anal fins are clamped. Also, it isn't very active and doesn't eat like it usually does. Do you know if this could be velvet or another disease? And if so, could you tell me a way to treat it? Thanks

A: Probably velvet. Raise his temp to 80F. Then use one of the copper cures. LA

Kevin Zhang, February 10, 2011
My gourami ate a little today, but it wasn't as aggressive as usual. There aren't any clamped fins anymore.

A: Sounds good. LA

Kevin Zhang, February 12, 2011
Bad news... my gourami isn't eating at all even when the food is right in front of it. I don't see any signs of ich or velvet though. It's fins are just a little clamped but it isn't swimming as much as it used to. I raised the temp to 80 like you told me but so far there isn't any improvement. Is there anything else that you could recommend? Also, if salt would help, how much should I put in the aquarium? I have soft water so I think there is salt in there already.

A: Sometimes, no matter what you do, a fish will die. And for no apparent reason. LA

Yasser, NYC, February 9, 2011
I love your website i usually dont do this but i think your site helps me so much i just had to show some great appreciation

i love all the pics and all the info every different fish i buy i learn everything about them

i wish you guys werent so far im located in NYC and i showed all my friends your site and they all use it too

if you ever decide to expand i have tons off saltwater coral reef and fish friends that would love a site like yours they can use Thanks alot

A: Shukran for your kudos. I used to keep several dozen saltwater tanks, but I decided they were too expensive. So I stick to freshwater these days. I doubt I'll go back to salt, but there's plenty of good salt sites on the web. LA

darren li shing hiung, February 10, 2011
Hello! What's up? I really love your site! I hope you will keep it up for years to come!

Anyway, I wanted to ask you something... Well, I guess you have seen worms in over-ripen fruits such as guavas... Do you know what are those worms? They are usually white I guess... I just ate some guavas and found some in it, that's why I wondered if I could breed them in a compost bin and feed them to fish? Thanks!

LA
Larvae harvested from a microworm culture.

A: Excellent question. (I always say that when I know the answer.) Your "worms" are the larvae (maggots) of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. They make excellent fish food -- especially for conditioning bettas for breeding. See Fruit Flies for details on how to raise them. LA

Cassie Raynel, Avondale, CO, February 10, 2011
Dear Aqualand, Good morning (or is it afternoon, there?)
I ran into your site, this morning,and LOVE the free flow of information!
Do you sell products for mail order? I would like to get some of the Indian Almond Leaves, and possibly more goodies, from you.
I live near Pueblo, Colorado, in Avondale 81022. This area is supremely aquarium/aquatic deficient! We need some good aquarium lifers and I, although just learning, am dying to get in ahead of the game.
Thanks, in advance

A: You have requested one of the few items we "ship." Send us $8 and we will send you five of these magic leaves. Sort of like "Jack and the Beanstalk," eh? Google "Colorado Aquarium Society" and you'll find six aquarium clubs out your way. CAS has been around for 64 years. So they can probably help you get "ahead of the game." The CAS was located in Denver last time I visited to judge one of their Fish Shows(probably longer ago than you've been alive). I don't know how far Denver is from Avondale, but you can probably sign up for their newsletter. You can mention my name if you want. I'm pretty sure they'll remember my visit since it was only four decades ago. LA

Larry,
1 new person searched for your name:

A 70 year old male
now living in Asheville, NC

A: Sounds kind of creepy to me. LA

Kennix L., Jersey City, NJ, February 10, 2011
Hello, I'm currently looking for the land snail, Helix Aspersa, for a school science project. I was wondering whether or not you have those snails in stock. Also, are you able to ship them to Jersey City, NJ? Thank you,

A: You can get them from Carolina Biological Supply. LA

Kennix L., Jersey City, NJ, February 10, 2011
Thank you, but I've researched Carolina and called them already. They only sell marine snails with the exception of the Texas land snail, which is only legal in a few states. Do you know of any other seller I could perhaps buy from? Thanks!

A: I know of no other sellers. LA

Soh, David H [PL P], Ames, IA, February 10, 2011
How many varieties of freshwater shrimps do you carry, what are they and what are their prices ? I am also interested in Kuhli loaches and Bumblebee gobies. Are they available and their prices please. Thanks.

A: PLP sounds like Gomer Pyles' job on black & white TV. We nearly always have kuhlis and bumblebees in stock. Shrimps in the store include

Shrimp, Algae Eating
Shrimp, Chameleon
Shrimp, Orange Bee*
Shrimp, Red
Shrimp, Flower
Shrimp, Ghost
Shrimp, Rudolph*
Shrimp, Whisker*
Shrimp, Vampire*

Shrimp, Bumble Bee**
Shrimp, Ninja Bee**

Shrimp, Red Malili Bee **
Shrimp, Dwarf Blackberry Bee**
* Not in stock today

** Not for sale because I'm still researching them and/or I cannot get a quantity large enough to sell..

If you want prices, call me before lunch because I seldom stay past noon, Tomorrow I'm out at 11 am to attend a Highland Park Business Club Board Meeting. Also Fridays are "Putting Away Fish Day," so I'm not taking phone calls. Call on Saturday or later. LA

Brad Walker, February 10, 2011
Hi Larry, We recently have suffered the loss of our last few, and prized fishy pals. We had a die off of our spotted sleeper goby, and our 12 inch Royal Clown Knife.
We have had tank issues before with fish die-offs, but through them all those 2 have always remained, as well as our late Dragon Goby, who recently passed. But every time we test our water, everything comes out fine. We change our filters, treat our water, do water changes, everything that we can. We are now left with a tank full of ghost shrimp, and rosies that never got eaten, and our wonderful Pangassius Catfish (iridescent shark).
Do these fish have natural lifecycles that could make this happen? Or is there something not commonly known to be tested for? We know we don't have hard water, and our tests are still telling us the levels are in normal range, is there something we could be missing? And also, do ghost shrimp multiply in captivity? Just curious as to what we're facing with them turning into temporary pets. Thanks,

A: Sudden die-offs are not a "natural life cycle." And lots of weird stuff is in most water systems that come from rivers, e.g., medications that people flush down their toilets and the goop from fish die-off upstream.. Here in Des Moines we get large surges in nitrates from the corn fertilizer run-off up north. Most test kits only test for four common problems. There's always unexplained weird stuff.

Anyway, you need not worry about the ghost shrimp taking over. Your rosy reds will eat the baby shrimp and your pangassius catfish will eat the adults. Don't be discouraged.
Just gradually add more fish to your tank and keep your eyes open. LA
PS I've had more than a few die-offs in my experience.

I redacted a great deal of Nayr's missive Because I wanted to get to his main points (and mine).

Nayr Noneya, Pennsylvania, February 10, 2011
But then I discovered Synodontis petricola (will refer to from now on as Syno) and I really loved the look of the white on its fins and was thinking about trying to find some to get.
I'm guessing because I have 3 plecos, a catfish, and a snail that's why my tanks always so clean. I almost never do a water change (I still do but I don't think it's as often as everything says to do), which I know I probably should but I think "if it's not broke, don't fix it". Because when water evaporates to a certain level (never more than 25%) in the tank I fill a bucket with warm water, put some treatment in the water to get rid of chlorine and other things, swirl it around and let it sit for a minute or 2 then put the water in and the tank is good until the next time.
The reason I haven't changed this routine is because my fish are growing fine and haven't shown any problems except for the previous mollies and some of the previous platys. It'll be a year I think at the end of this coming summer for having the tank.
Anyways this brings me to my main question that I'm emailing you about.
I read on the website that Synos are apparently very messy and having them have young just means more mess, and frequent water changes should be done.
My new tank I'm planning is planned to be from medium to heavily planted and I plan on having my large pleco in there, along with possibly a few upside-down catfish and some cories.
That being said, will the absolute need for frequent water changes still be necessary for the Syno? I only ask this because it said dirty water is bad for these fish (as with most) and my other tanks water is perfectly clear to me. With the amount of "Cleaning Fish" that will be in the tank will they balance the mess these fish make?
My hopes are to get a breeding pair and raise some fry to hopefully sell some back to the pet shop for some cash or nice in-store credit. (Because I've never seen them in the closest pet store and might possibly be able to become a short or long term supplier.
Although I believe the post on Synos was in 2005 it said? So maybe some of the information is much different now and they aren't as hard to find anymore. In any case I'm asking these questions as a pet owner not as some company or pet supplier because I just love the look of these fish.
I also would like to know if I plan on having Snowball shrimp and Dark green shrimp would the Synos eat them all?
If so then I'll just skip on the shrimp or get them for another tank.
A few things that you may need to know before replying to this.
We're usually low on money, so we've never bought a water testing kit, and never used one on this tank.
I don't really know anything about ph values for fish, what changes them, or anything like that. (of course I looked at them when purchasing my first fish to make sure their basic needs were the same)
Will the Synos survive in a tank that is just: filled with water from the sink, medium-heavily planted, heated of course, the treatment stuff added to get rid of chlorine and other such things, and then mostly left alone for anything to do with water. (not to mention all the cleaning fish in it)
Why I ask this is because I don't want to always be worrying and having to test the water for this and that, thinking "oh great my fish are going to die if they "mess" in the tank too much." You know what I mean? lol
Hope to hear from you (or perhaps someone, I don't know how your site works) soon. Thank You.

A: Your large pleco will bulldoze your planted aquarium. Keep the bristlenoses.
Petricolas are much easier to find these days than they were back in 2005.

Petricolas will eat your shrimps.

You don't need a water test kit if you do regular water changes. Believe it or not, you will not die if you do weekly water changes. I can clean 10 to 20 in an hour. You should be able to do one in half an hour, less time when you get a little practice.

"Dirty water" does not mean water with lumps in it. You cannot see most of the impurities your water contains -- ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, and other dissolved impurities. Cleaner fish cannot eliminate this stuff. Luckily your filter and carbon help keep these levels at a harmless level. Continually adding water to replace evaporated water causes the impurities to build up.

Topping off your tank with warm water fresh from the tap is just asking for problems. Your main goal should be to maintain a stable environment for your fish. Regular water changes help you do this (at next to no cost to you). Make sure your temperature is the same. LA.

Nayr Noneya, Pennsylvania, February 11, 2011
Hello, Thank you for the answers, I appreciate them very much.
However, a few people have told me "keep the bristle noses". I don't intent on getting rid of my other pleco, so I don't know why they say this. The whole reason for getting a very large tank is for him to not be stunned and have more swimming room.
On a side note, believe it or not, but the only time my pleco has done anything to my plants is when I moved one and put it against the back wall, he wiggled it away a little for space for him to swim through and now leaves it alone again. My Platys on the other hand are the "bulldozers" as you say. They mostly leave them alone but once in a while they grab one and yank it up and let it float around then "play" with it I guess.
So to that I can only say it must be my plecos personality to not destroy my plants, other then the plant in the back with a sponge or something that its roots came in, he's never even eaten or sucked on any of the other plants.
I'm sure he may in a larger tank with more plants then I have but there's always that chance he won't.
I have a few more questions since your the only website that has actually answered me, and not rudely to boot lol.
If I do end up buying Synos, what fish are good to go with them and if any plants are more recommended then others? I do believe the website said something about cichlids but I don't like the look of most of them, I like "cleaning fish" and smaller fish species more then large species. However as I've said Plecos are my favorite because of their eventual largeness and the way they look. Maybe it's because cleaner fish or pelcos are more prehistoric looking? I don't know, everyone has their likes and dislikes I guess.
Bichir are another thing I've looked at that look really cool but I believe they would eat any small fish that I like...Black Ghost Knife fish also look cool.
I guess my summary or asking your opinion.
The large tank will be planted, I'm 80% sure my pleco won't destroy the plants, at least until he's actually big them maybe by accident he will, in that case I'll either remove some plants or make more room for him. Anyways, seeing as the pleco is going into the big tank (I mean I'm not giving him away and he needs a bigger tank at some point so he has to), depending on size or growth rate, will a bichir or black ghost knife fish be compatible tank mates? If my pleco has any chance of being eaten by them I won't even double think of buying them because my pleco is "the fish" that I care for most.
If one or both are ok with him what other fish would be alright to put with them?
If neither are ok with him do you have any..I guess you would say uncommon, odd, or prehistoric-looking fish that would be ok in there?
One final question.
Since I'm having a planted tank, I plan or at least think I'm going to get the ADA Aquasoil Amazonia 2 (unless it's too expensive around here). I don't really know anything about this but in pictures it looks real nice like small gravel or something for plants. Do you recommend this or something else? I've also seen Home-made Co2 things for fish tanks out of pop bottles or other such things is this recommended if you can't afford to get a big Co2 set-up?
Here's a video of the DIY Co2 stuff in case you've never heard or seen it (there's more then one video this is just the one I chose because I have that little filter to spread the bubbles around that's in the video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHS6yEDPKSU&feature=related
Again, Thank you very much for your reply and continued advice!

A: Large plecos (regardless of their personalities) will destroy your aquascaping. They eat wood. They eat plants with flat leaves. They knock over all planted vegetation. The larger the pleco, the more destruction they cause.
Synodontis get along with any fish too large to swallow. Ditto black ghost knifefish and bichirs. I don't recommend any particular gravel or CO₂ system because you cannot keep live plants with plecos.

I recommend you give up your plants and add more plecos. LA

Nayr Noneya, Pennsylvania, February 11, 2011
Thanks for all the help. I'm sorry if I'm being a bother but this tank, whether it's 100 or 150 gallons, is a big thing for this household and it's most likely going to be in the dinning room where we eat meals at the table. So I just want the tank to look nice and be "presentable" to any company who comes over. It would be a shame to need to buy this tank for my beloved Pleco and the pleco ends up being the only thing in it visually.
Is there anything you do recommend for in a tank that will have the common pleco in it?
If I can't have live plants, I'm not going to waste money on buying fake ones.
Would you recommend possibly, I don't know...a fine graveled bottom or sand (I think my current gravel may be scratching their stomachs up) and 1 or 2 large peices of driftwood..that way maybe I can get away with having moss grow ontop the logs. Surely a well-fed common pleco wouldn't actually "eat" the large driftwood...would it?
I mean there's gotta be SOMETHING I can decorate the tank with to look nice without it being just an empty tank with a fish in it.
If plants are out, I mean...they HAVE to be out because the whole reason for the tank is the survival of my Pleco so it takes priority over all.
Also my pleco never goes near the top of the tank, water-surface wise, would floating plants be alright? I mean if it's not planted it can't tear it out of the ground, if it doesnt really have leaves it won't want to eat it, and if it does swim by it really wouldn't matter for the plants.

A: Plecos love wood, even well-fed plecos. He will eat the moss on the driftwood as a salad. Just put in large pieces of wood. So what if he chews on them? Then add some rockwork. In spite of your opposition to plastic plants, cichlid-proof plants would work well. Your substrate is entirely immaterial. LA
PS Mopani wood will hold up the best.

Nayr Noneya, Pennsylvania, February 20, 2011
Hm, come to think of it, I have banana plants in my tank. 2 of them, they've spread leaves from one side to the other but I think one may have a small hole in its leaf. However I was thinking it was the snail or the albino pleco. Though I've never seen the snail on the banana plants, but The albino pleco sometimes disappears, in which case opening the lid we find him laying ontop one of the leaves. It's submerged enough for him to still be underwater.
Oh, I'm not sure if I asked, but while I think about it I'll ask anyways.
(By the way, if I had asked already disregard this)
But my tank is getting some green spot algae.
I've started cutting the time the light is on significantly.
However nothing is eating it.
My fish ate the 3 shrimp my family brought home (ghost shrimp) so they obviously won't be doing the job now lol. I think it was because I had put algae wafers in the tank. The fish left them alone until the night I put them in then the next day they were just pieces in the tank. (My platys got taste of an algae wafer once before and they become vicious when one is in there which is why I only put it in at night for the Plecos, about once every 3-4 days or more.
Anyways, is there anything that'll eat the green spot algae? I've been told only one shrimp has been seen eating it specifically and that's not often. The snails never touched it and unfortuneatly my snail died the other day, the plecos had his shell cleaned out by the next day.

A: Nerite Snails make the very best algae eaters. LA

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